Pupil Support Assistant, Pitcairn Primary School, Almondbank, Perth

Job Description

Pupil Support Assistant (Fixed Term until 11 August 2024) - PKC10231
£14,671 - £15,574 (27.5 Hours per week, Term-time only)
Pitcairn Primary School, Almondbank, Perth

At Pitcairn Primary we are committed to creating a safe and caring school community where our children are happy, confident and learn to be the best they can.  We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team who is compassionate, empathetic and hard working.  

An opportunity has arisen for a new Pupil Support Assistant role at Pitcairn Primary School.  The post is for 5 hours 30 minutes daily:  Monday – Friday, term time only. 

As a Pupil Support Assistant (PSA), you will work as part of a team supporting children and young people who have additional support needs.

The PSA role is extremely varied, requires flexibility and may include the following:

• Encouraging and supporting children and young people to engage in their learning.
• Providing emotional support and unconditional acceptance of children who may present with distressed and challenging behaviour as a result of their additional support needs.
• Proactive management of strategies identified within Child’s Plans, Risk Assessments and Behaviour Protocols, which support pupils to make positive behaviour choices.
• Implementing specialist programmes as advised by other professionals.
• Planning, organising and managing a range of appropriate activities and resources to meet pupil needs and to improve outcomes, with support of the class teacher.
• Welcoming and departing children at the beginning and end of day.
• Playground and lunchtime support.
• Potential administration of basic first aid. 

Perth & Kinross Council Values and Behaviours

At PKC our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Offer.  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 PKC and you could soon be joining our team!

The Individual

The successful candidate must be committed, motivated and enjoy working at a fast pace. 

We are looking for an enthusiastic, nurturing individual who has a positive and solution-focused attitude and can demonstrate:

• A genuine interest in the development of children and their wellbeing.
• Ability to build positive, nurturing relationships with children, young people and colleagues.
• Kindness, empathy, patience and an ability to engage with children and young people.
• Confidentiality in relation to children, young people and their families.
• Experience (paid/voluntary) of supporting children and young people with additional support needs.
• Willingness to support all children and young people to address their barriers to learning by supporting the meeting of their needs.
• Ability to identify and manage potential risks to self and others, implement existing guidelines and seek advice when required.
• Sufficient digital skills to operate and maintain relevant systems and equipment necessary for completing assigned tasks, as well as to record and share pupils’ changing needs thus ensuring information is kept up to date.

Please refer to the Job Profile for details of the knowledge, skills and behaviours we are looking for. 

If you would like any more information regarding this vacancy, please contact Jenny Ballantine, Head Teacher, on 01738 477560

When completing your application for this post, please ensure that you provide contact details (including e-mail addresses) for two referees. One should be your current or most recent employer.

Please APPLY ONLINE.  Facilities are available at all public libraries in Perth and Kinross.  If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments, please call 01738 475555 to discuss.

As part of our safer recruitment measures, Perth & Kinross Council carries out rigorous checks on the right to work in the UK, qualifications, employment history, including references, and fitness to undertake the post.

A healthy work life balance is important to Perth & Kinross Council and we provide supportive management and flexible working arrangements to help you achieve a healthy work life balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

Some jobs may have been traditionally carried out predominately by one gender, but we would encourage you to apply if you meet the requirements, irrespective of your gender. 

Perth & Kinross Council welcomes 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.

Find out more about working for Perth & Kinross Council and living in one of the most scenic areas of Scotland  Jobs, careers and employment.

What we can do for you

If you are successful in a role with Perth & Kinross Council, you will have access to a range of benefits to help your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.