SEN Buddy / Support Worker in Putney, SW15. A part-time opportunity for an energetic, upbeat and fun Buddy to spend time with Annie aged 19 and explore new activities together. Up to £20.00 Gross Per Hour.
Title: SEN Buddy / Support Worker
Location: Putney, SW15
Nearest Tube/Station: East Putney
Wage/Salary: Up to £20.00 Gross per hour
Driver Essential? No
Essential: Enthusiasm, energy and smiles are most important. Self-starter who is happy to embark on adventures whatever the weather. Experience supporting a client who is autistic. Ability to stay calm and think sensibly if client has a seizure. *This role is open to female applicants only.
Desirable: Experience supporting a young adult with additional needs and epilepsy. Happy to take a client swimming
Start Date: 18th May 2024
Days & Hours: Saturdays, 10.00am to 6.00pm and School Holidays: Monday & Wednesday OR Tuesday & Thursday 10.00am to 6.00pm
Family/Client Pets: Friendly Cockapoo
Recruiter: Rachael Cordell rachael@snapcare.co.uk
About this client/child: Annie, almost 19, is generally a very happy girl with a cheeky sense of humour. She loves buses, street musicians, swimming, funfairs, open spaces, the trampoline, meal deal picnics, books and chilling with her iPad. Annie has severe learning difficulties, autism & epilepsy. Physically she is very able but has sensory processing difficulties and can be heavy handed. Annie is non-verbal but communicates her needs very well through expressions, a handful of signs, using symbols in various ways, and by leading you to the desired object. 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 school and will be starting at a day college in September doing a Life Skills course. The family is looking for someone to spend time with Annie on Saturdays all year round and two additional days during the school holidays. As Annie’s Buddy / Support Worker you will be taking her on many adventures whatever the weather and encouraging her to discover new experiences whilst also promoting her independence and social skills. Annie will need lots of guidance and help understanding what is safe and appropriate when you are out and about. The family visit Annie’s grandparents a few times a year in Nottinghamshire and would be looking for someone who has the flexibility to accompany them. There will also be occasions a couple times a year for proxy parenting, up to a week in length and always during school holidays. The family offers £18.00 during the weekday and £20.00 gross per hour during the weekends. Overnight rate is £60.00.
Who this job would suit: We are looking for a *female Buddy / 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 out of the box and be creative to gain her interest while accepting the hit-and-miss nature of her engagement in things. Previous experience working with a young adult with additional needs and a realistic understanding and expectation of what working with a 19-year-old with severe learning difficulties and autism might entail is essential. Prior experience with epilepsy is not necessary; the family is happy to provide training, but you will need to be able to stay calm and clear-headed when dealing with a seizure. We are looking for candidates with the commitment and intent to stay in the job for a couple of years - otherwise it can be emotionally hard on Annie.
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 has always had very friendly relationships with their previous Support Workers and has 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.
Please note: *Where a specific gender is stated as essential, gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement in accordance to paragraph 1, of schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 for female or male worker to work with our client.