Leila

My Requirements

We are looking for a nanny or au pair - the position can be either full-time or part-time / live in or live-out depending on the candidate's preference, but minimum 30 hours per week. The eldest child is autistic, with a demand avoidant (PDA) profile, so experience with special needs is a plus but not a must if the candidate is willing to learn on the job.

Our eldest daughter is highly intelligent and very advanced at communicating but demands make her anxious, so she needs a low-demand approach whereby rules are minimised and she is made to feel as though she is in control. She is not currently in school due to not finding the right placement, but we do have tutors and other specialists coming into the home to deliver education and occupational therapy. We would need the nanny to coordinate with these specialists and facilitate the sessions, as well as take her out for activities (eg swimming, visiting farms, etc.) as needed.

Our youngest goes to nursery 3 days a week at the moment but will be starting school full-time in September. The nanny will look after both children outside of school hours / during school holidays.

The right candidate would be someone who is:
- calm and patient
- willing to learn about PDA and adapt their childcare style
- flexible - strict rules and discipline will not work with this condition
- collaborative and able to communicate with the child as though she is on the same level, letting her take charge where necessary
- fun and creative - novelty, role play and games make transitions easier
- emotionally intelligent and able to help the child label and cope with her emotions
- prepared to look beyond the outward behaviours and try to understand the root cause of what is making the child anxious, including unmet sensory needs or overstimulation, communication or processing difficulties, anxiety, etc.

Additional training will be provided on autism/PDA to support the nanny in her role.

Both parents will be working from home 2-3 days a week and going into the office 2 days a week.

We would prefer if the nanny was willing to go on holiday with the family once or twice a year (for 1 to 2 weeks).