At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop services for children and families at the Family Nurture Centre.
- Company: Fife Council, dedicated to improving life chances for all.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, employee discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: Degree in Childhood Practice and management experience in Early Years settings.
- Other info: Join a compassionate team committed to respect, ambition, and equity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 40000 £ per year.
Proposed Interview Date: Week Commencing Monday 16 February 2026
Closing Date: Tuesday 10 February 2026
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: FC8 £41,972.91 to £45,990.00 pro rata
Working Pattern: 14.4 hours per week. Thursday & Friday 8.18am to 4pm - Please note you may not take annual leave during the school holidays
Location: St Andrews Nursery
The Education Directorate is committed to Improving Life Chances for All through a wide range of direct services which support our children, young people, families and the wider Fife community. Our approach to improvement is rooted in our core values: Compassion, Ambition, Respect and Equity which reflect the ethos, culture and practice principles of all staff across the directorate.
As part of your application, you must provide us with a Supporting Statement which outlines how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy. Without a Supporting Statement, your application will not be progressed. Your Supporting Statement must not be a CV.
Please consider and demonstrate the following when completing your Supporting Statement:
- Working Together - Please give examples of when you have worked with others to lead teamwork and how you influenced those you were working with.
- Delivering Results - Please give examples that demonstrate your ability to organise and solve problems to achieve results.
- Personal Ownership - Please give examples of situations in which you have used your initiative to make improvements and used your skills to deal with challenges and change.
- Customer Focus - Please give examples of when your skills and knowledge have helped improve the learning and development of children.
To develop and lead on services from the Family Nurture Centre through planning and implementing strategies relative to care and welfare of children and their families within the Centre and wider early years community.
The key areas of this post are:
- Centre management during school holiday periods and at other times when the Headteacher is out of Centre.
- Management and delivery of a quality service for eligible children and priority referrals under 3 years.
- Delivery and support of GIRFEC approaches and Child Protection, Family Support and co-ordination of Community Parent Engagement.
You must have SCQF level 9, which includes a Degree or equivalent, such as BA in Childhood Practice. You are required to have management experience within an Early Years setting and experience of co-ordinating and leading a group of professionals within a multi-agency working culture.
Before confirming your appointment, you will be required to obtain Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership through Disclosure Scotland and become a member of the relevant PVG scheme. You are required to register with Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) within 6 months of taking up employment in this role and to complete the required Post Registration Training and Learning (PRTL) over the first registration period.
When preparing your supporting statement, review the role profile and think about how you meet the essential criteria.
Employees have access to a benefits package that offers discounts on a wide range of products and services.
Job information can be made available in alternative formats, to make a request please email: transactions.recruitment@fife.gov.uk
For further information please contact: Nicola Clelland at Nicola.Clelland@fife.gov.uk
Depute Head of Centre employer: Fife Council
Contact Detail:
Fife Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Depute Head of Centre
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Fife Council and their values. When you understand their mission, you can tailor your approach during interviews to show how you align with their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to teamwork, problem-solving, and customer focus. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During the interview, share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in early years settings. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares about children's welfare.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a simple gesture that can leave a lasting impression on the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Depute Head of Centre
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Personal with Your Supporting Statement: When writing your Supporting Statement, make it personal! Share specific examples from your experience that highlight how you embody the values of Compassion, Ambition, Respect, and Equity. This is your chance to show us who you are beyond your CV.
Show Us Your Team Spirit: We want to see how you've worked with others in a team setting. Include examples of how you've led or influenced your colleagues to achieve common goals. Remember, collaboration is key in our community-focused environment!
Problem-Solving is Your Superpower: Demonstrate your ability to organise and solve problems effectively. Share instances where you've tackled challenges head-on and achieved results. We love seeing candidates who can think on their feet and deliver outcomes!
Focus on the Kids: Since this role is all about improving the learning and development of children, make sure to include examples of how your skills have positively impacted young lives. Show us your customer focus and commitment to making a difference!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fife Council
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on the core values of the Education Directorate: Compassion, Ambition, Respect, and Equity. Think about how your personal values align with these and prepare examples that demonstrate this alignment in your past experiences.
✨Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement
Your Supporting Statement is crucial! Make sure it clearly outlines your skills and experiences relevant to the role. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've worked collaboratively, delivered results, taken personal ownership, and focused on customer needs, especially in early years settings.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your management experience and problem-solving skills. Think of situations where you led a team or improved services for children and families. Practise articulating these experiences clearly and confidently.
✨Showcase Your Initiative
Be ready to discuss times when you took the initiative to implement changes or improvements in your previous roles. Highlight how your actions positively impacted the learning and development of children, as well as how you navigated challenges in a multi-agency environment.