Personal Assistant (PA) for a Child with a Learning Disability Reference: DP/AG07 in Location: [...]

Warrington Disability Partnership; Warrington; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A community support organization in Warrington is looking for a kind and patient Personal Assistant for a 7-year-old child with a learning disability. The role involves support with personal care, school collection, and encouraging independence through engaging activities. This part-time position offers £12.60 per hour and requires a genuine passion for working with children and flexible hours. Training and a clean driving license are also necessary.

Qualifications

• Passion for working with children with additional needs.
• Reliable, punctual, respectful and professional.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training.

Responsibilities

• Collect the child from school twice weekly.
• Assist with all aspects of personal care.
• Encourage play and social interaction.

Skills

Experience supporting children with learning disabilities

Excellent communication

Patience and empathy

Flexibility to adapt to child’s needs

Education

Qualifications in education, childcare, health & social care, or therapy fields

Tools

Alternative communication tools (PECS, Makaton, AAC devices)

Job description

Personal Assistant (PA) for a Child with a Learning Disability

Reference: DP/AG07, Location: Grappenhall, Warrington

About This Job

Hours: 4 hours per week, pattern to be up to twice weekly after‑school collection and/or full 4 hours on a weekend day/evening by prior agreement.
Salary: £12.60 per hour
Start Date: ASAP

About The Role

We are seeking a kind, patient, and reliable Personal Assistant (PA) to support a bright and loving 7‑year‑old child with a learning disability who is non‑verbal and requires support with personal care. The PA will work closely with the child and family to promote a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment that encourages independence and wellbeing. It is important that you can build a trusting relationship with our child, encouraging independence and interacting with her interests, such as music, sensory activities, outdoor play, and physical activities such as swimming and play parks.

Key Responsibilities

• Collection from school twice weekly, with flexibility to work additional hours over weekends and holidays by prior mutual agreement
• Provide one‑to‑one support tailored to the child’s individual needs
• Assist with all aspects of personal care, including intimate care and toileting
• Support daily routines, including dressing, feeding, and hygiene
• Use non‑verbal communication methods (e.g., symbols, gestures, or assistive technology) to engage with the child to ensure the wellbeing of the child and reduce any stress response
• Encourage play, creativity, and social interaction in a calm and structured way
• Always ensure her safety and emotional security
• Work collaboratively with parents and other professionals involved in the child’s care (e.g., therapists or educators)
• Adapt approach and application to the child’s changing needs throughout the day and over time, requiring flexibility

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• A genuine passion for working with children with additional needs
• Experience supporting children with learning disabilities, non‑verbal, sensory processing and/or autism and practical knowledge of how to support them
• Excellent communicator with the ability to use non‑verbal or alternative methods effectively
• Understanding and sensitivity around providing intimate care for a child, whilst encouraging independence in this area
• Physically fit and able to assist with moving, handling, and personal care tasks
• Patience, empathy, calm and compassion, emotionally resilient
• Able to build a trusting relationship with the child and family
• Reliable, punctual, respectful and professional in all aspects of the role
• Flexible and responsive to the child’s changing needs
• Confident in providing engaging and sensory activities at home and in external environments such as play centres and parks to support ongoing learning and development
• Ability to follow care plans and guidance from the child’s family and/or specialists
• Willingness to undertake training relevant to the role (e.g., safeguarding, first aid, communication methods)
• Enhanced DBS check
• References available
• Clean UK driving licence and access to own vehicle

Desirable Criteria

• Qualifications in education, childcare, health & social care, or therapy related fields
• Knowledge and familiarity with alternative communication tools such as PECS, Makaton, or AAC devices
• Previous experience working in a home‑based setting

How To Apply

Please send a cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role to:
Termination: [e-mail]
Reference: DP/AG07
The Independent Living Team will forward your application to the employer, who will arrange interviews directly.