Play Assistant, Royal School of Dunkeld

Main Purpose of the Role

Working within Perth & Kinross Council is more than a job, it's about being part of something meaningful. 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 (PKC14001)
£9,758 - £10,194 (16 hours per week, term-time)
Royal School of Dunkeld

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Play Assistant to work as part of the Nursery Team at the Royal School of Dunkeld. You will support our ECP team to provide high quality play opportunities for our young learners and you will support and engage our learners in their play and early development. Additionally you will support our learners to feel safe, respected and nurtured and you will support our children to enjoy their lunchtime experience in our Nursery.

This is an excellent opportunity for an individual to enter in to the profession and progress a career in childcare, gaining experience whilst being supported to gain a qualification.

The working hours for this post are Monday to Thursday 11:45 - 3pm and Friday 11:45 - 2:45pm

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

The role is child focused which requires sensitivity, patience and compassion along with a welcoming approach to generate a feeling of trust and safety for children and their families. A genuine interest in the development of children and their wellbeing is essential and the important essential qualities we require are kindness, sensitivity, respectfulness, good manners and an ability to respect confidentiality at all times.

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

Skills & Experience Required

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

You will be required to apply within 3 months and register with the Scottish Social Services Council ( SSSC) for Daycare of Children within 6 months of commencing employment and responsible for maintaining annual membership.

No entry qualifications are required however you will be required and supported to work towards one of the qualifications below:

NC/HNC Early Education and Childcare

SVQ Level 2 or 3 in Social Services (Children and Young People)

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
• Paid SSSC annual membership for relevant positions 

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.

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”.

Next Steps

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Nicola Williams, Head Teacher, via email - RoyalDunkeld@pkc.gov.uk, to find out more.

Click “APPLY NOW”

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 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 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.