Job Type:
Permanent
Working Hours:
20 hours-a-week
Working Pattern:
Monday to Friday
Rate of Pay:
£13.00 per hour (£14.00 after three-month probation).
Job Profile
Mosaic 1898 are assisting a family in recruiting an experienced Personal Care Assistant for a 6-year-old boy with Cerebral Palsy.
It is essential that the applicant has experience in care and a current full UK driving licence with access to their own vehicle. You must be fluent in English and have flexibility regarding the hours of support required. The hours will be shared predominantly within the two-family homes (Groby and Whitwick). The family will provide all training required and cover this expense.
You will provide the following support:
Provision of physical comfort such as holding, rocking and massage - and provision of emotional comfort by responding to crying cues and pain issues relating to his condition.
Maintain compassionate and kind demeanour, even when the individual is in distress or struggling.
Daily stretches and exercises to improve muscles, due to the ongoing dystonia issues.
Music therapy, play therapy – use of mirrors, bells, lights, sounds, light touch to help stimulate his senses.
Reading to him regularly and encouraging to reach and feel the pages.
Monitor behaviour – if any deterioration in health or mood, this needs to be shared with the parents so that medical advice can be obtained.
Good observation skills – acknowledging when achieves and working with him to improve a skill or movement, ensure this is documented and updated with both parents.
Ability to be able to assist with lifting and ensure comfort when in a hold. Potentially accompanying to doctor’s appointment and other medical facilities for check-ups and treatment.
Encouraging interaction with people around him and his peers, through play therapy and school contact.
Planning activities such as trips, walks, play time.
If there is a presentation of a deterioration in health, activities away from the home or school should be restricted.
He loves animals, but due to the inability to defend, do not allow animals to approach if they are not supervised by a responsible adult. If there are significant loud noises – please move to a quieter area, as this could be distressing for him.
Always ensure suction unit is taken when out, due to risk of increased secretions and potential risks.
Ensure RESPECT form is always with the individual.
Person Specification
A caring and patient approach is more important than experience. You will be reliable and trustworthy with the commitment to accept responsibility. You will be comfortable to work on own, as part of team, and with initiative if necessary. You will always be diligent, confidential, and conscientious.
Communication skills: The PA must be able to communicate effectively. This also involves written communication via the individuals iPad, when documenting shift duties and actions.
Empathy and Compassion: Due to the individuals limited communication skills, understanding and empathising is an important skill and is vital to the PA role.
Patience: it is vital that the PA utilises patience and takes time to understand the individuals body language and varying cues for support.
Flexibility: health needs can change, and routines may need to alter, therefore, the PA will need to be flexible regarding shift patterns. There would also be an expectation that the PA would be flexible during school holidays, where the working hours could be changed to suit the needs of the individuals and the family. Such changes will be done will adequate notice. There will be opportunity to work more hours during the school holidays.
Organisation and Time keeping: Organisation of medication, stock take, feed orders and physio schedules will be a vital part of the role. Time management is essential as routine is very important, especially regarding medication and feeding. The PA would be expected to arrive to shift on time and if there is a delay, the parents are to be notified as soon as possible.
Therapy skills: It would be ideal for the PA to have therapy skills, such as low-grade physio and stretches, music and play therapy. These are not essential and will be part of the training.
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