Summary

Due to the effects of his Cerebral Palsy, James is looking to recruit some Personal Assistants to provide a second pair of hands, whilst working at his home, in office and rehearsal/ performance environments. You can read James’ biography by visiting https://jamesrose.com/biography/.

Job Description

This role involves assisting in rehearsals, undertaking administrative tasks and personal care-related tasks (no previous “care” training or experience required). You will receive on-the-job training. It is important for you to be pro-active and have an ability to read situations to determine how you can best assist in a multitude of contexts.

Example day 1: In rehearsals

James is taking rehearsals and attending production meetings and will need help preparing for the day before travelling to and from his workplace.  This involves travelling on public transport en route to an office or rehearsal/ performance environment.  Your role will vary from assisting James as he navigates corridors and lifts, to typing notes/ emails and assisting James with phone calls/ meetings/ rehearsals (repeating his dialogue in first-person).  In doing this, you might need to take notes on James’ behalf. Regardless of the environment in which you are assisting, your only priority should remain focused on assisting James with his needs.

This is a logistical role and assistants are not directly involved in creative projects other than to assist as required.  However, the role needs a creative mind, social awareness, and an aptitude to deal with the unexpected as well as the mundane positively.

Example day 2: James’ home

James is at home, either working, relaxing, or both. You don’t get an itinerary of how the day is going to unfold.  During the times when James does not need direct assistance, the assistant is expected to be pro-active in finding useful tasks to undertake, e.g.  laundry, washing up, and ensuring that the home is clean and tidy. It is important that floor space is kept clear and that any chairs and foldable furniture is placed back into storage when not in use. James may need you to sit with him to assist him with drinks/ food as and when needed as well as assisting with administrative tasks, as per James’ directions.  James may meet friends and go to social events.

Requirements

• Excellent sense of humour;

• Perfect fluency and understanding of the English language;

• An excellent degree of sensitivity and patience;

• Good social awareness and understanding;

• Good communication and interpersonal skills;

• Good PC skills;

• Close attention to detail;

• A positive personality and the ability to identify and complete tasks as well as taking instructions;

• A flexible approach – ready to inherit new tasks, and to assist in different environments in a focused manner;

• A genuine respect for individual tastes and desires;

• Has own means of transport or able to use public transport;

Hours

Flexible or regular hours are on offer depending upon your availability and preference..  Your typical start time will be at 12pm from which you will be on the hourly rate until James goes to bed. You’ll sleep over in your own bedroom at James’ home. The 8-hour sleep period will be paid as a flat fee.  Currently weekdays and weekends are available.

Rates of pay (gross)

• £17.50 PER HOUR; and
• £70 PER SLEEP.

Responsibilities

• To maintain the title and the spirit of a ‘Personal Assistant’ as opposed to a ‘Carer’ or ‘Care Assistant’;

• To scan and organise music scores;

• To assist with personal care-related tasks, including help with transferring into wheelchair, eating, toilet, shower, dressing as and when required;

• To pro-actively complete household chores (including cooking and cleaning), whilst facilitating my schedule and movements;

• To help with making phone calls and writing e-mails on the go as well as in situ;

• To take notes – hand-written and/ or typed;

• To assist with any other tasks and/ or activities which will facilitate me to live an independent and happy lifestyle, at home and in workplaces;

• To assist with travel using public transport (including London Underground); and

• To assist James with communication directly with others, including phone calls, face-to-face meetings, at rehearsals and media and public engagements, including repeating James’ dialogue in 1st-person.

– Please Note –

A job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, including a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved will be discussed at interview.

How to apply

Applications are to be made viaivemail consisting of thhe following:
• a cover letter detailing why you would like to be James’ assistant;
• an up-to-date CV.

Please email your applications to:  job.applications@jamesrose.org.

Incomplete applications will be DISMISSED.

– Supporting links and documents –

1. Application Process Overview: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mbdv1nzogvuthta/1.%20Application%20Process%20Overview.docx?dl=0;
2. Personal Assistant Role Description: https://www.dropbox.com/s/368siqye2uzg8vh/3.%20Personal%20Assistant%20Role%20Description.docx?dl=0; and
3. Personal Assistant Personal Specification: https://www.dropbox.com/s/sxlchgr6ym1mfyz/4.%20Personal%20Assistant%20Person%20Specification.docx?dl=0.

4. How the role of Personal Assistant relates to the arts: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1jmfnqcm01556ra8p7wp0/PA-and-its-Relationship-to-the-Arts-statement.pdf?rlkey=wfse9s86mns6mwbkaes47f0ol&dl=0

Cerebral Palsy on Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_palsy

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