Personal Care Assistant to assist a 56-year-old woman living in the Hamsterley DL13 area
Apply at UKCIL.com. Reference: f64af6c3
We are seeking a caring, reliable, and patient Support Worker/Personal Care Assistant to assist a 56-year-old woman living with Huntington’s Disease, a rare and progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects movement, coordination, cognition, and mood.
Our aim is to support her to live as independently and comfortably as possible at home. She has lived with Huntington’s for over 15 years and is in the middle stages of the condition. She remains positive and determined but now requires additional support with daily activities, mobility, and health needs.
Hours and Pay
· Hours: Approximately 37.5 hours per week· Ideally spread across 4–5 days per week, with occasional weekend or evening availability.· Rate of Pay: £13 per hour.· Start Date: As soon as possible.
Main Duties
· The Support Worker will assist with all aspects of day-to-day living, while promoting independence, dignity, and emotional wellbeing. Duties include:· Providing personal care and assisting with dressing, washing, and grooming.· Supporting with feeding through a PEG tube (training provided if necessary but experience is advantageous).· Preparing simple, nutritious meals in line with advice from dietitian and speech and language teams and assisting with drinks. Client is dual fed meaning they can eat some food depending on size and texture but a lot of nutrients is put through the PEG tube.· Driving the client’s wheelchair-accessible van to appointments, therapies, and social activities (full UK driving licence essential).· Supporting with household tasks such as light cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation.· Accompanying and assisting to medical appointments both at home and in hospital settings, including driving considerable distances to specialist hospital sites.· Offering companionship, emotional support, managing sometimes challenging behaviour (due to disease progression) and encouraging social engagement and activities that boost wellbeing.· Supporting pain management and medication administration.· Working collaboratively with family members and health professionals to ensure consistent, high-quality care.
Additional Requirements / Information
· Training: PEG feeding, moving and handling, and Huntington’s-specific training can be provided.
Experience:
· Significant experience in a care setting is required, as the only carer supporting the clients care when family are not home.· Previous experience supporting people with Huntington’s Disease or neurological conditions is highly desirable.· Understanding of mental health needs and cognitive changes is an advantage.· Driving: Full, clean UK driving licence required. Must be confident driving a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.· Environment: All care is provided within the client’s home environment. Must be comfortable with animals, as client has dogs and cats who support emotional wellbeing.· Attributes: Compassionate, patient, reliable, respectful of privacy, maintains confidentiality and able to use initiative.· Safeguarding: An Enhanced DBS check will be required (cost covered by employer).· Right to work in the UK is necessary and sponsorship for a visa cannot be provided through this role.
References from previous employers to be requested prior to successful candidates’ appointment. Family of client will be conducting all interviews.
About Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s Disease is a fatal genetic neurological condition that gradually damages brain cells, leading to difficulties with movement, coordination, speech, and thinking skills, as well as changes in behaviour and mood. There is currently no cure, but with the right support, individuals can continue to live meaningful lives.
This role is ideal for someone who is compassionate, patient, and motivated to make a positive difference to someone’s everyday life.
Key Responsibilities
Services - Meal Preparation
- Personal Care
- Domestic Care
Transportation - Full UK driving license
- Can drive a motability equipped car
Medical - Safe Administration of Medication
Please apply by clicking above or at ukcil.com