Sennie (SEN Specialist/Nanny/Manny) for B16

Additional needs present: Learning Difficulties, Non-Verbal & ASD

Location: Preston Park, Brighton, BN1

Salary: From £18 per hour gross

Live out / in - Live-in when covering overnights

Driver: Not essential but preferred

Pets: Cat

Sole charge

Days & Hours Required: Regular of 12 - 15 hours per week

Tuesdays and Fridays: 3-6pm
Saturday or Sunday: 6 hours ( family flexible with time)
One Friday per month will extend into a full weekend commitment, providing 24/7 support for a 48-hour period.

In addition, there is a requirement for full-time holiday cover from 3rd–12th June 2026, providing 24/7 support during this period (with B16 at college during weekdays). This holiday cover can be fulfilled either by the successful candidate or by a separate, temporary candidate dedicated solely to this period.

Essential Skills / Traits
Minimum of 2+ years SEN childcare experience
Experience or confidence using PECS/AAC systems, with willingness to further develop communication support skills.
Calm, patient and emotionally regulated, able to provide consistent support in both relaxed and challenging situations.
Experienced in personal care support, delivered with dignity, sensitivity and encouragement of independence.
Confident supporting community access, including public transport, cafés and leisure activities.
Flexible and reliable, able to work varied hours including evenings, weekends, sleepovers and extended holiday cover.
Able to work independently while maintaining safety, structure and clear professional boundaries.
Good observational and communication skills, with ability to report clearly to parents.
Compassionate, consistent and committed to improving independence and quality of life for B16.

About the child/role: B16 is a 16-year-old young person who lives with his two mums and their friendly cat in a comfortable home near Preston Park, with excellent access to local transport links, shops and green spaces. This is a warm and welcoming household, and the family are seeking a Sennie to provide respite support, including time spent with B16 both at home and out in the community, and potentially offering live-in support when required.


B16 attends Downsview Link College during standard school hours and already receives after-school support three days per week. He is non-verbal and has a diagnosis of autism and learning difficulties. He requires prompting and support with most aspects of daily living, including personal care, and would benefit from a consistent, patient approach to developing his independence over time. He is generally healthy, sleeps well, and is described as calm and content in familiar routines.

B16 enjoys a range of simple, meaningful activities, including swimming, relaxing in the hot tub, bus and train rides, short walks, using his iPad, and going out for lunch at cafés or for chips at the pub. He benefits from structured, low-demand routines and familiar, enjoyable experiences that support his wellbeing and engagement. The Sennies worker will play a key role in facilitating these activities, while also gently encouraging independence and participation in daily life. Toileting is an area of ongoing development. The family has made good progress over the past year, supported by the continence service, but B16 continues to require prompting and supervision. The Sennie will support this area with consistency, sensitivity, and openness to introducing new ideas or strategies in line with professional guidance.