Personal Assistant for Young Adult – Support, Adventure & Independence

FT01

Gateshead, Tyne and Wear · Full Time, Part Time and Bank available · £14ph · NE10-2026-Aug

About the Role

We are looking for caring, reliable and highly capable individuals to join our team as personal assistants for a young adult supporting adventure and and independence.

You will work directly with the family of the person you support, providing high-quality, person-centred support that promotes independence, dignity, choice and quality of life.

This role is suited to someone who genuinely understands autism, learning difficulties and complex support needs, and who can provide the right level of support while respecting the individual's rights, independence, dignity and personal choices.

We are looking for people who are confident, accountable and proactive, while always treating the person as an individual and respecting their personality, preferences and aspirations.

About the Role

The successful candidates will provide day-to-day care and support, helping the individual to live as independently as possible and participate fully in everyday life.

Good support is not about doing everything for someone. It is about enabling the individual to do as much as possible for themselves, providing appropriate support when needed and helping them to develop and maintain their skills.

You will also need to recognise changes in behaviour, understand potential reasons for distress or escalation, and respond appropriately using positive, respectful and effective de-escalation approaches.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

The successful applicant must:

Have experience working with autistic people and/or people with learning difficulties.
Have experience within a care or support environment, whether professionally, through volunteering, family responsibilities or personal experience.
Have a strong understanding of autism and how it can affect communication, behaviour, sensory processing and everyday life.
Understand and demonstrate neuro-affirmative care, recognising and respecting neurodiversity rather than expecting an individual to conform to neurotypical expectations.
Understand the importance of promoting independence and enabling the individual to have as much choice, control and autonomy as possible.
Have strong awareness of escalation and understand the practical steps required to safely support someone during periods of distress or escalation.
Understand dyspraxia and its potential impact on coordination, movement and everyday activities.
Understand dysphagia and the importance of following appropriate guidance and safe eating and drinking practices.
Be able to establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries while developing a positive, trusting and respectful relationship with the individual.
Have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Be able to maintain accurate, clear and timely records.
Have a strong sense of personal accountability and take responsibility for their actions, decisions and responsibilities.
Be willing to learn new skills and take responsibility for ongoing professional development.
Have an advocate's mindset, ensuring the individual's voice, wishes, rights and best interests are heard, respected and represented.
Be physically able to meet the requirements of the role.
Be able to prepare basic meals and support the individual to learn these skills through demonstration and encouragement.
Be able to maintain the house, car and garden areas to a clean, safe and appropriate standard.
Be willing and able to work as part of a family-based support team and communicate effectively with family members and other professionals.
Be able to communicate, contribute and advocate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.

Other Requirements

Applicants must:
Be aged 21 or over at the time of application.
Have a clean criminal record and be able to provide a satisfactory DBS certificate, or be willing and able to apply for the appropriate level of DBS check as part of the recruitment process.
Have the right to work in the UK

Applications close 2026-09-25