Support for autistic woman to live independently CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS 5TH APRIL 2026

The position is to support Lucy, who is 44 years old and on the Autistic Spectrum, to live independently.

Currently she lives with her parents following her recent move to Brighton after the breakdown of a long-term relationship. Her ambition is to live independently in her own flat, with support as needed. Initially the position would be to help Lucy develop her independence as a new resident of Brighton, supporting her to self-manage some fundamental elements of her life whilst at her parents’ house. The role would then progress to assisting Lucy with the transition to her own flat and supporting her whilst living independently.

She needs support and guidance in developing routines and structures to her day. She needs help in understanding how to look after her home, her cat Monty and what jobs need to be done daily, weekly and monthly.

Lucy has a weekly allowance which she uses in part to cover food and household expenditure. She needs help in understanding how to budget and manage both the household and her personal finances from within this allowance. She needs to learn how to plan, shop for and prepare meals that are both healthy and economic. She needs to be encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle, including taking exercise and stopping smoking. She has epilepsy and is able to self-medicate but needs to develop strategies to ensure that she doesn’t forget her medicines, and looks after her personal health, hygiene and well-being as a matter of routine.

Lucy needs help and guidance with planning and time management, as well as how to prioritise important engagements like doctors’ appointments over social activities. Her High-functioning Autism means that she has difficulty understanding other people or accepting different points of view. She needs to develop empathy for others. She can exhibit challenging behaviour when she misunderstands or is frustrated, and needs to be managed sympathetically but firmly.

Following the breakdown of a 15-year relationship in Ramsgate and her move to Brighton, she is keen to make new friends and new romantic connections. Due to her vulnerabilities as an adult with Autism she needs support and guidance in achieving these aims safely. She needs help in understanding the challenges of being in relationships, both romantic and friendship.

Lucy has a part-time job in a local pub and also a voluntary position at a local charity shop. She needs support in ensuring that she arrives at work on time and fulfils the expectations of her employers.

Main Duties:

•To support Lucy whilst she lives in her parents’ home, including periods when they may be absent.
•To assist Lucy in her move to independent living when it takes place, supporting her in making the transition from living with family to living on her own.
•To support Lucy in developing daily living skills including caring for her home, her cat, shopping for and preparing healthy meals for herself on a budget.
•To support Lucy in a manner that combines strong professionalism with a firm yet friendly, supportive approach to helping her achieve a more independent and self-managed lifestyle.
•To support Lucy in developing empathy and appreciation for other people and other people’s reasoning.
•To help her to understand household budgets and personal finances.
•To help her understand employment and any difficulties that may arise from being in work.
•To help her to learn how to independently travel around Brighton and how to use landmarks and/or Google Maps to navigate by herself.
•To support her in making and attending appointments such as doctors and dentist.
•To support her to lead a healthy and safe lifestyle, and take exercise.
•To assist her in developing regular routines and schedules.
•To develop an agreed approach of support and assistance, to report on progress at regular intervals, maintain appropriate safeguarding measures and highlight areas of concern as necessary.

Person Specification:

To be Lucy’s Personal Assistant you should:

•Have suitable experience of working with adults on the Autistic Spectrum. An accredited Autism qualification is highly desirable.
•Be an English speaker.
•Have a positive attitude towards disability.
•Be patient when doing repeated tasks.
•Be prepared to enable and support Lucy to learn and embed life skills in her daily routines, not do for or take over.
•Be able to encourage Lucy to persevere when her preference would be to give up on things which are difficult.
•Be willing to work under the direction of her parents and her sister, when required.
•Be able to work flexibly to meet Lucy’s needs.
•Be able to work at relatively short notice.
•Be able to work in different settings.
•Be able to respond appropriately in an emergency.
•Be able to accept responsibility and work on your own initiative.
•Not discuss our household and domestic circumstances with others, other than with our specific permission.
•Keep information gained in the course of your employment confidential.
•Respect Lucy’s privacy and that of her family and friends.
•Be reliable and trustworthy.
•Have active listening skills.
•Be a non-smoker.
•Not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when working with her.
•Have good general health.
•Be a good time keeper.
•Be a driver and have a clean driving licence (preferred).
•Provide these services with all due care, skill and ability and use your best endeavours to promote the interests of Lucy at all times.

Genders which may apply for this job – Female

Hours per week – 12 hrs per week

Hourly rate – £12.21 gross per hour (£13.21 weekends) - employed rate (From 1st April 2026 £12.71p/h weekdays and £13.71p/h weekends) £13.90 gross per hour (£15.10 weekends) - self-employed rate (From 1st April 2026 £14.70p/h weekdays and £15.80p/h weekends)

Area – Brighton East

Driving licence required – Yes

Employer has pets – Yes

Employer is smoker – Yes

Required care experience – Autism, Learning disabilities, Mental health, Neurodivergence