Caregiver Posting

Caregiver posting for child with dup15q syndrome:

We are in need of someone available after school, evenings and weekends to take care of our teenage girl with autism. Available hours: Wednesdays 2:30-9, Saturdays, 6-9pm, Sundays 3-9pm (or parts of these hours). Minimum requirements: must be 18; have a car; pass a criminal background check; have a reliable work ethic; be compassionate and patient. No formal degree requirements. Tasks include: bathing/dressing, laundry, seizure safety and simple chores. Wish list: looking for people with strong ties to the area who will be around for a while. Mature and retired adults welcome. Reliability and timeliness is valued, as is patience and kindness. Reasonable health and fitness will be necessary. Availability during school breaks is very helpful, plenty of hours available during these times. Hours are currently 15 hours/week. More likely will be available in the future, for us as well as other families. Please send resume/references, and as much information about yourself as possible. Excellent position for education or nursing students.

References check/Interview questions:

• Have you ever worked with a child with special needs?

• Why are you interested in working with a special needs child?

• What do you know about our child’s particular challenges?

• Are you CPR certified or do you hold any other special training?

• Would you be willing to travel with our family should we go on vacation etc.?

• Are there any jobs or chores you are not willing to do?

• Can you commit to working regular hours?

• Are you comfortable knowing there are nanny cams in the house?

• What is your expected wage?

• What questions do you have for me?

Places to post:

• Church
• College websites
• Care. com
• mom’s/babysitter Facebook groups you may be a part of or have access to
• search “babysitters and your town name” on FB.
• Word of Mouth,
• Schools that have an ABA program, since students may be able to use caregiving time towards their hours
• Colleges with child development programs
• Local special needs program groups, employees may be looking for more hours
• Indeed.com

“You really don’t know the person until they have been working for you for a while.”

I think one thing to recommend would be searching for a caregiver early in your child’s life that will be one that may be around for a while, a neighbor/friend that is truly your  “in case of emergency” person. Invite that person over often to create a relationship with your child even if it is not a caregiving situation but to give parents the peace of mind that they have someone, who knows and understands their child and household structure and needs, what do you think?

For long-term sitters, it may be helpful to have them watch your child while you are at home. This is an easy way to get to see how this caregiver works with our child while also completing household chores or working from home.