Autism Support Worker

Overview of the role:

This is a unique job opportunity to work in a family setting and provide personal assistant services and 1-1 support work to an autistic teenage boy. This is not a traditional carer or care home role as no personal care, hygiene tasks or feeding tasks are required. This role is not suitable for those only from a care home or assisted living background. This role would be better suited to a candidate with youth work or youth recreational work experience.

This role requires companionship and social support through supporting his school work, extracurricular activities and domestic living support. Therefore, a clean driving license and access to your own car is essential. The key element of this role is creating structure and a positive environment with the teenagers' new educational programme. This role is dependent on proficient interpersonal skills and an empathetic communication style.

Main duties include:

• Supporting and monitoring his online school work
• Organising and participating in extracurricular activities such as yoga, climbing, walking and the gym
• Facilitating socialisation through yourself and peers at extracurriculars
• Booking and organising day trips and activities
• Working and communicating with the parents to ensure his emotional and physical needs are met
• Assisting in making lunches and breakfasts
• Responsible handling finances for excursions and day trips
• Driving to and from his extracurriculars and

Essential criteria for the successful candidate:

• Patience and compassion for the teenager and the family
• Experience specifically with teenagers and/young adults with autism
• Ideally the candidate is between ages 21-30 years old. Desirable to be male but not essential to the role
• Understanding of homeschooling and education structures is advantageous
• Knowledge and understanding of technology such as computers, laptops and the internet is essential as this is the teenagers special interest
• Proficient mobility and physical fitness as the teenager enjoys yoga, climbing and going to the gym frequently
• A clean driving licence is required to take the teenager to his extracurriculars and also social outings with yourself
• Proficient skills with money and finances when planning activities
• Adaptability is essential to support the teenagers emotional regulation and be self sufficient in problem solving if emotional distress occurs
• This role is dependant on companionship with the teenager so a fun and bubbly personality is advantageous
• Satisfying DBS check
• Understanding of children’s and young adults mental health services and therapies is advantageous
• Help with the parents in running the home while the teenager is studying required

Desirable criteria for the successful candidate:

• Either undergoing or have recently completed an undergraduate degree (or equivalent). Ideally in a psychology/sociology sector or computer science and maths field
• Has an interest in audio production and technology
• Has worked in a family or community environment with autistic or ADHD young people

Pay, hours and role logistics:

• The pay for this role is £13 to £16 per hour, this can be negotiated with the employer depending on relevant experience level
• There are no weekends required for this role and the successful candidate will work 2 days per week 8am-4pm. There is some flexibility in these working hours
• The roles working location is at the family home however activities or day trips outside the home is required
• Mileage will be paid in accordance with HMRC approved mileage rates
• The rota for this role at the moment is ideally Thursdays and Fridays but flexibility in this in November/December is desirable in order to coordinate with the other part-time PA

How to apply?:

Apply for this role with a CV and if selected an interview will be scheduled.

Pay: £13.00-£16.00 per hour

Expected hours: 16.0 – 20.0 per week

Benefits:

• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person