Personal Assistant (Social Care) Faversham


Company:	Direct Payments
Salary:	12.71ph
Hours:	Part-time
Working pattern:	Remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	2 Nov 2026
Closing date:	2 Dec 2026

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Summary

Job Description

Job title

Personal Assistant / Support Worker – Part-time position

Hours

Up to 16 hours per week during term time and up to 30 hours per week during non-term time.

The available hours are likely to be divided between two or three Personal Assistants, so applicants interested in a smaller number of regular hours are welcome.

The working pattern will be agreed with the successful applicants and may include some daytime, evening and occasional weekend work.

Rate of pay

Hourly rate to be confirmed, subject to the local authority-funded rate, plus agreed expenses.

Paid holiday entitlement, pension contributions where eligible, and training and development opportunities are provided.

Location

Based in Dunkirk, near Faversham, with activities taking place locally and in the surrounding area.

Outline of the role

We are looking for a calm, reliable and supportive Personal Assistant to work with a young adult with autism who also experiences significant anxiety and mental health difficulties.

The role is to provide practical support, companionship and encouragement, helping him to participate in educational, therapeutic, social and community activities and to develop greater confidence and independence.

No personal care is required.

Main responsibilities

• Supporting the young adult to prepare for and participate in activities in and outside the home.

• Supporting him to attend educational, therapeutic and social activities.

• Driving him to and from appointments, activities and places of interest.

• Supporting him to access the local community, including shops, cafés, clubs, leisure activities and public places.

• Helping him to develop independent-living skills, including cooking, shopping, using public transport, budgeting and managing daily routines.

• Supporting with planning and preparing healthy meals.

• Assisting with appropriate household tasks, including shopping, laundry, cleaning and general organisation.

• Helping him to plan and structure his time.

• Supporting him to take gradual steps towards greater confidence and independence.

• Providing calm and appropriate support during periods of heightened anxiety, following agreed plans and guidance.

• Building a consistent, trusting and respectful working relationship.

This is not an exhaustive list. The successful applicant may be asked to undertake other similar and reasonable tasks relating to the role.

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• Relevant experience of supporting autistic people, people with additional needs or people experiencing mental health difficulties. This may have been gained through paid employment, voluntary work or personal experience.

• Experience of building positive and trusting relationships.

• Willingness to learn about the young adult’s individual needs, communication preferences and support strategies.

• Willingness to undertake relevant training.

Desirable

• Experience or training relating to autism, anxiety, OCD or mental health.

• Experience of supporting young adults to develop independent-living skills.

• Experience of person-centred, therapeutic or trauma-informed approaches.

• First-aid qualification.

• Basic food-hygiene training.

Formal care qualifications are helpful but are not essential where the applicant has suitable experience, personal qualities and a willingness to undertake training.

Skills, abilities and knowledge

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to remain calm and provide appropriate support during periods of heightened anxiety, following agreed plans and guidance.

• Ability to work patiently and at the individual’s pace.

• Ability to encourage independence without being overly directive or confrontational.

• Ability to work independently and use initiative while respecting agreed boundaries.

• Ability to support with practical household tasks and prepare healthy meals.

• Ability to communicate appropriately with family members and other professionals involved in th

Essential requirements

Essential • Relevant experience of supporting autistic people, people with additional needs or people experiencing mental health difficulties. This may have been gained through paid employment, voluntary work or personal experience. • Experience of building positive and trusting relationships. • Willingness to learn about the young adult’s individual needs, communication preferences and support strategies. • Willingness to undertake relevant training. Desirable • Experience or training relating to autism, anxiety, OCD or mental health. • Experience of supporting young adults to develop independent-living skills. • Experience of person-centred, therapeutic or trauma-informed approaches. • First-aid qualification. • Basic food-hygiene training. Formal care qualifications are helpful but are not essential where the applicant has suitable experience, personal qualities and a willingness to undertake training.

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