Title: Part Time *Female Saturday and Holiday Support Worker
Location: Putney, SW15
Nearest Tube/Station: East Putney
Wage/Salary: Up to £18.00 Gross per hour
Driver Essential? No
Essential: Good understanding/experience of autism and learning difficulties
Start Date: ASAP
Days & Hours: Term Time: Saturday, 10.00am to 6.00pm and School Holidays: Tuesday and Thursday, 10.00am to 6.00pm.
Family/Client Pets: Very friendly Cockapoo
Recruiter: Rachael Cordell
About this client/child:
Annie aged 16 is generally a very happy girl with a cheeky sense of humour. She loves buses, street musicians, swimming, open spaces, the trampoline and her iPad. Annie’s two older sisters (now 19 & 20) are at University so they come and go. Annie has a rare chromosome abnormality - Idic 15. As a result of this she has severe learning difficulties, autism & epilepsy. Physically she is very able but has sensory processing problems and can be heavy handed. Annie is non-verbal but communicates her needs very well through expressions, a handful of signs and by leading you to the desired object. She also used picture symbols and the family are encouraging the use of a picture-based iPad programme. Her epilepsy is mostly nocturnal (averaging a couple of seizures/night), but she does have some seizures while awake in the daytime, although she can go many weeks without one. Annie will need assistance with her personal care - dressing, toileting & showering. She is essentially dry and clean during the day but does have accidents occasionally.
Overview of role:
During Term Time Annie attends a residential school but returns home for weekends. The family are looking for someone to spend time with Annie on Saturday's all year round and an additional Tuesday and Thursday during school holidays. As Annie’s Buddy / Support Worker you will be taking her on many adventures and encouraging her to discover new experiences whilst also promoting her independence and social skills. Annie will need lots of guidance understanding what is safe and appropriate when you are out and about. The family offer £16.00 during the weekday and £18.00 gross per hour during the weekends.
Who this job would suit:
We are looking for a Support Worker with lots of energy, enthusiasm and a great sense of humour. Annie’s autism means she is not always so keen to try new things so you will need to think of creative ways to gain her interest. You will need to have previous experience working with SEN children and have a realistic understanding and expectation of what working with a 16-year-old with severe learning difficulties and autism might entail. Prior experience with epilepsy is not necessary, as the family are happy to provide training, but you would need to be able to stay calm and clear headed when dealing with a seizure. Annie loves music and if you could play the guitar, this would be a big bonus!
What’s great about this job:
This is a lovely family very well known to Snap who are very keen to find someone to join their team. The family have always had very friendly relationships with their previous Support Workers and have kept in touch with them all after they've moved on.
Who is recruiting for this role?
Snap Care will be carrying out all recruitment including shortlisting, recruiter interviews and arranging employer interviews with associated clients.
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