Personal Assistant/Companion (summer holiday position) – St Boswells – 3133

Job Description

We are seeking a caring, reliable, and enthusiastic Personal Assistant/Companion to support a friendly 20 year old young woman who returns home to St Boswells during the summer holidays from her residential school.

This is a temporary, short term position for the duration of the summer holiday period, making it an ideal opportunity for someone seeking flexible work over the summer months.

The young woman is severely visually impaired/blind, has cognitive difficulties, limited mobility, and asthma. She is a long cane user and enjoys spending time in the community, shopping, visiting Edinburgh attractions, attending theatre performances, and events such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The successful candidate will provide support that enables her to enjoy these activities safely while promoting her independence, confidence, and wellbeing.

This role would suit someone who is patient, encouraging, and able to build a positive and supportive working relationship.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Accompany and support the client during community outings and social activities.
• Provide sighted guiding support and assist with safe mobility and navigation in a variety of environments, including busy public spaces, public transport, and uneven terrain.
• Assist with the safe use of public transport and access to community venues and activities.
• Provide support with personal care needs when required, including assistance in public toilet facilities, ensuring appropriate hygiene and safety.
• Encourage and promote independence wherever possible.
• Assist with activities that promote physical wellbeing and mobility, working at a pace suitable for the client.
• Build a positive, respectful, and professional relationship while providing companionship and social support.
• Support attendance at day trips, leisure activities, theatre visits, festivals, and other planned outings.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will be:

• Kind, patient, and caring.
• Friendly, approachable, and have a good sense of humour.
• A confident communicator with good interpersonal skills.
• Practical, adaptable, and able to use their initiative.
• Trustworthy, dependable, and respectful of confidentiality.
• Comfortable supporting a young adult with disabilities and additional support needs.
• Understanding of, or willing to learn, sighted guiding techniques and best practice when supporting a person who is severely visually impaired/blind.
• Confident supporting a long cane user in a range of community settings.
• Experienced in working with vulnerable adults (desirable but not essential).
• In possession of a full driving licence and appropriate business insurance (advantageous but not essential).

Terms and Conditions

• £14.78 per hour.
• Approximately 11 hours per week, with flexible scheduling.
• Mileage and reasonable expenses paid when accompanying the client on outings.
• 5.6 weeks’ annual leave per year (pro rata).
• PVG Scheme membership and satisfactory references required prior to employment.

Additional Information

Working hours are flexible and will be agreed with the successful candidate. The role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to a young person’s independence, confidence, and quality of life while supporting enjoyable and rewarding community based activities throughout the summer holiday period.