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Buddy / Support Worker
Location: Thetford, Norfolk
Salary: £15 - £17 per hour
Hours: Term Time - 16 hours per week / Non-Term Time - 22 hours per week
Have you experience of supporting young people with learning and physical disabilities? Are you able to calmly manage occasional challenging behaviour?
Would you like to provide support during the ongoing journey to adulthood for this endearing 16 year old young man as he becomes more independent and gains confidence away from his immediate family?
The Client
The Client, is a 16 year old young man who lives at home with his family and their dog. He has cerebral palsy and although independently mobile, the combination of this and his hypermobility can cause him to struggle with his motor skills.
He also has some learning disabilities and there are times when he can find it hard to communicate his needs or desires. He can feel overwhelmed in situations or environments which are unfamiliar or if there are too many choices, therefore he is best supported by someone who is patient and calm, who will help him make informed decisions and communicate these effectively.
Hobbies & Interests
He is passionate in his interest in farming and loves caring for the farm animals as well as having a particular interest in tractors with a fascination as to how they work and a strong desire to become a tractor driver or mechanic in the future.
He also enjoys trips out into the local community and especially the local bowling alley and when at home, likes to play on his PS4 with his favourite games being Farming Simulator.
The Role
He is at school during term time and the key aspect of this role is to help him to foster his independence outside of the school environment. The successful candidate will need to be sociable, adaptable, imaginative and fun to enable and support him to access social and leisure facilities within the local community.
The successful candidate should have the ability to nurture and encourage his life skills, encouraging him to keep his bedroom clean and tidy, cleaning up after meals, planning activities and outings as well as helping him to manage his money.
This role is working on a one-to-one basis with him and is based within the family home. Candidates should be reliable and trustworthy, with excellent communication, social and planning skills with experience of risk assessments. You should be confident in the use of IT equipment and have a good understanding of confidentiality, respect and privacy. An ability to maintain a supportive, caring relationship whilst retaining professional boundaries will be key.
A clean, full UK driving licence is a requirement for this position.
Available Hours
Term Time (16 hours per week)
- Tuesday 15:00 – 20:00
- Thursday 15:00 – 20:00
- Saturday 09:00 – 15:00
Non-Term Time (22 hours per week)
- Tuesday 10:00 – 18:00
- Thursday 10:00 – 18:00
- Saturday 09:00 – 15:00
Rates of Pay
- Monday to Friday: £15.00 per hour
- Saturday & Sunday: £17.00 per hour
- Bank Holidays: 1.5 times usual weekday hourly rate
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable organisation, please do not hesitate to apply.
