Personal Support Assistant – Job Description

Job title:                          Personal support assistant

Accountability:           Support Leads & Project Manager

Contracted hours:    0-hour contract, (Anticipated minimum of 12 hours) Evening and weekend hours only.

Holidays:                        28 days per year, this will be pro rata.

Length of contract:  Initial 3 months’ probation leading to a permanent contract.

Salary:                             £12 – £12.50 depending on experience.

PODS is an award-winning charity based in Telford and Wrekin who supports families with children aged 0-25 with an additional need or disability. Alongside a Carer friendly accreditation, we support and employ a diverse small team of employees, we are a compassionate employer who strives to support and develop our workforce. 
PODS is developing a new and exciting service, a personal support company, Nurture & Grow. This will offer respite and support for children and young people with disabilities, this service will be care in the community by the community.

As a Personal Support Assistant, you will be required to provide care and support in the community for children and young adults with additional needs and disabilities ensuring you follow our charities vision and ethos of practice.
You will be expected to attend all required training and team meetings to ensure that the quality of care is to the highest standard possible.
You will create a compassionate, nurturing environment for the young people in your care, we expect you to build high quality and caring relationships with the young person and their families/carers whilst remaining within professional boundaries.
You will be required to plan appropriate activities for your day and complete official paperwork within the scope of the role.
It is essential that the applicant has a person-centred approach to their working, we aim to provide all the tools that you will require to enable the young person and their families to strive.

Applicants will be asked to complete an Enhanced DBS check as well as provide 2 references.

The successful applicant will be completing their duties in line with their job, as well as offering support during charity-based activities under guidance from team leaders.

Please note this role is an in-person role with no possibility of ‘home’ working. This role will include lone working, and travelling with and without clients, reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

To ensure the success of this role, it is essential that the applicant must have previous experience with children / young people with additional needs or disabilities, this could be from work or personal experience.

Some in person training will take place during the summer holidays during the daytime at our summer scheme, the remainder will be completed online.

Roles and responsibilities:

• You will be supporting clients in a community setting.
• You will be required to plan and provide stimulating and fun activities in a safe and controlled environment.
• You will be able to assist and nurture with developing life skills and independence.
• You will be expected to complete daily logs and official documentation.
• Attendance at one staff meeting a month is mandatory. Meeting is held on the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm.
• You will be given the tools to learn new skills and adapt the way you care.

Qualifications and Experience:

Essential

• Be approachable, calm and operate within the policies set within PODS.
• Experience in caring for children/young people who have a disability/additional need.
• An Enhanced DBS is essential to the role.
• To be able to work independently and as a team.
• A driving license is essential to this role.
• You must have access to a reliable and suitable vehicle that is insured for business use (Expenses will be reimbursed)
• Right to work in the United Kingdom, we don’t sponsor visa applications.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• The Ability to keep records and information confidential in line with data protection.
• The ability to understand relevant legislation to the role.
• Good communication skills in a variety of settings with a range of people.
• To have an understanding and an empathy for parent carers.
• To create a judge free environment and understand every family situation Is different.

Desirable

• Safeguarding training
• First aid training
• Food hygiene

To apply please complete an application form and a covering letter outlining why you feel you are suitable for the role to and send it to Nuture@podstelford.org

For more information and an informal chat please call Louise on 07767975592.

Your application and any subsequent interview information will be kept on file for a maximum of 6 months following the closing date. If you wish for them to not be retained, please inform Louise via email louise@podstelford.org