Play Assistant - 2 Posts, The Community School of Auchterarder - PKC13535

Main Purpose of the Role

Working within Perth & Kinross Council is more than a job; it's about being part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of all we do and provides opportunities to make a real difference by enhancing every life we touch.

We currently have the following opportunity:

Play Assistant, 2 Posts - PKC13535 £3,002 - £3,078 (5 Hours per week, Term-time only) The Community School of Auchterarder

Do you like working with children and want to make a difference? If so, an exciting opportunity has arisen for Play Assistants at the Community School of Auchterarder before school during term-time. The contracted hours are 5 hours per week, term-time, between 8am - 9am.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals to step into the profession and progress a career in childcare, gaining experience while being supported to gain a childcare qualification.

You would assist in the provision of high-quality care and a comprehensive range of appropriate stimulating and creative activities, for example arts and crafts, storytelling, den building, physical play appropriate to the needs and interests of the children in the service.

You would be expected to work closely with the Principal and Lead Practitioners, Early Years and Childcare and working as a member of the Wraparound Care Team and wider School Team contributing to children's learning and development within a safe and inclusive environment in a registered childcare service.

Please note, we are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this post.

Skills & Experience Required

We are looking for individuals who have a genuine interest and commitment to working with children in a professional capacity within early learning or a childcare environment. The role is child-focused which requires sensitivity, patience, and compassion along with a welcoming approach to generate a feeling of trust and safety for children and their family/carers.

A genuine interest in the development of children and their wellbeing is essential and the important qualities are kindness, sensitivity, respectfulness, and good manners and to respect confidentiality at all times.

As a Play Assistant you will need to demonstrate a commitment to achieving the required qualification within the timescales set by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). You will be supported to access the appropriate qualification financially.

No entry qualifications are required, however you will be required and supported to work towards a recognised qualification listed by the Scottish Social Services Council.

You will be required to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) for Day Care of Children within 3 months of commencing employment and responsible for maintaining annual membership.

The successful candidates will be supported to access further training both award-bearing and continued professional development.

Working at Perth & Kinross Council

Our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of our key priorities. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours.

Here's what we can offer you:

• A generous annual leave package
• 6 days public holiday and an additional discretionary day
• Eligibility to join our pension scheme
• Family friendly and positive work/life balance policies such as Flexible Working, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave, time off for volunteering and our Wellbeing Framework
• Access to a range of benefits
• Paid SSSC annual membership for relevant positions

We recognise there can be benefits to flexible working and where individual jobs allow, we seek to support this. You are encouraged to discuss potential options with the recruiting manager, if this is of interest to you. A healthy work-life balance is important to us and we provide supportive management and, where possible, flexible working arrangements to help you achieve that balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

This role requires you to be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), if you are not yet registered, you can still apply, as long as you are willing to apply for registration within 3 months of starting with us and be registered within 6 months.

Next Steps

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Helen Roach, Area Co-ordinator or Susan Johnstone, Team Leader by email at childcare@pkc.gov.uk to find out more.

External candidates are required to provide contact details for 2 referees, including email addresses. One of these must be your current or most recent employer.

We welcome applications from everyone and as a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential requirements of the post. Please contact the hiring manager above or the Recruitment Team on (01738) 475555 or recruitment@pkc.gov.uk to discuss any reasonable adjustments.

Diversity is important to us and although some of our jobs may be perceived to be traditionally gender-specific, we welcome applications from everyone and would encourage you to apply if you meet the job requirements. That includes welcoming applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

Working with children and/or protected adults is regarded as a regulated role and under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 you will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check.

If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more (continuous or total) within the last 10 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check.

A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of the above-mentioned mandatory pre-employment checks (including references) and will also include eligibility to work in the UK, qualifications and fitness to undertake the post.