How do I become an assistant?
Becoming an assistant
What training do I need?
You may be asking yourself: How can I work as an assistant? Or would you like to volunteer to support people in their day-to-day lives?
You don't need any special training to perform simple assistance tasks (compensatory assistance). Training is not mandatory for workplace or school assistants either.
However, the adult education center (KVHS) offers courses: Pro Inklusion e.V. offers further training in school support and basic training for assistants.
Some providers of basic assistance offer basic training for volunteer support personnel. You can participate in these courses if you would like to volunteer to support people in need of care.
Who might be interested in working as an assistant?
- If you are open to people and their needs;
- If you want to return to work;
- If you want to volunteer to help others;
- If you are looking for additional work;
- If you want to work flexibly;
- If you do not have formal vocational training.
What are my duties as an assistant?
As an assistant, you provide important support to people with disabilities in their day-to-day lives. Or in their free time. And you can relieve the burden on family caregivers.
The duties and areas of work for assistants are very varied. They are determined by the wishes and needs of the person. Simple assistance acts as a "helping hand" with the tasks that the disabled person finds difficult or can't do themselves. Assistants take over some or all of the day-to-day tasks. However: The person with a disability is in charge. They decide: How can the assistant best provide support? What needs to be done?
As an assistant, you do not have to provide support in all areas of life or be able to perform all tasks that arise. Assistants can be employed for activities such as shopping or leisure activities. They can also help with mobility.
Simple assistance can provide support in these areas of life:
- Running the household (e.g., cleaning, cooking, or shopping)
- Maintaining social contacts and building relationships (e.g., going to a café, meeting friends or relatives)
- Planning and organizing personal life and day-to-day activities
- Participation in society and cultural life (e.g., attending events, going to concerts)
- Organizing leisure activities (e.g., excursions, theater, cinema, museums, sports, travel accompaniment)
- Communicating with the outside world (e.g., use of technical aids)
- Accompaniment (e.g., to the doctor or therapy, shopping, visits)
- Joint discussions – including discussions with family caregivers for emotional support
- Assistance services for parents with disabilities
What personal qualities should I have?
It is very important to enjoy working with people.
As an assistant, you will usually work for one person or a family in their home. It is important that you take people's needs and wishes seriously. And respect their personal lifestyle. An assistant should be a good listener. And be interested in the other person. The "personal chemistry" between the assistant and the person receiving assistance must be right.
You should be friendly and approachable as well as reliable and punctual. You should be able to empathize with the other person. And you should keep your own thoughts and feelings to yourself. The other person is the focus of attention. Confidentiality must be maintained at all times.
As a "helping hand" you need patience. Because often things will go slowly. Some people with motor limitations or learning disabilities need more time than others. And everyone has their own way of doing things.
It is also important to strike the right balance between a professional attitude and a personal relationship. An assistant is not a friend. However, close contact often leads to a personal relationship.
As an assistant, you will need a clean extended police clearance certificate.
Who can be my employer?
Most assistants are employed by a service provider – either as volunteers, in a mini-job, or full-time. You will receive either a volunteer agreement or an employment contract.
This means you are insured during work and on the way to work – with accident insurance and liability insurance. The service provider will have a contact person for the assistants. You can speak to them if you have any problems or questions. And in the event of illness, a replacement can often be arranged.
Service providers can be independent non-profit organizations or companies in the social sector. Care providers are also service providers.
If I want to volunteer:
On behalf of non-profit organizations, you can volunteer to provide assistance. You will then receive an expense allowance. Some organizations also pay travel expenses. Your rights and obligations are set out in a volunteer contract. You are insured. Some service providers offer training courses for volunteer assistants.
As a volunteer working in day-to-day life assistance (German abbreviation AZUA), you can register with the state of Lower Saxony as a private support person (neighborhood helper). To do this, you must complete a training course in advance.
For supporting people with disabilities, you can receive 3,000 € a year tax-free as an expense allowance for volunteer work. This also applies if you receive basic income support or basic support services.
Assistance as a profession:
Employers can be independent non-profit organizations or companies in the social sector as well as care providers.
Many assistants work part-time or in mini-jobs. However, some also work full-time. In this case, you will receive an employment contract. Some contracts are temporary, others are permanent. The standard employment protection laws apply.
For example:
Sigrid is employed by service provider X as a school assistant. She supports a student with disabilities at a primary school. She works 24 hours a week. She has a one-year contract. She also supports two people in their day-to-day lives and leisure activities. She works an additional 8 hours a week as a day-to-day assistant.
Pay varies from service provider to service provider. The hourly wage for simple assistance is at least the statutory minimum wage. However, the hourly wage is higher for some service providers in the Northeim district.
You can register as an assistant on the Northeim District Assistance Portal. There you can offer assistance and support in day-to-day life.