Female Personal Assistant – MEHNCL

Location

Great Park, Newcastle upon Tyne

Hours

13 hours per week (school holidays) with scope to increasing over time to 27 hours per week

Rate of Pay

£13.50 per hour

About Melody

Melody is a vibrant and beautiful 7-year-old girl who thrives on sensory experiences. She loves her springing chair, bath time, and playing with water. Food brings her great joy—especially when she can combine it with water play!

Melody is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Global Developmental Delay. While she can walk, her mobility is limited, and she primarily uses a buggy. She has no awareness of danger and can become dysregulated when unable to express or meet her needs. During these moments, she may display aggressive behaviours or self-harm (e.g., biting or head banging).

Despite these challenges, Melody has a joyful and curious nature. With the right support, she continues to grow and develop new skills every day.

Job Purpose

We are seeking a caring, calm, and dedicated Female Personal Assistant to support Melody both at home and in the community. We are looking for someone who can offer support for a 24-hour period to allow mum some much-needed time away from home. The ideal candidate will be proactive, patient, and motivated to help Melody learn life skills, stay safe, and feel supported during difficult moments. This role will require school transfers via taxi being managed if mum is on respite breaks.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct support to Melody in daily activities at home and outdoors
• Clean up after Melody and help maintain a safe, tidy environment
• Encourage and assist in developing life skills (e.g., eating, dressing, personal care)
• Support toilet training with patience and consistency
• Encourage physical activity such as walking and balancing, while ensuring safety
• Be vigilant to ensure Melody’s safety, particularly due to her lack of danger awareness
• Respond to dysregulation with calmness and patience—support her to self-regulate safely
• Change nappies and support personal hygiene routines
• Support Melody overnight so mum can spend time away from home

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Patient and understanding of sensory and behavioural needs
• Friendly and able to build a positive rapport with Melody and the family
• Calm under pressure, especially during challenging behaviours
• Quick thinking, able to respond effectively to unexpected situations
• Detail-oriented, noticing subtle cues in Melody’s behaviour
• Encouraging, supporting Melody’s independence and development

Additional Information

Support and guidance will be provided by the family

Role involves working closely with the family, respecting their routines and preferences

There is a genuine occupational requirement for the holder of this post to be female in accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and Equality Act 2010 schedule 9 paragraphs 1 – 4.

This vacancy will close as soon as a suitable candidate is appointed.

At the time of starting their employment, the successful candidate must have permission to work in the U.K.

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