Date as Postmarked

Dear Applicant 

Re: Job Ref XX XX

Please find enclosed job description and application form for the post with the above job reference.

Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living is only passing this information on to you on behalf of an individual employer. If you are short-listed you will be contacted by our client. 

If you do not hear from them within four weeks from you submitting your application, you can presume that you have been unsuccessful. Unfortunately we are unable to write to those who have not been short-listed for interview. 

Thank you for applying for the job and good luck with your application!

Yours faithfully

Admin Support
Independent Living Team

Job Description for Personal Assistant
For a child
Job reference: EP GI

The aim of the job is to provide assistance to a good natured and happy 9 year old girl with learning difficulties, with guidance from the parents.

A Personal Assistant is employed to help the young person to live their life the way they choose whilst at the same time giving them guidance and support to make safe decisions. 

Getting the right assistance when I need it will allow me to lead my life independently when I am older.  A Personal Assistant will enable me to do this by listening to the guidance provided by my parents and following any instructions along with spending time to get to know me. I am non-verbal with limited communication through gestures and PECS therefore it is vital that an employee has good communication skills with the patience to give me the space and opportunity to express myself. I love using PECS to choose my favourite action songs to be sung to me. I enjoy having stories read to me and exploring new spaces, though have no sense of danger and need close supervision when outside of the house. 

The job involves assisting me with a variety of tasks. Like most people, my day varies so it is difficult to list every task that is expected of a Personal Assistant. 

After a period of familiarisation with the duties, you will be required to assist me with the following tasks, sometimes without close supervision from my parents.  The post holder will therefore need to be able to work on their own initiative whilst at the same time be respectful of my own and my parents’ wishes.

It is essential that the postholder is a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme or is willing to join.

The job requires providing assistance with the following:

Personal Tasks

•	Assistance with eating and drinking, either finger foods or spoon fed
•	Changing her nappies
•	Dressing / undressing if, for example, clothes get wet
•	Giving her a bath and putting her to bed (only for overnights)
•	Administering daily oral medication (only for overnights)

Social Tasks

She loves new spaces and activities and we encourage the employee to suggest new outings. The below activities are examples of things she has previously enjoyed:
•	Visit to a museum or children’s library
•	ASN accessible arts & crafts session
•	Swimming
•	Going out for a walk or to the playpark
•	Lunch at a café, especially if there is cake!
•	Doing action songs with her that she chooses using PECS
•	Reading her books at home
•	Children’s theatre shows (e.g. during Edinburgh Festival)

Other Tasks

•	Assistance traveling to activities e.g. driving or on the bus
•	Any other reasonable task

Personal Qualities

•	This post would be perfect for someone training in SLT, occupational / physiotherapy or education / child development
•	Some experience of working with disabled children would be useful but not essential
•	It would be preferrable if you have a car in order to access activities outside the city centre
•	Honest and reliable
•	Have the patience and understanding to learn how Eve communicates and give her space/opportunities to do so
•	Non-smoker
•	Applicants will be required to join the PVG scheme if not already a member, fees will be covered by the employer

The Post

This post will involve either a Saturday or Sunday once or twice a month from 10am-4pm, with additional days available over the holidays. Hoping to incorporate an overnight every 3-4 months. Day/hours flexible to suit employee’s availability. Rate of pay is £15 per hour.

Application Form for Job Reference EP GI

Please complete the following application form as accurately and in as much detail as possible.  Shortlisting for interview will be based on the information you supply on the application form read in conjunction with the job description.
Please do not send in the job description or covering letter when returning the application form.  If you require more room please use a separate piece of paper with the job reference and your name on it.  If completing electronically press tab whilst the final cell in a table is selected to insert a new row.
Personal Details
First name		
Surname		
Telephone number		
Mobile number		
Email 		
Postal address		

Town		
Post Code		

Declaration
I agree that the information I have supplied in this application form is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.  I understand that any deliberate falsification on my part will be viewed as gross misconduct and may lead to my dismissal without notice.
Signature of applicant: ____________________ Date: ________
(Please leave the signature and date blank if you are sending in the form electronically.  If you are invited to interview, you will be asked to sign a printed out copy then.)

History of Education and Training
Name of Educational Establishment	From	To	Qualifications Gained	

				

				

				

				

				

				

				

Work History (including voluntary work)
Name of Employer	Position held	From	To	Main Duties and reason for leaving 	

				

	

				

	

				

	

	

Additional Information 

After reading the Job Description carefully, consider what skills and experience you have that are suited to this post.  They need not have been gained in paid employment and may include special interests relevant to the post.  	

	

Work Availability
Please indicate in the table below what times you would be available for work within the period of the day, ie. if you are available from 7am to 11am Tuesday morning, then put 7-11am in the box.  If you are available for any time write yes and please write no if you are not available.
	Morning	Afternoon	Evening	Overnight	
Sunday					
Monday					
Tuesday					
Wednesday					
Thursday					
Friday					
Saturday					
Supporting information
You do not need to fill out the following questions if they are not applicable to the post.  eg. if the job description does not ask for PVG membership, then you may put N/A in the space provided.
Are you a member of the PVG scheme? 		
PVG membership number		
Do you have a full driving licence valid in the UK?		
Do you have the use of a vehicle?		
Would you be prepared to use the vehicle for work?		
When could you start work?		
Where did you see this post advertised?		

References
Please write the names and contact details for two independent people who would be willing to provide a reference for you.  One of them should be your most recent employer.  Note that a telephone number is not sufficient. Please indicate whether referees may be contacted prior to interview. 
	Reference 1	Reference 2	
Name			
Position			
Relationship to you			
Title of referee 			
Company			
Postal address			
			
Town			
Post code			
Email 			
Telephone number			
Mobile			
			
May be contacted prior to interview? 			
Please return the completed application form by 4 pm on the closing date. 
Application forms may be returned by email to: pajobs@lothiancil.org.uk or posted to:  PA Recruitment, Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living, Norton Park Centre, 57 Albion Road, Edinburgh EH7 5QY.
Please ensure that you have paid adequate postage to send any application forms by mail as LCIL does not accept postage otherwise.