At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in learning, build relationships, and encourage independence.
- Company: Dumfries and Galloway Council, committed to equality and diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health discounts, pension scheme, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: SCQF Level 4 or equivalent and experience with children/young people.
- Other info: Term time role with opportunities for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 15000 - 18000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Learning Assistant based within the Castle Douglas Cluster, working within Castle Douglas Primary School for 27.5 hours per week (2 posts). This position is term time until July 2026.
As a Learning Assistant, you will build strong and trusting relationships with children and young people. You will help them take part in lessons, encourage independence (even with personal care), support them in learning new skills, and help them make friends. Most importantly, you will help make sure they feel safe, happy, and ready to learn.
We are looking to receive applications from caring, supportive, understanding and committed individuals. You will be required to support children and young people with additional support needs to help them to overcome barriers to their learning and be able to reach their full potential either in Learning Centres or mainstream classes.
This position will be reviewed annually as part of the Additional Support for Learning allocation, and you may be required to work within other settings for the duration of this appointment. This position may be suitable for a Secondment. Agreement from your line manager must be sought before applying for this post on a secondment basis.
The successful candidates must be educated to SCQF Level 4 (e.g. Standard Grade General, National 4) or equivalent, including Numeracy and Literacy or equivalent and experience of working with children and/or young people. Experience of working with children/young people with additional support needs would be advantageous. A willingness to undertake training will be required, as part of our induction and professional development programmes.
These posts are considered as Regulated Work with Vulnerable Children, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. From 28 February 2011, preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG scheme update check prior to formal offer of employment being made by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Applicants who have been resident outside the UK within the last 5 years, if offered a position, in addition to a Disclosure Scotland Check, will be required to provide a completed police record check from the police authority in the country or countries in which they were resident.
With an exciting benefits package, working for Dumfries and Galloway Council supports you to invest in your own health and wellbeing. Employees have access to our bespoke Vivup platform with over 800 discounts on everyday essentials from top UK retailers, restaurants, utility providers and more. Employees also get access to membership of The Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland), exclusive discounts from local businesses, a Cycle-to-Work scheme, financial support from My Money Matters, and guidance from our trained Wellbeing Champions.
Here at Dumfries and Galloway Council we are committed to equality, diversity and equal opportunity with our values, which include treating everyone with dignity, fairness and respect, driving us to tackle inequality. We are looking for people that can bring different perspectives and experiences and especially welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our organisation.
For further information please contact: Mrs Caroline Carlyle (Acting), Headteacher Tel: (01556) 502071 Email: gw08carlylecaroline@
Learning Assistant PEF - DGA12946. Job in Castle Douglas Education & Training Jobs employer: Dumfries and Galloway Council
Contact Detail:
Dumfries and Galloway Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning Assistant PEF - DGA12946. Job in Castle Douglas Education & Training Jobs
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in education and training, especially those who might know someone at Dumfries and Galloway Council. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the school and its values. Show us that you understand their commitment to equality and diversity. Tailor your answers to reflect how you can contribute to creating a safe and supportive environment for children.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with you. Focus on questions related to supporting children with additional needs and how you would encourage independence. This will help you feel more confident when it’s your turn.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Learning Assistant PEF - DGA12946. Job in Castle Douglas Education & Training Jobs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with children and young people shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have, especially if you've worked with children or those with additional support needs. We love seeing how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make it easy for us to understand why you're the right fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can get back to you as soon as possible.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dumfries and Galloway Council
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you understand the responsibilities of a Learning Assistant. Familiarise yourself with how to support children with additional needs and think about specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your ability to build trusting relationships.
✨Show Your Caring Side
During the interview, highlight your caring and supportive nature. Share stories that showcase your commitment to helping children feel safe and happy, as well as how you've encouraged independence in past roles. This will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions where you might need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with children. Think through potential challenges and how you would approach them, focusing on empathy and problem-solving skills.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the school's approach to supporting children with additional needs or how they foster a positive learning environment. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the school community.