Early Years Support Assistant (Permanent) in Strathaven

Permanent Post. Hours: 35 hours per week, not term time, 52 weeks per year. Monday - Friday various shifts between 8am - 6pm. Hourly Rate: £13.80 - £14.83 per hour.

Please describe your previous experience of working with children in a professional capacity. What skills, abilities and experience do you have that would enable you to effectively communicate with children, parents/carers and team members? Young children at times require personal care. Please describe how you would support a child who needed to be changed, making this a positive and respectful experience for the child. Please describe how you would support children who were displaying distressed behaviours, explaining the approaches that you would use.

South Lanarkshire Council are looking for enthusiastic, motivated staff to support the learning and development of young children within our Early Learning and Childcare establishments. Within South Lanarkshire Council’s Education Resources, it is our mission to make positive, meaningful changes in the lives of children and young people. We aim to provide an exceptional learning and working environment for children, pupils and staff, and work in partnership with parents and other professionals. South Lanarkshire Council is committed to the education, care and welfare of our children and young people in our Education Establishments.

You will work as an effective member of the Early Learning and Childcare Team, supporting the delivery of a high-quality service which supports children and staff and contributes to a positive ethos. This post requires employees to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as a support worker and to hold a relevant qualification: NC in Early Education and Childcare at SCQF Level 6, SVQ 2 Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF Level 6, SVQ 2 Children's Care Learning and Development at SCQF Level 2. Support will be provided to successful candidates who don’t hold a relevant qualification, to obtain one.

This post is considered a Regulated Role with Children and/or Adults, in respect of the Disclosure Scotland Act 2020. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children and/or adults. An Overseas Criminal Records Check is required where applicants born outside the UK or who have lived or worked outside the UK for a continuous period of three months in the past 10 years. Applicants are responsible for providing evidence of the Overseas Criminal Record Check. The check must be translated into English and should come from the police, judicial authority, government department or home embassy of the country or countries concerned. The check must include an official statement confirming that the applicant does not have any history of or pending criminal record proceedings.

Under the Council’s positive action programme, applications to this post are particularly encouraged from male applicants. The Council is committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion in its workforce. Therefore, we welcome applications from all sectors of the community, including under-represented groups within our workforce. We are keen to receive applications from candidates who have a disability, who are from a care experienced background, who are from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background, from a military service background and from those who are new Scots. As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile for this position. As proud holders of the UK Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, the Council is also committed to supporting members of the armed forces community, including service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families. In line with this commitment, service leavers, their close family members, veterans and reservists will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile.

Enrolment in award-winning local government pension scheme. To increase the value of their pension pot, Local Government Employees can opt to join the Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme. Up to 33 days annual leave. Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days). Occupational sick pay. Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave enhanced leave. Employee Discounts – including discounts at the cinema. Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support).