Pupil Support Assistant, Various Kids Clubs in the Perth & Kinross Council Area - PKC13770

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 an enthusiastic, nurturing and innovative Pupil Support Assistant (PSA) to join our large, friendly team. The PSA role will work across a number of Kids Clubs and Wraparound Care Services providing high quality care. You will help to support pupils individually and in small groups to help meet a range of complex learning needs and work closely with staff teams.

The PSA role is varied and may include supporting children and young people who present with needs which may include:

• Social and Emotional
• Learning
• Communication
• Physical
• Personal Care

Some children may present with distressed and challenging behaviour as a result of these needs. The PSA may have a role in supporting positive behaviour management programmes and individual support plans.

This post is 16 hours per week term-time, between 2pm – 6pm, Monday to Friday and during holiday periods 36 hours per week, on a rota basis between 8am – 6pm. For our permanent Pupil Support Assistant posts, the role will be permanent to Perth & Kinross Council but the location of the role may change based on requirement.

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

Skills & Experience Required

You will also be able to demonstrate an ability to work effectively within a team and on your own initiative. You will have excellent communication skills and a positive approach to working with children. A knowledge of a wide range of learning needs and how to foster positive relationships would be an advantage. A knowledge of behaviour management strategies and how to foster positive relationships would be an advantage.

As a PSA, you will also need to demonstrate a commitment to achieving the required qualification within the timescales set by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

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 public holidays 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

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. 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 regulated work and under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 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.