Date as Postmarked

Dear Applicant 

Re: Job Ref SR LM

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

Ref SR LM 
Job Description for Personal Assistant/ Carer
The aim of the job is to provide support to a family with a 15 year old boy with Down’s Syndrome & ASD. He lives with his brother & sister, cat, dog and working parents in the Southside of Edinburgh. The role is to support social activities usually on Saturday mornings, 9.30 - 1.30pm, some Friday afternoons (2- 4pm). The role may involve helping with cooking him a simple meal, supporting with travelling to activities, taking to the toilet.
The post is for a minimum 4-6 hours at £15, depending on experience. There are some additional hours available in the school holidays and occasionally at other times outside of school hours (e.g. evenings). This would be discussed and negotiated with the successful applicant. (There is additional funding for 12 overnight shifts for the right applicant, and this would be at a slightly lower hourly rate of pay for 9 hours). 
Initially you will work alongside the parents, to build up a relationship and understanding of their son’s needs, and then you will be supporting with social and leisure activities on a one-to-one basis. You will be taking the child out of his home to activities such as the cinema, Swimming pool, The National History Museum and other activities such as Gravity trampolining, Dynamic Earth, Porty beach. On alternate Thursday evenings he has a space at The Yard Youth Group (7-9pm) for which he needs support.
You will need to be able to use your initiative whilst at the same time being respectful of the family’s wishes and priorities. You will need to have experience of working with children, particularly experience with children with additional needs or disabilities. You will need to have a positive mental attitude. You will have to be reliable, responsible, and energetic for this role.
Although the child can walk, he also uses a wheelchair for getting to places further away from the home. You will be travelling to activities with him by bus, car or on foot. Knowledge and experience of using Edinburgh public transport is desirable but not essential. Travel costs whilst working will be reimbursed. You will need to be in good general physical and mental health to do this job. It is essential you can swim and enjoy being active and out and about. You will need to have physical stamina to manage all the child’s personal care needs, as well as assisting physically on/off buses, swings, toilet etc. 
The child requires assistance with personal care needs, including dressing, toileting and support with feeding. You will need to be confident and willing to assist with toileting including changing ‘pull-up’ nappies. You will also need to be vigilant about what the child eats as he is gluten intolerant. The child also requires support with inclusion in social settings and support with communication in different settings. Close supervision is required when out due to the child’s lack of general safety awareness. Mobile phone use must be kept to a minimum - this is a requirement of the job.
Qualities and Experience required 
Previous experience with disabled children (ie. Down Syndrome, ASD or other Learning disability) 
Reliable and trustworthy 
Able to use your initiative.  
Happy to help with light meal prep. 
Able to offer/engage in play activities.
Friendly and easy-going, with energy and a sense of fun. 
Sensitive and approachable.
Physically and mentally healthy, with a positive attitude. 
Punctual and committed.
Able to follow/ carry out instructions.
Non-smoker. 
Rate of pay is £15 per hour (day rate)
This Post is subject to references: one must be a current/previous employer. 
PVG scheme membership is needed due to the sensitive nature of the job. 
A probationary period of 3 months will be required in the first instance. 

Application Form for Job Reference SR LM

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.