Job Description

Personal Assistant to an Active 18-Year-Old

Near Winchester, Hampshire | £600–£1,000 per week | Live-in option available

Could you be the person who helps an adventurous young woman make the most of every day?

We are looking for a kind, energetic, sociable and resourceful Personal Assistant to join a small, trusted care team supporting an engaging 18-year-old young woman with cerebral palsy.

She is a full-time wheelchair user, attends college and has a busy, active life. This is much more than a traditional care role. You will be helping her get out into the world, pursue her interests, spend time with friends and family, travel, enjoy new experiences and live as independently and fully as possible.

Much of the time, it genuinely feels less like "work" and more like spending time with and supporting a young person you enjoy being around.

About her

She loves:

• 🎵 Music, concerts, singing and shows

• 🏊 Swimming, cycling and physiotherapy

• 🐶 Animals – especially her dog

• 🍳 Cooking and crafts

• 💬 Chatting and having good company

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Spending time with family

• ✈️ Travelling in the UK and overseas

• 🌟 Getting out and about and trying new things

She has a very positive outlook and loves having fun. We are looking for someone who will share that enthusiasm and help make things happen.

What the role involves

You will provide a combination of personal care, practical assistance, companionship and support with an active lifestyle.

This can include:

• Providing physical support with movement, activities and transfers

• Supporting therapies and physiotherapy, both on land and in water

• Providing continual postural support

• Personal care, including toileting, showering and feeding

• Supporting communication

• Helping with phone and computer access

• Helping manage equipment

• Coordinating a busy schedule

• Preparing meals and helping with everyday household tasks

• General tidying (but not weekly deep cleaning)

• Accompanying her to college, activities, appointments and social events when required

• Supporting family trips and holidays, including overseas travel

• Making sure she is not left alone

• Providing emotional support, encouragement and companionship

You will work alongside her mum and siblings in the family home and become an important part of her wider support team.

The person we're looking for

You don't need to have worked in care before. Full training will be provided, including training in her specific postural management and care needs.

More important is your personality and approach.

You will ideally be:

Sociable – someone who enjoys conversation, meeting people and getting out and about. She doesn't just need supervision; she needs someone who can build a genuine relationship based on trust.

Resourceful – able to adapt to changing plans, busy days and the occasional unexpected challenge.

Energetic – happy to be active and involved rather than sitting on the sidelines.

Strong and physically capable – comfortable helping with transfers, pushing a manual wheelchair and moving equipment.

Patient and kind – able to provide encouragement and support while maintaining a positive atmosphere.

Motivational – someone who enjoys celebrating achievements, finding opportunities and encouraging her to experience everything life has to offer.

Risk-aware – confident enough to facilitate adventures while thinking carefully about safety.

Easy-going – comfortable becoming part of a friendly family environment and fitting naturally into family life.

A self-starter – proactive and able to help organise activities, solve problems and make plans happen.

And above all, someone with a good sense of humour who enjoys having fun.

Experience

Previous experience is welcome but not essential.

Relevant backgrounds could include:

• Personal or social care

• Nursing

• Physiotherapy

• Teaching

• Learning support

• Youth work

• Sports or activity coaching

• Working with young people with additional needs

However, the right attitude, personality and willingness to learn are more important than formal experience.

Hours & pay

This is a full-time position with varied hours, rather than a conventional 9–5 role.

The schedule will be agreed with the successful applicant but will include:

• Evenings

• Weekends

• Some overnight stays

• Additional hours during college holidays

There is no requirement for regular daytime hours during term time, as she attends college. During school/college holidays, however, considerably more hours will be available and required.

Pay:

• £14.32 per hour during daytime hours

• £12.96 per hour for sleeping nights

• Typical earnings of approximately £600–£1,000 per week, depending on the agreed schedule and holiday hours

Live-in option

There is an optional opportunity to live on site in a private detached annex, comprising:

• Bedroom

• Bathroom

• Living room

• Kitchenette

• Private parking

This could suit someone looking for a combination of a good income, accommodation and plenty of spare time to study, pursue hobbies or combine the role with other flexible work.

Accommodation can be provided either as part of the full-time arrangement or, where appropriate, only during periods when you are working.

Essential requirements

You must:

• Be a non-smoker

• Hold a UK or EU passport

• Speak fluent English

• Hold a full UK/EU-recognised driving licence and be confident driving an automatic long-wheelbase van

• Be a confident swimmer

• Be comfortable around dogs and cats and happy to help with their care

• Be comfortable travelling, including overseas travel

• Have no phobias or other limitations that would significantly affect the role, for example a significant fear of lifts

• Be physically capable of carrying out the requirements of the role

• Have a good sense of humour and enjoy fun-filled, active days

A long-term opportunity

Initially, we would begin with a trial period so that everyone can get to know each other and make sure the arrangement works well.

Our hope is that the successful person will stay for the long term and become a trusted and valued member of the care team and family.

This is a genuinely unusual opportunity for someone who wants their work to have a direct and meaningful impact. You will have the chance to build a close relationship with a young person, support her independence and confidence, and help her experience a full, active and exciting life.

If you are warm, capable, adventurous and think you'd be a great fit, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Details