Rehabilitation/Support Buddy

Rehabilitation/Support Buddy

Location: Solihull

Salary: £17.00 - £18.00 per hour

We have a fantastic opportunity to work with a personable, engaging and happy young man with a passion for sports cars, trips away, keeping fit and cooking. 

Would you like to be part of the small team enabling Luke to enjoy his interests and hobbies?  If you do, this could be the perfect role for you.

The Client

This Support Buddy job is a unique opportunity to work with Luke, a personable and engaging young man in his early 20’s who lives within the family home in Solihull with his parents and siblings (when they are not away at university or college). 

Luke has cerebral palsy, epilepsy & associated learning difficulties and requires some support in his day-to-day routines however the primary purpose of the role is to help Luke to maintain and continue developing his confidence and independence away from his immediate family.

Candidates should hold a full UK driving licence, have their own car and be confident to join in any driving-based activities. 

Hobbies & Interests

Luke has an interest in going to the gym, swimming, cycling, go karts, going to any kind of car show or meet with a particular passion for supercars.  Luke is passionate about cars and this includes talking about them, building and renovating vehicles, watching programmes on TV and so the list goes on.  

At home, Luke likes to play Xbox, listen to music and he loves his food so the successful candidate will need to be interested in cooking and most especially in trying new healthy recipes with Luke and be mindful to encourage good food hygiene and clearing up skills after cooking.

The Role

It is fair to say that Luke has a busy and varied lifestyle, and we are looking for someone to support Luke to continue enjoying all the things he loves while also ensuring that he is safe, supported and thriving. The successful candidate should also have the ability to be creative in new interests or activities to try with Luke.

Previous experience of working within a care environment on a one-to-one basis would be beneficial however experience is not essential if you have the qualities we are looking for as full training will be given.

What is vital is that you are enthusiastic, kind, have good initiative and common sense, are happy to socialise with Luke’s family and friends at home and when out and about and can remain calm in a crisis! You also need to have a passion to help Luke enjoy life and become as independent as possible.

It is important too that you understand and appreciate the need to maintain professional boundaries and understand the need for respect and privacy when working within a family’s private home.

Other key aspects of the role are:

• Taking Luke to his activities (track days, disabled cycling club and go-karting) and planning lots of different activities for Luke enjoy;
• Encouraging and supporting Luke to be active; going swimming and to the gym using equipment (treadmill & rowing machine); 
• Participating in some of the activities that Luke enjoys – a passion for cars would definitely be an advantage!
• Supervising Luke when out and about either walking or using his wheelchair;
• Accompanying Luke on days out, short breaks and holidays abroad;
• Encouraging and helping Luke to keep his room and ‘man-cave’ tidy & clean;
• Supporting with personal care including toileting, showering, dressing etc;
• Assisting with administering daily medications, using rescue medications and dealing with medical emergencies (full training will be given);
• Meal planning and preparation and helping Luke at meal times to cup up food and making sure he doesn’t choke or eat anything he shouldn''t.

Hours of Work

We are looking for a new Support Buddy (or Buddies) to cover:

Day Shift Hours (between the hours of 08:00 and 22:00) 20 day time hours per week, to be worked flexibly in line with Luke’s needs.

Sleeping Night Hours (22:00 – 08:00) One or two Sleeping Night Shifts per week (10 hours per shift):

There may be additional day/evening hours available and candidates should be able to offer the flexibility to work evening and weekend hours and to accompany Luke on days out, short breaks and holidays within the UK and abroad.

Rates of Pay

Day Shift Hours:Monday – Friday: £17.00 per hour

Saturday & Sunday: £18.00 per hour

Bank Holidays: 1.5 times usual weekday hourly rate

Sleeping Night: Monday – Sunday: Prevailing National Minimum Wage

Bank Holidays: 1.5 times usual weekday hourly rate

Candidates must hold a full, clean UK driving licence and be a non-smoker.

To Apply

If you are excited at the prospective of joining this established care team providing care and support to Luke, please submit your CV.