Job Summary
We are a loving family home in Seaham looking for a reliable, compassionate and proactive Personal Assistant/Care Support Worker to support a gentleman living with a progressive neurological condition (Lewy Body/Alzheimer's Dementia). We also have a family dog who is a huge part of our lives and daily routine.
The role requires a high degree of emotional intelligence and adaptability. On his 'good days', he needs purpose and independence and your role will be to take a step back, let him lead and subtly oversee his safety without making him feel managed or patronised. On his 'bad days', you will provide more active, direct care and reassuring companionship.
You will be a vital support system for a busy household, providing localised supervision that allows the primary caregiver to work from home (with view to returning to work outside the home 1-2 days a week) and manage school and college routines for our children with complete peace of mind.
Duties
- Meal Preparation & Timely Nutrition: Preparing or supporting preparation of light, nutritious meals, snacks and drinks. Encouraging regular hydration and ensuring meals are eaten on time.
- Dementia Care & Behaviour Management: Applying gentle, person-centred dementia techniques to promote calmness and meaningful engagement. Utilising validation, positive redirection and calm de-escalation strategies to help manage anxiety, confusion or behavioural fluctuations.
- Dog Walking & Outings: Accompanying him on local walks with our dog, as well as trips to the local shops or community activities. Acting as a safety net to prevent falls or confusion while helping him maintain this vital part of his daily routine.
- Adaptive Companionship & Safety: Supporting him in the garden or at home, knowing when to step back and let him manage independently, and when to step in to provide physical support or reassurance.
- Health & Mobility Support: Providing gentle medication prompts to ensure prescriptions are taken on time, and encouraging/prompting him with his physical therapy exercises.
- Personal Care & Dignity: Assisting with personal care, including managing incontinence issues with the utmost respect, discretion and dignity.
- Light Domestic Support: Helping to maintain a clean, organised home environment. Utilising quiet moments (such as when he is resting) to help with light duties around the house.
- Household Continuity: Providing a calm reassuring presence in the home to support the family overall.
- Clear Communication: Using patient, clear and non-patronising communication, giving him ample time to process and respond. Maintaining clear, open communication with the family to provide updates regarding his well-being.
- Errands & Transportation: Assisting with local errands and providing local transport/chaperoning to medical or social appointments if needed.
- Emergency Preparedness: Knowing how to respond calmly and effectively in the event of a sudden fall, confusion spike or medical emergency.
- Key attributes: Compassionate, patient, punctual and trustworthy. Highly perceptive and adaptable with an understanding of neurological conditions that can fluctuate hourly. Exceptional verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Qualifications
- Self-Employed Status: Registered as self-employed with HMRC (able to provide a UTR number) and holding valid Public Liability Insurance.
- Experience in Dementia Care: Proven experience in social care or dementia support with an understanding of positive engagement, managing behavioural changes, and dementia de-escalation techniques.
- Compassionate, patient and highly perceptive with an understanding that neurological conditions fluctuate hourly. Able to read the room, respect autonomy and maintain a peaceful presence.
- Animal Lover: Must be entirely comfortable with dogs, happy to participate in dog walking and comfortable with a pet in the home environment.
Requirements
- Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to undergo one)
- Full Clean driving licence
- Valid first aid/emergency first aid training or willingness to undertake is highly desirable.
- Must be reliable and local, living in or close to Seaham
Pay: £14.00-£16.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
