Early Years Practitioner - Hawthorn Family Learning Centre - MID07409

Post holder must hold at least a practitioner level qualification - HNC Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 7; or SVQ Social Services (Children & Young people) at SCQF 7 or equivalents that meet the requirements for SSSC (Scottish Social Services Council) registration e.g. SVQ 3 Child Care and Education, SVQ 3 Early Years Care and Education, SVQ Children’s Care learning and Development SCQF 7, HNC Childcare and Education, HNC Working with Children in Early Years, HNC Early Education and Childcare (at SCQF level 7). Qualifications which were previously recognised for SNNEB/NNEB registration may be acceptable.

The post holder must be able to demonstrate a sound working knowledge of early years practice, local and national policy, research, legislation and documentation. The post holder must have experience of working in an Early Learning Centre and/or Children Services provision. S/He must be able to demonstrate a sound overview and clear understanding of children’s development and progress in literacy, numeracy and health and well-being across the Curriculum.

The post holder must have a very good understanding of Curriculum for Excellence Early Level, Pre-Birth to Three Positive Outcomes for Scotland’s Children and Families, Realising the Ambition, HGIOELC and GIRFEC and Care Inspectorate standards and requirements. The post holder requires an up-to-date first aid and food hygiene certificate, or be committed to achieving this within 6 months in post. Once in post, the post holders are required to keep up to date with new guidelines and legislation.

Post holders attend a variety of courses depending on the individual needs of a child e.g. epilepsy training; gastric feeding; baby & toddler first aid training, behaviour management; training for communication problems such as signing; Hannan language programme and 'picture exchange'.

CLOSING DATE - Sunday 5th April 2026
INTERVIEW DATE - week beginning 13th April 2026

Position Title: Early Years Practitioner
Directorate: Children, Young People and Partnerships
Location: Hawthorn Family Learning Centre
Contract Status: Fixed Term until 30/07/2027
Hours of Work: 36
Working Pattern: Mon-Thu 8-4 and Fri 8-2.30
Weeks per year: 52

Please note that it is Midlothian Council's policy that successful applicants will be appointed to the first point on the salary scale. Based on 36 hours over 52 weeks per year, the minimum actual salary for this position is £32,554.06 per annum.

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children. Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children. You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you.

For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit www.disclosurescotland.gov.uk. Please note that Disclosure Scotland has changed the way PVG certificates are issued. You will be notified by email from Disclosure Scotland that your certificate is available to view. Once you have viewed your certificate you will be allowed to share this with your employer and it is only available for 14 days from the first day you have viewed the certificate. If you do not grant access to Midlothian Council to view before access is removed, a further application will need to be generated, and this will incur an additional cost.

If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please call 0131 271 3063 to speak to a member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.

Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you.

If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.