Pupil Support Assistant, Newhill Primary School, Blairgowrie - PKC13805

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:

Pupil Support Assistant (Fixed Term until 25 March 2027) - £17,669 - £18,614 (27.5 Hours per week, Term-time only) at Newhill Primary School, Blairgowrie.

Newhill Primary School is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Pupil Support Assistant to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people.

The Pupil Support Assistant provides practical, nurturing and inclusive support to children and young people, including those with additional support needs, to enable them to access learning, develop independence and wellbeing, and participate fully in school life, working under the direction of teaching staff and senior leaders.

The role may focus on some aspects more than others at different times of the year but there would be an expectation of flexibility based on the needs of the school.

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

Requirements

• Experience of supporting children and young people, including those with additional support needs, and the ability to build positive, trusting relationships.
• Strong communication, teamwork and basic ICT skills are essential, along with the ability to support learning, wellbeing and personal care needs where required, maintain records, and work flexibly under the direction of teaching staff, with a clear commitment to safeguarding and inclusion.

Essential Criteria

• Experience of working with children and young people, including those with Additional Support Needs (paid or voluntary).
• Understanding of how additional support needs affect learning, behaviour and wellbeing.
• Ability to support pupils in class, small group and 1:1 contexts.
• Good communication skills and ability to build positive relationships with children and adults.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative.
• Willingness to support personal care/intimate care where required.
• Basic ICT skills and ability to maintain simple records.
• Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, equalities and health & safety.
• Willingness to undertake training and engage in professional learning.

Desirable Criteria

• Relevant qualification or PDA in Supporting Learners / Childcare.
• Experience of supporting children with complex ASN.
• First Aid or moving & handling training.
• Experience of behaviour support strategies.
• Experience of working in a school support or combined support/clerical role.

Responsibilities

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.

The Individual

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Lauren Budd, Head Teacher on 01250 871941 or at Newhill@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.

Internal applicants applying for secondment must obtain line manager approval through the secondment form available under My Forms – Secondment Request Form on MyView. Please note that secondment requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

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.