EDUC G1 3220 - Early Years Modern Apprentice

Internal applicants MUST apply via Opportunity Marketplace.  Please ensure you complete your SKILLS and QUALIFICATIONS via “Me” tab/tile on Fusion or by clicking on the application link in the section of the application form titled “REVIEW SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS”. 

ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by 4th of January 2025, 11:55pm

Education Resources

Early Learning and Childcare - Modern Apprenticeship, Social Services (Children and Young People) SCQF Level 7.

Permanent Post.

Location: Various throughout South Lanarkshire.
Hours: 37 hours per week, not term time.
Work Pattern: Monday - Friday various shifts between 8am - 6pm.
Hourly Rate: £13.33 - £14.33 per hour.

Early Learning and Childcare is a career where the rewards of working with babies, young children and their families, are an everyday event. If you are interested in working with young children, helping to make a difference to their lives and develop their skills, while learning about the world around them; then the Early Learning and Childcare Apprenticeship Programme could be for you.

South Lanarkshire Council have Nursery Classes in local primary schools and Early Learning and Childcare Centres throughout South Lanarkshire. Our aim is for our children to become “Successful Learners, Confident Individuals, Responsible Citizens and Effective Contributors.”

Modern Apprentices will have the opportunity to learn all aspects of Early Learning and Childcare as well as gain an understanding of current guidance for working with children. This includes Child Health and Development, Curriculum for Excellence, Together We Can and We Will, Realising The Ambition: Being Me, and the Value of Play.

Examples of what Modern Apprentices do: 

• Encourage and support children’s development through a variety of play experiences

• Provide a range of learning opportunities to help children understand the world around them

• Be responsive to children’s needs

• Encourage children’s creativity

• Work with families from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, and actively promote diversity

• Work as part of a team

• Engage in outdoor play with children

Modern Apprentices are supervised and trained in nurseries by qualified staff. They are also required to undertake an SVQ in Social Services Children and Young People (SSCYP) at SCQF level 7 and training, both classroom and online, as well as any additional core training. 

If you are interested in a role within care you should try the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) resource called “A Question of Care” which will help you think about the type of work involved and give you feedback on your responses to typical situations faced in working life. You can access the resource at www.aquestionofcare.org.uk 

At South Lanarkshire Council we are ambitious about diversity and inclusion and want our organisation to reflect the people of South Lanarkshire.  We welcome applications from everyone who meets the entry criteria. As we do not have many disabled, *care experienced, or ethnic minority employees, we would particularly welcome applications from these groups.

Also, due to the fact Early Years is a predominantly female workforce, we would encourage male applicants.

*Care experienced means you are, or were, formally looked after by a local authority, in the family home (with support from social services or a social worker) or elsewhere. For example: in foster care, residential/secure care, or kinship care (with family, friends or relatives).

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS.

• At least three passes at National 5, Intermediate 2 or Standard Grade Credit Level or Equivalent; one of these must be English.
• High standard of communication skills, both written and spoken
• Commitment and ability to study and achieve SVQ in Social Services Children and Young People SCQF level 7. 
• Be resident in South Lanarkshire or have attended secondary school in South Lanarkshire

Your application should provide answers to the following questions.

Please answer these questions on a separate document and upload to your application form as an attachment:

•            Why have you applied for this apprenticeship?

•            What experience do you have looking after children?

•            What do you think South Lanarkshire Council expect from our Modern Apprentices? 

•            What is your understanding of equal opportunities and how it applies to this job? 

Under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007, it is an offence for an individual to apply for any post designated as regulated work from which the individual is barred. 

• Are you barred from working with children and young people?

As part of the Council’s Vocational Development Strategy these vacancies are restricted to applicants who have recently attended a South Lanarkshire Council secondary school and/or live in the South Lanarkshire area. 

• Have you attended a secondary school in South Lanarkshire and/or are resident in South Lanarkshire?

Please note: 

If you currently have any of the following qualifications: HNC in Early Years and Childcare, HNC Childcare and Education, SVQ 3 Childcare and Education, SVQ 3 Children’s Care Learning and Development, SVQ 3 Social Services Children and Young People, MA Early Years and Education, MA Children’s Care Learning and Development, MA Social Services Children and Young People, SNNEB or NNEB you would not be eligible to apply for this post.

View the Early Years Modern Apprentice job profile.

If you require to submit any further additional information to support your application (not a CV), please upload this under supporting documents.

Please Apply online - All correspondence will be via your email address

Preferred candidates identified after the selection event process will be required to assist the recruitment team, if need be, to ensure timely completion of recruitment checks. If recruitment checks are not completed within a reasonable timescale, you may automatically be withdrawn from this position.

Canvassing of Elected Members or employees of South Lanarkshire's Council directly or indirectly in connection with any appointment within the Council shall disqualify the applicant.

Legislative Information

This post is excepted in terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 2003.

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and/or adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children and/or adults.

Preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check, prior to a formal offer of employment being made.

Please refer to http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk for further information about the disclosure process and best practice.

Overseas Criminal Records Check

An Overseas Criminal Records Check is required where applicants born outside the UK (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland) 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. Checks may be carried out to authenticate the documents provided.

Equal Opportunities and Armed Forces Community Covenant

South Lanarkshire Council is an Equal Opportunities employer and encourages applications from all members of the community. 

We are a Disability Confident Scheme Employer and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria of the person specification job description.

South Lanarkshire Council is committed to providing support to members of the armed forces, veterans and their families which is set out in the Armed Forces Community Covenant. Veterans & Service leavers are guaranteed an interview who meet the essential criteria of the person specification job description.

As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:

• 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

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT ACCEPT CVS IN PLACE OF THE APPLICATION FORM.

To be considered for this vacancy you must complete the application form.  All CV submissions will be disregarded.