Vacancy Details

I am a 10 year old girl living in the Banwen area of Neath Port Talbot. I am autistic and have a PDA profile. I am bright, verbal, energetic and funny, although I can find it difficult to communicate my needs and emotions when I am overwhelmed. I enjoy arts and crafts, cooking, swimming, trampolining, parks, rock climbing, gaming and spending time on my devices. I also love family holidays and days out, especially when I know what to expect and have some choice and control. I can be selective with food, but I enjoy choosing and preparing my own meals. When I become overwhelmed, I may need space, reduced demands and a calm adult who will not take my reactions personally. Building trust is very important to me, particularly following difficult experiences with adults. I need someone who will take time to get to know me and help me feel safe while enjoying activities and time away from home.

• Providing cover when my regular PAs are unavailable due to sickness, annual leave or other commitments.

• Supporting me during school holidays and on family holidays, including days out and occasional overnight stays.

• Taking me to activities I enjoy, such as swimming, trampolining, parks, rock climbing, arts and crafts, shopping and other suitable community activities.

• Supporting me to make choices, prepare for changes and regulate when I become overwhelmed, using a calm and low-demand approach.

• Working alongside another PA or my parents as part of a consistent and supportive team.

• Support me at home to provide respite for parents.

• Supporting with independence.

A person who is: 

• Caring, patient, reliable and able to build trust.

• Reliable, punctual and committed.

• Calm and confident when supporting me where I may become overwhelmed or dysregulated.

• Enjoys active outings including swimming, trampolining, rock climbing and creative activities etc.

• Able to work closely with another PA and my parents as part of a consistent team.

• Comfortable working in a family home where there are other children, cats and a dog.

• Experience of autism or PDA is helpful, but the right attitude and willingness to learn are more important.

• Be comfortable to share a room with another PA to support children when away from home.

• A full UK driving licence is desirable. You may drive my Motability vehicle or use your own suitably insured vehicle; mileage is paid at 45p per mile.

Cover post - school holidays and respite.

This vacancy is being advertised on behalf of an individual employer. You will be employed by that individual and not Neath Port Talbot Council. To apply for this job please click the “Apply Online” link and complete the registration/application form. You will only need to complete this form once. If you wish to be considered for more than one vacancy or have any difficulties please contact us on 01639 686140 or email pa-registration@npt.gov.uk quoting the reference numbers of the jobs you are interested in.

This post may require a DBS check (the cost of which will be met by NPTCBC). If this post requires you to work with children then it is compulsory for you to have a DBS check prior to commencement.

If requested by the employer, two satisfactory references must be provided. This post is subject to a trial period of 1 month and a probationary period of up to 6 months.

Wages will be paid on a 4 weekly or monthly basis once a valid National Insurance (NI) number has been provided. You must be eligible to work in the UK and your employer will conduct document checks prior to commencement.

You will receive the appropriate annual leave entitlement as well as all other statutory entitlements, details of which will be set out in your contract of employment. You will also be issued with a Personal Assistants Handbook when your employment commences.

You will be expected to undertake any mandatory training identified as relevant to this post. The cost of mandatory training will be met through the direct payment. Failure to attend mandatory training may result in your employment offer being withdrawn.