Learning Assistant ASN x2 - Penicuik High School

Job Vacancy

Penicuik High School is a co-educational, non-denominational school built in 1937 and situated on the south-western boundary of Midlothian.  The school is one of two schools which serve the community of Penicuik. Structural changes to the original building have improved some facilities and access but the school is due for refurbishment and some rebuilding and this is scheduled for the current site over the next two years.

The Penicuik Associated Schools Group comprises Cuiken, Strathesk, Cornbank and Sacred Heart Primary Schools.  The current roll is 650. Roll growth will be steady over future years and depending on future developments across the learning estate the roll is expected to grow to over 900 pupils. The school is supported by a very active School Parents’ Association who are our de facto Parent Council.

Penicuik High School is an ambitious school that has undergone a rapid period of change. The school has a vision to be a higher performing school where inclusion, equity and wellbeing are the cornerstone of its delivery of education and this is being realised in our expanded Support and Inclusion Department.

For more information on all aspects of our school and our improvement journey please visit the schools comprehensive website https://penicuik.mgfl.net/

The post-holder will provide support to young people with a wide range of additional support needs.  Working across the school: in mainstream classroom settings, providing one-to-one support, in the Support and Inclusion classrooms and in the Complex Needs Base. If you would enjoy the challenge of working with young people to help them learn and gain essential life skills we would welcome your application.

Evidence of basic literacy and numeracy at Standard Grade General level or SVQ2 in Early Years Care and Education, or National Certificate unit in Childcare & Education, or equivalent competency, to enable the post-holder to communicate effectively with staff and pupils, and provide sensitive support for students with a wide range of support needs, is required.

The post-holder must be familiar with child development and able to respond to the needs of individual pupils. Previous experience of working in this field of work is desirable.

The post-holder should be able to demonstrate:

• An ability to work effectively as part of a fast moving team, working with both students and other members of staff.
• Excellent communication skills.
• The ability to build positive relationships with both students and staff.

Post-holders will be required to undertake addition training courses including Team Teach, First Aid, Calm Techniques, Child Protection and other relevant training.

CLOSING DATE 14 April 2024,

INTERVIEW DATE w/c 22 April 2024

Job Advert

Position Title: Learning Assistant ASN x2

Directorate: Children, Young People and Partnerships

Working from Home: No

Location: Penicuik High School

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work: 27.5

Working Pattern: Flexible across Support for Learning and Complex Needs Base

Weeks per year: 39

Please note that it is Midlothian Councils policy that successful applicants will be appointed to the first point on the salary scale.

Based on you working 27.5 hours over 39 weeks per year the minimum actual salary for this position is £17,027.02 per annum.

Requirements

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children.
Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children, You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you. For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit www.disclosurescotland.gov.uk

Additional Information

If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please call 0131 271 3063 to speak to a member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.

Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you. Thank you for your patience in this matter.