PDA‑Experienced Support Worker (After‑School) – Hammersmith at Special People – Hammersmith Broadway, England
About This Position
We are looking for a skilled, calm, and relationshipled Support Worker to work with a child with Autism and a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile. The role involves providing consistent afterschool support in the family home and local community.
This position requires someone who understands the unique presentation of PDA and can work flexibly, creatively, and collaboratively with the child and their family.
Locations | Shifts | Pay/Rate |
Hammersmith, London | Afterschool support (weekdays) | 13.85 15.00 per hour (varies by assignment and experience) |
Key Responsibilities
- Provide afterschool support in the home and community
- Build a trusting, respectful relationship with the child
- Use lowarousal, lowdemand strategies to reduce anxiety
- Support emotional regulation and engagement through preferred activities
- Work collaboratively with parents and the wider team
- Promote independence at the childs pace
- Maintain clear, professional boundaries and safeguarding standards
Benefits:
- Enhanced bank holiday rate.
- Full training and development opportunities.
- Ongoing support from a friendly, committed leadership team.
- Professional development and industryleading training.
- Supportive, inclusive team environment.
- Career progression opportunities.
- Pension scheme.
Essential Requirements
- Strong understanding of PDA and how it impacts communication, anxiety, and daily functioning
- Previous experience supporting children or young people with a PDA profile
- Ability to use a relationshipbased, lowdemand approach
- Confidence in adapting expectations, offering choices, and reducing perceived pressure
- Warm, patient, and emotionally attuned communication style
- Ability to build trust gradually and respectfully
- Reliability and consistency
All offers are subject to Enhanced DBS checking and satisfactory references in line with government regulations and recruitment best practices.
Special People Ltd is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Where a client's dignity requires samesex personal care, we apply a genuine occupational requirement (Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9(1)).