Personal Assistant; Independent Living Support

Overview

What will the job involve?

As a Personal Assistant, you will provide assistance to enable independent living. The job involves helping with daily living tasks, including personal care, household work and other general mobility assistance. Personal care includes full support with physical assisted transfer and personal hygiene required for toileting, showering and other personal care tasks. The role may include providing emergency support as needed, requiring quick, calm action to resolve emergencies in a timely manner.

You must be comfortable resolving these emergencies on your own, using techniques learned during employer training.

• Provide daily living assistance and support for independent living.
• Assist with personal care and hygiene, including transfers and toileting/showering as required.
• Perform household tasks and general mobility support as directed.
• Respond to emergencies with awareness, assessment, and rapid, calm action following training.

• Excellent communicator with the ability to listen carefully and communicate clearly with the employer, ensuring safety and consent.
• Patience, efficiency and a strong work ethic.
• Ability to undertake tasks both supervised and unsupervised, to a high standard.
• Professional and positive attitude; respect for others and professional boundaries.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing working habits as requested by the employer.
• Non-smoker and free from substance use.
• Physical fitness, stamina and strength to meet the demands of the role.
• Excellent personal hygiene and adherence to hygiene protocols.
• Kitchen skills, especially safe use of gas hobs, avoiding burns, safe use of sharp utensils, and following food safety protocols.
• Honesty, timeliness and trustworthiness; act in the employer’s best interests as determined by the employer.
• Ability to maintain privacy and confidentiality; confidential information must be kept secure and deleted after employment ends.

No prior experience is required; a willingness to learn, commitment and a good work ethic are valued. All practical skills will be considered. Preference is given to those without care industry experience to ease learning new routines.

Weekly hours are typically 20–30, increasing to around 45 during busier periods. Flexibility is required, including evenings, weekends and overnights. Shifts may involve overtime or changes in requested hours to meet needs; all hours are paid at the same rate.

Training will be provided by the employer. During training, you will have fewer working hours and overnights will not be requested. Moving and handling training for hoisting may be helpful; you may choose to pursue the course independently. The employer must be confident you can work overnight as requested; exclusive overnight work is not possible. Statutory resting periods apply between and during shifts.

To apply, send your CV, a cover letter and three referees for the employer to contact. If your application is complete and no further information is required, the next stage would be interviews. Note that only selected candidates will proceed to interviews.

If successful, you will be asked to apply for a PVG disclosure through Disclosure Scotland at your own cost; this must be countersigned by the employer. This work is suitable for recent graduates and those with graduate visas. The employer cannot offer sponsorship or work visas.

Workwear:
There is a dress code; appropriate clothing and footwear are typically expected, with any extra purchases the employee’s responsibility. PPE such as gloves will be provided. Covid masks are generally not required except in specific circumstances.

Contract:

There is a 6‑month probationary period. Contracts are renewed regularly on a yearly basis after the first year. Thank you for your interest in the role.