Learning Assistant ASN - Woodburn Primary School (Permanent to Authority) - MID07701

Woodburn Primary is a large and well-established community focussed primary school that serves the Woodburn area of Dalkeith. Following an extension completed in October 2024, the school gained 9 classrooms, a STEM room, additional gym hall, improved outdoor play spaces and a multi-use games area. In January 2025, the school also gained a Complex Needs Provision. The Complex Needs classes are supported by a skilled team which includes the Woodburn Senior Leadership Team, a Principal Teacher, Class Teachers and Learning Assistants. Woodburn is committed to providing a safe, nurturing and supportive learning environment for all. We strive to equip our children with the skills they will require to become Successful learners, Confident Individuals, Independent Learners and Responsible Citizens. We place considerable value on trust, respect, nurture, equality and equity.

The successful post holder will work as part of the team supporting children in our Complex Needs Classes. They must have a strong understanding, and experience of working with children who have Additional Support Needs (ASN). They must be able to demonstrate the ability to build trusted relationships with children and work well as part of a team ensuring learners are happy, settled and have their needs met. They should be committed to developing their knowledge and skills through undertaking additional professional learning.

Knowledge

• Evidence of basic literacy and numeracy at Standard Grade General level or SVQ2 in Early Years Care and Education, or National Certificate unit in Childcare & Education, or equivalent competency, to enable the jobholder to communicate effectively with staff and pupils, and provide sensitive support.
• The jobholder must be familiar with child development and able to respond to the needs of individual pupils.
• Jobholders should have previous experience of working in this field of work.
• To be fully competent in the role jobholders will be required to undertake additional training courses e.g. first aid, calm techniques etc.
• If the post is within a Nursery Environment then the Jobholder must be registered with or obtain membership with the SSSC within 3 months of appointment. In order to register you must currently hold the relevant qualifications or be willing to work towards attaining these qualifications within the first year of registration.

CLOSING DATE - Monday 28th September 2026
INTERVIEW DATE - Monday 5th October 2026

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• PLEASE NOTE: If you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith the UK in the last 5 years then you will also be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check.

Additional Information

If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please email recruitment@midlothian.gov.uk to discuss with 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.

Thank you for your patience in this matter. 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.