Care and Support Assistant - AH Hereford, England
Job description
Care and Support Assistant needed in Hereford to join friendly team providing 24 hour care to a lady with cerebral palsy.
1 x 24 hour shift per week paid at £253.44 per shift.
Additional hours are available.
Personal Assistant to Disabled Employer
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Salary £253.44 per 24 hour shift
Location Hereford
Hours 1 x 24 hour shift a week
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About Me
I am a woman in my 50s, living with cerebral palsy. For over 20 years I have lived independently in a bungalow on the edge of Hereford with 24 hour support provided by a team of Personal Assistants. I am unable to mobilise and am non-verbal so I use a wheelchair and a communication aid which I operate with my eyes. I am also able to text and send emails using my communication aid and enjoy keeping in touch with family and friends this way. Because of difficulties I have had in the last few years with swallowing, I am now PEG fed. I am bright and intelligent and like to think for myself and make my own decisions. I like to be busy and enjoy getting out and about as much as possible, either for local walks in my wheelchair or further afield in my wheelchair accessible van.
Job details
Personal care.
- I need complete assistance with all aspects of personal care which must be provided in a sensitive manner. This includes bathing, dressing, toileting and PEG feeding as I am unable to swallow. It also includes administering medication via the PEG tube. Clinical training will be provided for these procedures. I require hoisting for all transfers within the home.
Housekeeping
- Domestic duties will include cleaning, dusting, laundry and ironing, making and changing the bed, helping to care for a small garden and keeping my van clean inside and out.
Admin
- I require support with dealing with letters and bills and answering phone calls, and any paperwork will need to be filed appropriately. I am able to send and receive emails and texts on my communication aid but may, at times, ask for some assistance with these. I operate my communication aid using an eye-gazer and this needs to be positioned correctly by my PAs. If I do not have my aid with me, my PA will be required to assist with my communication using a communication card.
Accessing all activities including shopping and trips out
- My PA may be required to drive my wheelchair accessible vehicle to enable me to access shops and activities. They will also need to push me in my wheelchair which has battery powered assistance for longer distances.
Hobbies and social activities
- I love getting out and about and especially enjoy going to the cinema and theatre, shopping, spending time with friends, and going for drives in the countryside. I enjoy doing arts and crafts, listening to audio books, playing games on my computer and writing my life story. Spending time in the garden is important to me in the summer and going for walks on the many local accessible paths. I am always open to new ideas and up for trying new things! I also do a lot to support and speak up for other people with disabilities and am a Trustee for a local charity that works with disabled adults. My life is never dull!
About You
I am looking for a PA who is outgoing with a good sense of humour and plenty of patience. You will need to have good communication skills and be calm and unflappable. It can take me a while to talk using my communication aid so it is very important that my PAs are patient and give me the time to speak. You must respect privacy and have a good understanding of the need for confidentiality. A good attitude towards independent living is essential to understand a disabled person and their right to make their own choices.
A knowledge of IT would be a definite advantage and you will need to have basic literacy skills. Due to the nature of the work, a certain level of physical fitness will be needed.
The ability to be flexible with your working days is essential as some weekend work will be required and you may be needed to help with holiday or sickness cover. Due to the nature of some of the personal care tasks a female worker is preferred. Team work is important as well as being able to lone work and use your own initiative.
Previous experience of similar work is desirable but not essential as full training will be given but you must have a willingness to learn.
About Direct Payments
Direct payments are available from Local Authorities for people who have a care and support plan in place following a social care assessment. An amount of money is allocated to purchase the assistance and care needed to live independently.
I should stress that I will be your employer and have full responsibility for recruitment, contracts, supervision, pay, training etc. A support service assists me in meeting my responsibilities as an employer.
I am also looking for relief staff to help out on an occasional basis.
Job Type: Part-time
Part-time hours: 24 per week
Salary: £253.44 per day
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Night shift
- Weekend availability
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: One location
Reference ID: AH
