Play Assistant, Balbeggie Primary School

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 currently have the following opportunity:

Play Assistant - PKC14262
£9,758 - £10,194 (16 Hours per week, Term-time only)
Balbeggie Primary School

Do you like working with children and want to make a difference?

If so, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Play Assistant to work in Balbeggie Nursery within Balbeggie Primary School in the Perth and Kinross area.

This is an excellent opportunity for an individual to step into the profession and progress a career in childcare, gaining valuable experience while being supported to achieve a childcare qualification.

You will assist in the provision of high-quality care and a comprehensive range of appropriate, stimulating and creative activities, including arts and crafts, storytelling, physical play, and organising trips and outings that meet the needs and interests of the children attending the service.

You will work closely with the Nursery Team and wider School Team, contributing to children's learning and development within a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.

A flexible approach to working arrangements is required. The contracted hours are 16 hours per week, term time only, ideally worked between 11:15am and 2:00pm.

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

Skills & Experience Required

We are looking for an individual who has a genuine interest in, and commitment to, working with children in a professional capacity within an early learning or childcare environment.

This is a child-focused role which requires sensitivity, patience and compassion, along with a welcoming approach that helps generate a feeling of trust and safety for children and their families/carers.

A genuine interest in children's development and wellbeing is essential. Important qualities include kindness, sensitivity, respectfulness, good manners, and the ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.

No entry qualifications are required. However, you will be required and supported to work towards a recognised qualification approved by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

As a Play Assistant, you will need to demonstrate a commitment to achieving the required qualification within the timescales set by the SSSC.

You will be required to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) for Day Care of Children within three months of commencing employment and will be responsible for maintaining your annual membership.

The successful candidate will be supported to access further training, including both award-bearing qualifications and continuing professional development opportunities.

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
• 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 Vicky Donaldso, Headteacher on 01738 454490 or at Balbeggie@pkc.gov.uk to find out more.

Click “APPLY NOW”

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 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”.