Personal Assistant

• Suffolk Independent Living 
• Address: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
• Salary: £14.21 per hour
• Hours: up to 16 hours per week available, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday on a flexible rota, during term time and school holidays
• Contract: Permanent. Required as soon as possible        
• Reference: 0973

Suffolk Independent Living are looking for a Personal Assistant.

The main purpose of this role is to provide an extra pair of hands to help manage our busy household’s needs and to support the family's daughter in gaining confidence while accessing the community.

About the role

The family of six live in a household that try to keep quiet, calm and well regulated.

The four children, eldest (19 years old male) has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and the youngest, an 8 year old male, has Autism, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance).

This role specifically involves supporting the two middle children; a 12-year-old female who has ASD and learning difficulties and a 10 year old male who has AuDHD and learning difficulties.

The household are animal lovers with five cats, so you will need to be comfortable around pets, which is essential.

The parents would value a gentle, patient approach and are looking for someone who can slot into our routine and provide a stable, supportive presence for their children.

As the successful candidate, you will be directly responsible to the parents; who, in line with the requirements of the role, expect a high standard of professional conduct, characterised by patience, reliability and absolute discretion.

Regarding privacy, there is a strict confidentiality policy, no information, photos or videos regarding the children or our household are to be shared on social media/sharing platforms or with third parties.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Personal care for the daughter.
• Supporting the daughter with mobility.
• Emotional support for the son through play.
• Taking the daughter out on walks/shopping.
• Taking the daughter out to swimming, and in the future the son as well.
• Light housework, i.e. tidying up after the children, or occasional household duties.
• Supporting the parents if taking more than one child out.
• Preparing snacks or drinks for the children.
• Reading, playing, sensory activities and interactive gaming.

Personal Specification 

Please refer to these when submitting your application.

Essential Criteria

• A valid driving licence in order to drive our automatic wheelchair accessible vehicle (training will be provided by the parents on the use of associated equipment e.g. harnesses) 
• A calm demeanour 
• Experience with children with additional needs
• Competent Swimmer
• Physically able to support our daughter with mobility

Desirable Criteria

• First aid training
• Training in supporting people with ASD, ADHD and PDA
• The ability to work independently after the candidate is confident in their duties
• Previous SEN experience
• Friendly, reliable and flexible

Duties and responsibilities may change from time to time after negotiation with the post holder.

Summary terms and conditions

• Hours, days and times of work:

1. Shifts are 9am until 5pm on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (with flexibility to switch between Thursdays and Saturdays)

2. The hours of work will be between the above noted days, on a flexible agreed rota-basis. 

3. The hours of support will be during term time and school holidays.

• Annual leave: The annual holiday entitlement for this position will be equivalent to the work normally done during 5.6 weeks (statutory entitlement).
• Expenses: You will be reimbursed for prior agreed expenses incurred as part of the role.
• Sick pay: I do not operate a private sick pay scheme but provided you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
• Pension: I do not operate a private pension scheme, but I will fulfil my statutory obligations via the NEST pension scheme.
• The post is subject to the following.
• Background check: A satisfactory Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure and Barring Service check is required for this position (this will not be at the applicant’s financial expense).

1. If you have been convicted of a criminal offence, please send these details to SIL in a separate email or in a sealed envelope together with a stamped addressed envelope.  This will not be shared unless you are shortlisted for the post.

• References: If successful, you will be required to provide details of two referees, one of which must be your current or most recent employer, or character references if you have not been employed.
• Trial period: This post is subject to a probationary period of 3 months.

To find out more

Please read the Job Description (Word).

Please read the job description on our website

How to apply

To apply, please submit your completed Application Form on the SIL website, quoting the job reference number 5344.

Alternatively, please post your application to: SIL, Unit 21, IP City Centre, 1 Bath Street, Ipswich, IP2 8SD.

Closing date:  1.00 pm, 6 November 2026.

Please note

• If you have previously applied for this position and have been unsuccessful, we kindly request that you do not reapply for this role.
• Must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this role, sponsorship not available.