Supporting an Energetic, Sensory-Seeking 8-Year-Old Boy (Autistic, Pre-Verbal) DP7855


Company:	Independent Lives
Salary:	£15 - £20
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Pulborough, RH20 3EG
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	15 Jul 2026
Closing date:	14 Aug 2026

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Summary

Supporting an Energetic, Sensory-Seeking 8-Year-Old Boy (Autistic, Pre-Verbal)

Ref: DP7855

Location: Storrington

Details

This role is to support a Child

Drivers licence required: Yes

Own vehicle needed: Yes

Employment status:

Employed

Hours per week:

Term Time - 4 hrs/week / 8 hrs every other week; School Holidays - 8 hrs/week

Hourly pay rate:

£15 - £20 per hour depending on experience

We are looking for a kind, patient and enthusiastic PA to support an energetic, sensory-seeking 8-year-old autistic son. He is pre-verbal and communicates using gestures, sounds, communication iPad and visuals. He thrives with calm, predictable support, outdoor play and sensory activities.

Duties would include:

- Provide 1:1 support at home or in the community

- Encourage play, movement and sensory exploration

- Support simple communication (gestures, visuals)

- Help regulate during busy environments

- Ensure safety at all times

- Build a fun, trusting relationship

Duties include:

- Other relevant duties as required

- Transportation

- Dressing / undressing

- Bathroom assistance

- My son enjoys (just some examples) – walks, being outdoors, sensory rooms, books, messy play, playfighting with his brother, collecting things (such as books, toy characters, coloured bricks etc), multi-coloured toys, recorded bird sounds, his cuddle toy, sensory lighting, watching his brother play football.

- You will help to identify trigger points that may upset him.

- To teach self-care skills and routines.

- Support with alternative methods of communication to make his needs, wishes and feelings known to those around him.

- To assist him to become more aware of dangers.

- To provide him with opportunities and support to safely try out new experiences. All in all, he is a very happy little boy.

Candidate qualities:

- Patient, caring, reliable

- Understanding of autism

- Confident supporting a pre-verbal child

- Active and able to keep up with a sensory-seeking child

- Able to use initiative and work independently

- Experience in SEN/childcare/support work

- DBS required (or willing to obtain)

- Car driver with own vehicle

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.

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.

Please note: If you do not hear back within three weeks of applying, unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion.

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