Personal Assistant (PA) – Community/Social Support - BJ
| Posting date: | 30 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £13.45 per hour |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 29 April 2026 |
| Location: | Tarbolton, Mauchline |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Ayrshire Independent Living Network (AILN) |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 02/Tarb/BJ |
Summary
Job Title: Personal Assistant (PA) – Community/Social Support for Child with Additional Needs
Location: Tarbolton
Hours: 3 hours per week (52 weeks per year)
Rate of Pay: £13.45 per hour
About the Role:
We are looking for a compassionate and patient Personal Assistant (PA) to support an 8-year-old boy, who has a diagnosis of Autism and social and communication difficulties. He is on the waiting list for an ADHD diagnosis and has a condition called PICA, which means he may try to eat non-food items. He has limited verbal communication and uses Makaton signs, gestures, and visuals to express his needs and feelings.
The young person requires constant supervision due to a complete lack of danger awareness and a tendency to leave the home unsupervised if doors or windows are left unlocked. Support is especially important when out in the community, where he relies on the use of reins or a wheelchair to stay safe.
Main Responsibilities:
Provide 1:1 support to the young person during community-based outings (e.g. local park, soft play, walks, or suitable activities).
Use Makaton, gestures, and visuals to aid communication and encourage interaction.
Help him stay engaged and focused during activities, offering reassurance and redirection as needed.
Ensure his safety at all times, especially in public settings—he requires constant supervision and a high level of vigilance.
Encourage social interaction and support him in developing his confidence and communication.
Follow guidance and routines provided by his parent to ensure consistency and security.
Key Requirements:
Experience working with children with Autism, communication difficulties, and/or additional needs.
Ability to use or willingness to learn Makaton and visual supports.
Patience, empathy, and a calm, child-centred approach.
Excellent awareness of safety and risk, particularly with children who have no awareness of danger.
Willingness to assist with the person’s mobility needs, including use of reins or wheelchair during outings.
Reliable, punctual, and able to build trust with both Joey and his family.
Additional Information:
This is a flexible, part-time role ideal for someone with SEN experience or training.
You will be supporting Joey in community/social settings, giving his parent some respite and Joey the opportunity to enjoy new experiences safely.
Enhanced DBS check and references required prior to start.
To Apply:
If you are a sociable and supportive individual who enjoys helping others make the most of life, we would love to hear from you.
To apply, please contact recruitment@ailn.org Ref – 02/Tarb/BJ
Post subject to successful reference and PVG checks.
Two up to date Reference contacts are required one of which must be from a present or previous employer. In addition, a new PVG enhanced disclosure will be required prior to appointment (disclosure cost to be met by the employer).
**PLEASE NOTE THAT AILN ARE NOT THE EMPLOYERS. WE ARE A SUPPORT & MAILBOX SERVICE FOR INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL EMPLOYERS AND HAVE NO INPUT INTO WHOM THEY DECIDE TO EMPLOY***
Location: Tarbolton
Hours: 3 hours per week (52 weeks per year)
Rate of Pay: £13.45 per hour
About the Role:
We are looking for a compassionate and patient Personal Assistant (PA) to support an 8-year-old boy, who has a diagnosis of Autism and social and communication difficulties. He is on the waiting list for an ADHD diagnosis and has a condition called PICA, which means he may try to eat non-food items. He has limited verbal communication and uses Makaton signs, gestures, and visuals to express his needs and feelings.
The young person requires constant supervision due to a complete lack of danger awareness and a tendency to leave the home unsupervised if doors or windows are left unlocked. Support is especially important when out in the community, where he relies on the use of reins or a wheelchair to stay safe.
Main Responsibilities:
Provide 1:1 support to the young person during community-based outings (e.g. local park, soft play, walks, or suitable activities).
Use Makaton, gestures, and visuals to aid communication and encourage interaction.
Help him stay engaged and focused during activities, offering reassurance and redirection as needed.
Ensure his safety at all times, especially in public settings—he requires constant supervision and a high level of vigilance.
Encourage social interaction and support him in developing his confidence and communication.
Follow guidance and routines provided by his parent to ensure consistency and security.
Key Requirements:
Experience working with children with Autism, communication difficulties, and/or additional needs.
Ability to use or willingness to learn Makaton and visual supports.
Patience, empathy, and a calm, child-centred approach.
Excellent awareness of safety and risk, particularly with children who have no awareness of danger.
Willingness to assist with the person’s mobility needs, including use of reins or wheelchair during outings.
Reliable, punctual, and able to build trust with both Joey and his family.
Additional Information:
This is a flexible, part-time role ideal for someone with SEN experience or training.
You will be supporting Joey in community/social settings, giving his parent some respite and Joey the opportunity to enjoy new experiences safely.
Enhanced DBS check and references required prior to start.
To Apply:
If you are a sociable and supportive individual who enjoys helping others make the most of life, we would love to hear from you.
To apply, please contact recruitment@ailn.org Ref – 02/Tarb/BJ
Post subject to successful reference and PVG checks.
Two up to date Reference contacts are required one of which must be from a present or previous employer. In addition, a new PVG enhanced disclosure will be required prior to appointment (disclosure cost to be met by the employer).
**PLEASE NOTE THAT AILN ARE NOT THE EMPLOYERS. WE ARE A SUPPORT & MAILBOX SERVICE FOR INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL EMPLOYERS AND HAVE NO INPUT INTO WHOM THEY DECIDE TO EMPLOY***
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.