Become a Carer

The prime function of an Origin live-in carer (sometimes referred to as a Personal Assistant, PA or Personal Care Assistant) is to facilitate a spinally injured person to lead life in the way they want to… to enjoy independence, spontaneity and freedom of choice.

As no two clients are the same so no two carers are the same either and by definition therefore no two care assignments are the same. Most of our clients live on their own but many live with their partners and family. As about 90% of people with spinal injuries are men, most of our clients are male, although we do have female clients too. All our clients are adults.

The very variety within the PA’s role is what many people enjoy; the challenge of adapting to new environments, understanding of varying needs and the consideration of the individual’s working and social life requirements. Often with no previous experience of care work and sometimes from overseas all our PAs have one thing in common – a positive attitude!

Origin carers live with the client for 1-2 weeks at a time helping them with everyday activities such as getting in and out of bed, washing and toileting, shopping and cooking, driving and not forgetting nights out on the town! Trust, friendship, respect, understanding and compatibility are critical to the relationship between live in carer and client and can be mutually rewarding with many carers remaining in close contact once they return home or progress their career.

Although all live-in care job assignments are different there are some generally common activities which may offer more insight to the role of an Origin PA.

Client personal care

Assistance with washing, bathing, changing, dressing
Helping in and out of bed, wheelchair
Full toileting, bowel and bladder routine
Assistance with personal grooming, hair care, nails, feet, eyes etc.

General domestic duties

Laundry, washing and ironing
Shopping
Cooking and serving meals
Light housework such as dusting, vacuuming
Simple maintenance of wheelchair and other equipment

Extra mural activities

This is when the client’s individual lifestyle most influences the role you play.
Some clients work full time, others are studying; some have active involvement
with disabled sports or a busy social life with family and friends. Of course, some
opt for a quieter, home based way of life with interests in computers, painting,
music or even the Stock Market.

Help with everyday activities such as:
Making drinks
Assistance with correspondence
Paying the inevitable bills
Moving things in the home
Driving
Assistance in and out of the car/van
Daily and holiday escort assistance
Care of pets

Could you be an Origin Personal Assistant?

PAs come from all different walks of life but generally are enthusiastic with a lively personality, enjoy an active lifestyle and have a good standard of spoken English. Good health is essential as there is some lifting, bending and physical requirements in this type of work. As our clients do have some set routines you need to be able to combine these with the flexibility necessary to support a commitment to an independent and spontaneous lifestyle.

As you are living in someone’s home we expect all Origin live-in carers to conduct themselves in a polite, discreet manner with respect for a client’s privacy.

Although you will be working on your own, with the responsibilities that this entails you will have the continuous support of the Care Manager and her team as well as a 24 hour helpline should you need it.

We arrange assignments on the basis of matching suitable people together and carer’s choices regarding who they work with are always given consideration before jobs are concerned.