Purple Match

Must be based in or near Durham City. Preference will be given to
postgraduates, researchers, or individuals with strong ties to the
university community

Personal Assistant (PA)/Support Worker
Job ref.
Personal Assistant PUR-952-132 Durham University Student (part time)
About the Direct
Payment Holder
We are seeking a compassionate and experienced Personal Assistant to provide
tailored support to a fourth-year student at Durham University, who is on the
autistic spectrum (ASD). The ideal candidate will have experience working with
neurodivergent young adults, particularly those on the autism spectrum (ASD),
and will offer personalized guidance to foster the student’s independence. The
student is currently residing in St Aidan’s College, Durham University.
Hours and rate of
pay hours
Position Details:
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
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Part-time: 5 hours per week during term time (total: 29 weeks). Hours
must not exceed 144 over the academic year.
Term dates for 2026/2027:
o 28 Sep 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 (10 weeks)
o 11 Jan 2027 – 19 March 2027 (10 weeks)
o 26th April – 25 June 2025 (9 weeks)
Pay: £20 per hour, plus pro-rata holiday pay.
Location
St Aidan’s College Durham University
DBS/Checks
Confirmation of DBS check
Right to Work and references will be needed.
What you would
be doing…
Key Responsibilities:

Physical assistance is not required, this person is physically able and very
healthy.
Meet with the student 1-on-1 at least twice a week during term time.
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Monitor well-being and assist with establishing personal care routines
(e.g., organizing laundry, encouraging tidiness in accommodation). No
physical assistance required; the focus is on fostering independence.
Support academic development by helping the student manage tasks
across multiple modules, meet deadlines, and improve group work
skills.
Assist with social and career development, including helping the
student build friendships and develop social skills. Support student to
find career opportunities as they start the final year at university.
Liaise with the student’s college (St Aidan’s) and family to ensure the
appropriate level of care and support is consistently maintained.

Please send a CV (with 2 references) and a covering letter explaining why you would suit this role.
Thank you.
* Sponsorship is not available for this role *
* No agencies please *
Required skills
and experience
Requirements:
 Experience working with neurodivergent young adults, especially those
with ASD.
 Empathy, patience, and strong interpersonal skills with the ability to
provide tailored support.
 Excellent communication skills for effective coordination with the
student, their college, and their family.
 Enhanced DBS Certificate required. Candidates should possess an
existing certificate or be willing to obtain one at their own cost.
 Must be based in or near Durham City. Preference will be given to
postgraduates, researchers, or individuals with strong ties to the
university community.
This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a
student’s university experience by helping them grow both academically and
socially. If you have the relevant experience and are passionate about
supporting others, we’d love to hear from you!
As this is an urgent position, we encourage early applications