Support Worker & Carer for disabled teenager
2 months ago
London
We are looking for a support worker / carer to join the team around a 18 year old severely disabled & autistic & epileptic teenager with additional health needs.
He lives at home with his family.
He has 24 hour 1:1 support and for some activities 2:1 support (eg. when visiting the pool, special needs bike club, visiting the park etc). But often he just needs a lot of care and then can not do any activities and needs a lot of patience. About the Teen:
He is a friendly, non verbal, very autistic young man with severe epilepsy, a movement disorder and additional health needs. He can walk only with support. He needs help with all elements of his daily life.
He does like to be active (but not in an athletic way) and he loves to be entertained - so who ever applies needs to fit and strong and fun!!!!! But also patient.
He often also needs a lot of care as he can have seizures or other heath issues which lead to him needing to spend time in hospital.
His team of support workers / carers help him with all his daily life & routine which includes supporting and facilitating access to activities and community, help him with learning more self help skills and communication, all of his personal care, help with his laundry and keep his environment clean & tidy. About you: This job will suit someone with some experience supporting a person with disability and autism but has a real interest in disability and autism. You have also studied or are studying something that is related to this position.
You are not afraid to learn care elements like catheterisation and dealing with PEG and Peristeen (ideally you have experience already and other elements of care - otherwise we train you).
You need to be following the behaviour plan (ABA) which we would explain to you and you would be required to attend the team meetings with our ABA Consultant and the rest of the experienced team.
This could suit a student of a related field (eg. Psychology, Nursing, SEN Pedagogy, Physio etc.) as a part time position (26 hr+). There are always extra bank hours additionally available.
You need to be able to swim - this is important to him and a must for this job.
Ideally only a non-smoker / non vaper.
You like dogs and are not afraid of a friendly big dog.
You are open to work some weekends (or most weekends if this suits you) and some bank holidays (shared with the team). You are open to accompany the young person on a summer break and support him.
Both day and night shifts are available and we want to find applicants who are open to both day and night shifts. Do please not apply if you do not want to do waking night shifts at all or no day shifts at all. Ideally this is not your second job but the only job next to studies.
You should also be happy to be the 2nd person in the house when the family away and also happy to accompany him on a week-long summer holiday in the country side.
You would be willing to commit for a minimum of 12 months or more.
You live in North London and do not have too far to travel.
This is a job that could be very fulfilling and is well paid but it is also complex and would be difficult for someone who has no experience or interest for disability and autism.
Please read this full ad before we discuss the position further.
Please when applying already write a few sentences explaining why you are interested. What’s great about this job:
Fantastic training opportunities, with a thorough handover, from long-standing members of staff who know the young person and his family very well.
You will be provided with regular training on his health and care needs which include seizure management, catheterisation, bowel and peg management and behavioural support.
Regular team meetings with the ABA Consultant.
Flexibility around days worked to accommodate studies or other commitments.
This position is very different from a care home position and we would not particularly encourage care home workers to apply.
But you do neede some experience with disability and autism and most importantly an interest in supporting a disabled person. About the Job:
Hourly rate £15 p/h during 6 month training and probation - hourly rate then rises to £16.
Part time position - minimum of 30 hours + (this would include both dayshifts as well as occasional waking night shifts). We would expect you to take on bank hours when colleagues are away (holiday or ill). If part time then only if you are a student and this is your only job.
Full time: 37.5 hours + bank hours. This position could ideally be on a freelance basis with a UTR number (if you are part time and also if you are a student)
Otherwise there could be a full time contract with a care agency that supports the teenager. (we can not offer a Sponsorship Visa).
Ideally this will be your only job as you are a student. Otherwise it will be too demanding on you and not safe for the young person you would be looking after. If interested:
If you are interested please read the ad thoroughly and apply and already initially let us know why you would be suitable for this position. Also let us initially know your availability.
We will then let you know where to send your CV and a relevant cover letter explaining your interest and suitability
(a few sentences might be enough to get the point across (ideally written by you and not AI). Unfortunately we have no time to look at CVs without a cover letter.
Later on we will need 2 relevant recent references and a valid DBS.
We will arrange a face to face interview or a video call (initially) after receiving your CV and relevant cover letter if we feel that you would be a good match for this position.
We look forward to hearing from you.
