Social Support Assistant DP5171


Company:	Independent Lives
Salary:	£14
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Horsham, RH12 5HB
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	15 Jul 2026
Closing date:	14 Aug 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

Social Support Assistant

Ref: DP5171

Location: Horsham

Details

This role is to support a woman

The candidate should be a woman*

Drivers licence required: Yes

Own vehicle needed: Yes

Employment status: employed

Hours per week: 1 day most weekends (6-8 hrs) ideally a Saturday, but this is flexible. 1 or 2 days per week during school holidays, if possible, but not essential. Occasional overnight stays a bonus but in no way essential.

Hourly pay rate: £14

I’m a 18 year old girl, with Cri du Chat Syndrome. I have a great sense of humour and love being in the company of others. My family are looking for a PA to support me out in the community.

I’m a very healthy, happy, sociable girl but due to my learning disability, I struggle with my communication. I can say certain words and I use Makaton signing to help me communicate. Makaton knowledge isn’t vital as you’ll soon pick up my words and signs as you get to know me. I am physically able, but am slow and need help on stairs and uneven surfaces. Your role will include taking me for fun days out while assisting with personal care, feeding, communication, mobility and keeping me safe.

I LOVE -

- Swimming, bowling, cinema and trampolining.

- Seeing friends and making new ones.

- Eating out, going to the shops and visiting the library.

- SEN events, fun days, and fairs.

- Animals, farms, and zoos.

- Singing and dancing to music - ABBA most of all.

- Sensory play, water, bubbles, sand etc.

- Looking back at photos of myself on days out - take lots

Duties include:

- Personal grooming

- Eating and drinking assistance

- Transportation

- Companionship

- Dressing / undressing

- Bathroom assistance

- To support our daughter in accessing activities at your home or in the wider community, and allow her to try new activities and gain new experiences.

- To transport our daughter to and from such activities as required.

- To support our daughter in her mobility, and safety on stairs or uneven surfaces.

- To assist our daughter with her communication needs, including supporting her use of Makaton, learning to understand her own particular forms of communication, and encouraging choice and decision-making.

- To help our daughter with feeding when appropriate, and encourage independent feeding where possible.

- To manage our daughter's personal care needs, toileting and changing as appropriate, including following any toilet training schedule that may be in place.

- To ensure our daughter's health and safety at all times.

- Extra days available in school holidays. Occasional overnight stays would be a bonus

Candidate qualities:

- Reliable with good timekeeping

- Fit and healthy to undertake the required duties

- Patient and possess excellent interpersonal skills

- Honest and cheerful

- Creative

- Able to speak and read English to a reasonable standard

- Enthusiastic and encouraging, able to engage our daughter in activities.

- Knowledge of Makaton is an advantage but not essential.

Additional requirements

Non-smoker preferred or someone willing to refrain from smoking during working hours

Notes:

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check if required. Please note, if you are successful in your application for this position, you will be either engaged directly or employed by the individual employer and not by Independent Lives. The role may be offered on an employed or self-employed basis, depending on the suitability and agreement with the employer. If the role is employed, you will be entitled to holiday pay and issued an employment contract.

*Exemption for gender is claimed under the Equality Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9

Apply for this job

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.