Enhanced Pupil Support Assistant - Intensive Support Provision, St. John's RC Academy Primary, Perth

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 are looking for a motivated and skilled pupil support assistant, who will ideally have current experience in supporting children whose complex social and emotional needs are a barrier to their engagement in learning at St John's RC Academy Intensive Support Provision (ISP). As an Enhanced PSA, you will play a pivotal role in the daily lives of our pupils. Your responsibilities will go beyond standard classroom support, focusing on tailored interventions and personal care.

Key Accountabilities:

• Direct Pupil Support: Facilitate learning through reading, scribing, and using symbol timetables.
• Specialised Care: Carry out intimate care routines, assist with eating/drinking, and perform moving and handling tasks (including CALM interventions).
• Physical & Development Programs: Lead individual programmes such as physio exercises, motor skills, and mobility training.
• Positive Environment: Implement behaviour management programmes and support Individual Education Plan (IEP) targets.
• Technology & Resources: Prepare materials using Boardmaker or TEACCH and support the use of ICT tools like Clicker and sensory programmes.
• Community & Transition: Accompany pupils to social events, transition settings, and independent living activities.

Skills & Experience Required

• A warm and nurturing approach with children.
• Experience of working with primary aged children in school.
• Some understanding of how early childhood trauma can impact on a child’s development.
• The ability to form positive relationships with children who are hard to reach and disengaged with learning.
• A child-centred approach.
• The skills to establish firm boundaries without being rigid.
• Some understanding of the importance of play for children of all ages.
• The ability to self-regulate during times when children present with distressed and dysregulated behaviour.
• Some understanding of restorative approaches to problems arising and the ability to model these for the children.
• The ability to work as part of a small team but also have the confidence to work on their own.
• A desire to learn and further develop their knowledge and skills.

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

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.

All new employees have a four-month probationary period. Further details are available in the FAQs at “How to apply for a job or apprenticeship with us”.

Next Steps

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Marie Claire Futamata, Head Teacher on 01738 454300 or at St-JohnsAcademy@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.

Appointments are based on evidence supplied during the selection process. 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.