What training do I need?
You may be wondering: How can I work as an assistant? Or support people in their daily lives on a voluntary basis?
For the tasks of basic assistance (compensatory assistance), you do not need any special training. Training is also not mandatory for workplace or school assistance.
However, the District Adult Education Center (KVHS) offers courses: Further training for school support and, in cooperation with Pro Inklusion e.V., basic training for assistants.
Some service providers of basic assistance offer basic training for volunteer support persons. You can participate if you would like to support people with care needs on a voluntary basis.
For whom might working as an assistant be interesting?
- If you are open to people and their needs;
- If you want to re-enter working life;
- If you want to volunteer for others;
- If you are looking for an additional activity;
- If you want to work flexibly;
- If you do not have formal vocational training.
What tasks do I have as an assistant?
As an assistant, you are an important support for people with disabilities in everyday life. Or in leisure time. And you can relieve family caregivers.
The tasks and areas of work for assistants are very diverse. They are determined by the wishes and needs of the person. As a “helping hand,” basic assistance replaces missing abilities of the person with limitations. It takes over daily tasks completely or partially. But: The person with a disability “is in charge.” They determine: How can the assistant provide good support? What needs to be done?
As an assistant, you do not have to support in all areas of life or be able to fulfill all tasks that arise. Assistants can be deployed for activities such as shopping or leisure time. They can also help with mobility.
Basic assistance can support in these areas of life:
- Managing the household (for example, cleaning, cooking, or shopping)
- Maintaining social contacts and shaping relationships (for example, going to a café, meeting friends or relatives)
- Planning and shaping personal life and everyday life
- Participating in community and cultural life (for example, attending events, going to concerts)
- Shaping leisure time (for example, excursions, theater, cinema, museum, sports, travel accompaniment)
- Communication with the environment (for example, use of technical aids)
- Accompaniment (for example, to the doctor or to therapy, shopping, during visits)
- Shared conversations – including conversations with family caregivers for emotional support
- Assistance services for parents with disabilities
What personal qualities should I have as an assistant?
Most important is the enjoyment of working with people.
As an assistant, you usually work with a person or a family at home. You should take the wishes and needs of people seriously. And respect their personal way of life. An assistant should be a good listener. And have an interest in the other person. The “personal chemistry” between the person providing assistance and the person receiving assistance must be right.
You should act in a friendly and caring manner. And be reliable and punctual. You should empathize with the other person (empathy). And you should set aside your own thoughts and feelings. The other person is the focus. Confidentiality must be maintained at all times.
Additional qualities as an assistant
As a “helping hand,” you need patience. Because sometimes things do not go so quickly. Some people with motor limitations or learning disabilities need more time than others. And every person has their own way of doing things.
The right balance between professional attitude and personal relationship is also important. An assistant is not a friend. But close contact often creates a personal relationship.
As an assistant, you need a clean extended certificate of good conduct from the police.
Who can be my employer?
Most assistants are employed by a service provider – as volunteers, in mini-jobs, or full-time. They receive a volunteer agreement or an employment contract.
This means you are insured during work and on the way to work – in accident insurance and liability insurance. The service provider has a contact person for assistants. You contact them with problems or questions. And in case of illness, a substitute can often be organized.
Service providers can be independent non-profit organizations or social economy enterprises. Care services are also service providers.
Assistance as volunteer work
On behalf of non-profit organizations, you can provide volunteer assistance. You will then receive an expense allowance for this. Some organizations also pay travel costs. Your rights and obligations are set out in a volunteer contract. You are insured. Some service providers offer training for volunteer assistants.
Neighborhood helper / AZUA
You can offer everyday support services (abbreviated: AZUA) as a neighborhood helper.
To do this, you must complete training.
And you must observe the following:
- You must be at least 16 years old.
- You may not be related to or married to the person in need of care.
- You may also not be their caregiver and may not live with them.
- You may support a maximum of two people in need of care at the same time.
- You must provide proof to the person in need of care:
You are a qualified professional or have completed training or a care course.
This proof is for the care insurance or private health insurance. - You may only request a small payment (expense allowance).
This may be a maximum of 85 percent of the statutory minimum wage.
For supporting people with disabilities, you can receive €3,000 tax-free as an expense allowance for volunteer work per year. This also applies if you receive citizen's allowance or basic security benefits.
Assistance as a profession
Employers can be independent non-profit organizations or social economy enterprises. And also care services.
Many assistants work part-time or in mini-jobs. Some, however, also work full-time. They receive an employment contract. Some contracts are fixed-term, others are not.
The standard employee protection rights apply.
Compensation varies from service provider to service provider. The hourly wage for basic assistance is at least the statutory minimum wage. However, the hourly wage is higher at some service providers in Northeim district.
An example:
Sigrid is employed by a service provider as a school assistant.
She supports a student with a disability at the elementary school. 24 hours per week. She has a contract for one year.
In addition, she supports two people in everyday life and leisure time. As an everyday assistant, she works an additional 8 hours per week.
In the Northeim District Assistance Portal, you can register as an assistant. There you can offer assistance and everyday support.