Personal Assistant – Weekend Day Shifts (Independent Living)
Location: Crossgar area
Pay: £15.50 per hour
Hours: 18–26 paid hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Shifts: Saturday and Sunday starting at 8am
Start date: To be agreed, but no later than September 2026
About the Role
I am a physically disabled woman in my mid-30s, employing Personal Assistants to support me to live independently in my own home. I am a busy professional, have an active social life and share my home with two small dogs.
This is a person-led role: you will work with me and take direction from me, enabling me to live my life on my own terms.
You will join a small, established team of eight Personal Assistants who work together to provide consistent and reliable support. You will normally work alongside another member of the Personal Assistant team.
Contract Details
- Permanent contract
- Six-month probationary period
- 18–26 permanently contracted, paid hours each week
- Paid breaks
- Workplace pension in accordance with statutory auto-enrolment requirements, subject to eligibility
Pay, Training and Annual Leave
- £15.50 per hour
- Fully paid training provided at the normal hourly rate, including training in hoist use
- 5.6 weeks’ paid annual leave per year, calculated pro rata
- Annual leave year runs from April to March
Hours and Shifts
This vacancy is for regular weekend day shifts:
- Saturday and Sunday
- Start time: 8:00am
- Agreed regular finish between 5:00pm and 9:00pm
- Between 9 and 13 paid hours per day
- Between 18 and 26 contracted hours per week
Your regular finishing time and contracted hours will be agreed at appointment, based on your availability and the requirements of the role.
Optional additional hours may be offered through annual-leave cover, agreed shift swaps and occasional extra support. Additional hours are not guaranteed.
Annual leave and requests for shift changes are managed collaboratively to support both individual needs and reliable cover.
What the Support Involves
The role may include:
- Assistance with personal and intimate tasks, including dressing, grooming and toileting
- Supporting safe transfers using a hoist, in line with agreed guidance and training
- Supporting mobility using appropriate equipment and techniques
- Practical support around the home, including light cleaning, laundry and tidying
- Supporting meal preparation and eating when required
- Supporting me to attend appointments and social activities
- Accompanying me out and about as part of an active lifestyle
- Helping with the day-to-day care of my two dogs
Travel and Driving
A driving licence is not required. Travel during working hours will mainly be in my vehicle, and you will not be expected to use your own car for the role other than commuting to and from work.
Essential Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be aged 18 or over due to the requirements of the relevant insurance arrangements
- Have a respectful, person-led approach and be willing to take direction
- Be reliable, punctual and able to commit to the agreed hours
- Communicate clearly and appropriately
- Understand the importance of privacy, dignity and professional boundaries
- Be willing to learn and follow agreed ways of working
- Be able to work cooperatively as part of a small team
- Be comfortable working in someone’s home
- Be comfortable around dogs
Desirable Criteria
It would be helpful, but is not essential, to have:
- Experience working as a Personal Assistant or in a similar home-based role
- An understanding of disability rights or the Independent Living movement
- Experience using mobility equipment, or a willingness to learn
- A flexible and cooperative approach to working within a small team
No formal qualifications or previous care experience are required. Attitude, reliability and respect are more important than experience. Full training will be provided.
Students, applicants new to Personal Assistant work and people seeking a regular weekend role are welcome to apply, provided they can commit reliably to the agreed hours.
Pre-employment Requirements
Appointment will be subject to:
- A satisfactory Enhanced AccessNI check
- Evidence of the right to work in the UK
Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Equal Opportunities
I am committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Recruitment decisions will be based on suitability for the role and alignment with the values of independent living.
Reasonable adjustments can be made during the recruitment process for applicants who require them.
How to Apply
Please apply through Indeed with your CV, outlining any relevant experience or transferable skills.
In your application, please confirm:
- Whether you are available to work both Saturday and Sunday
- Your preferred regular finishing time between 5:00pm and 9:00pm
- The number of hours you would ideally like to work each weekend
- Whether you would be able to start by September 2026
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Downpatrick BT30 9EH: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:
- Care: 1 year (preferred)
- Home care: 1 year (preferred)
Language:
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
Work Location: In person
