Senior Early Childhood Practitioner, Oakbank Primary School, Perth - PKC14230

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 Senior Early Years Practitioner to join our team at Oakbank Primary School & Nursery. Our aim is to provide child-centred Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) (aged 2-5 years) which reflects and responds to individual needs and identity.

We are seeking an inspiring and dedicated Senior Early Childhood Practitioner (SECP) to support leading our well-established ELC and ECP team. You will support leading a dynamic and supportive team of skilled ECPs, ensuring high-quality learning experiences that meet individual needs, promote wellbeing, independence and achievement. You will support the ELC senior leadership team to plan and evaluate the improvement priorities for the ELC and carry out Quality Assurance activities. You will work alongside other professionals to support children and their families.

This is a permanent post, whole year working, on a 45-week model. 45-week contracts will be required to work 45 weeks of the year. 45-week settings are closed 2 weeks at Christmas and remain open the 1st week of October, 1st week of Easter, the first 3 weeks of the summer and for some public and occasional holidays.

Skills & Experience Required

We are looking for someone who has a genuine passion for Early Years Education and supporting every young person to meet their full potential. The successful candidate will demonstrate effective communication skills and be motivated to build strong, positive relationships with children, families, colleagues and other professionals across the ELC and school. A clear commitment to ongoing professional learning and reflective practice is essential, personally and for the ELC team. You must have SNNEB/HNC/SVQ 3 in Childcare/Education or equivalent and be currently registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as a practitioner. You must be able to evidence additional studies e.g. PDA or modules from a relevant degree and have a commitment to work towards a qualification to allow registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as a Lead Practitioner e.g. BA Childhood Practice within SSSC timescales.

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. Find out more about Perth & Kinross Council and you could soon be joining our team!

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
• Flexi time
• 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.

You are required 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 Diane Johnstone, Depute Headteacher on 01738 477577 or at Oakbank@pkc.gov.uk to find out more.

External candidates are required to provide 2 references, 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 and maintain your membership. 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 is required. You are 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. 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”.