Location: Hamble & North Baddesley, Southampton
Days & Hours: Approximately 20 hours per week as follows: Monday to Friday - 7.30am-9.00am and 2.45pm-5.00pm (Jenny may need to leave school early one day each week to go ice-skating in Gosport - approximately 3 hour round trip). Jenny has swimming on Fridays so you may be asked to stay later and take her with prior notice. Ad hoc hours to be worked in the evening and at weekends for activities and short breaks.
Bank hours also available for this position.
Pay: £17 per hour, Weekdays and £18 per hour, Weekends and Bank Holidays
Driver required? Essential (will need own car to get to work and will need to drive client)
Using Own Vehicle for work purposes? Yes, on duty and to attend training. Business insurance is required and a mileage will be paid, will need to be able to accommodate the client's wheelchair in the boot.
Essential Experience: Working with children/adults with physical disabilities
Desirable: Experience working with children with anxiety/trauma and an interest in therapy and outdoor pursuits.
Pets: Outdoor Cat (at mother's house)
Accommodation (while on duty): Split care arrangement between mother and father.
Interviews Week Commencing: Interviews will happen on a rolling basis. This advert will close when sufficient applications have been received. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application can be considered.
Start Date: ASAP (subject to satisfactory employment checks)
We are seeking an outgoing and nurturing Support Worker to support Jenny, who was born in 2012. Jenny is looking for a Support Worker (Driver/Buddy) who is happy, caring, fun, and has a good sense of humour.
Jenny uses a self-propelled wheelchair to mobilise and she also has a daily + active prosthesis that she can wear to assist walking and sporting activities. Jenny is supported by a Case Manager, clinical Psychologist, Physiotherapy team and Occupational therapist. Jenny's therapy sessions are held in Ringwood and Southampton.
Your role as Jenny's Support Worker will be to drive Jenny to and from school as well as to her various therapy appointments and social activities, and to provide support as required. Jenny attends ice skating and swimming lessons weekly. With positive encouragement Jenny can be adventurous, and she has previously tried kayaking, climbing and inclusive cycling. Jenny can struggle with anxiety and finds busy places overwhelming, so a calming, empathetic and reassuring support worker would be required. Jenny's parents have a split care arrangement and Jenny divides her time between them. Her father, step-mum and 2 younger siblings live in Hamble and her mother lives in North Baddesley.
This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated person to develop existing skills and support this very special young lady. A truly rewarding role for someone who is able to communicate effectively and an ability to work with patience, tact, understanding, warmth and compassion.