Pupil Support Assistant
Craigroyston Primary School
Hours - 27.5 Per week
Salary: £25,-£26, (pro rata for part time and sessional), 39 weeks sessional
Purpose of Job:
To work collaboratively as a member of the school or early stages team assisting in meeting the educational, care and welfare needs of all pupils ensuring those with additional support needs who are able to attend a mainstream school, can effectively access the curriculum. To be flexible and assist in carrying out general clerical duties as and when required in support of pupil learning. To provide support and assistance in the day-to-day operations of the school or early stages as directed by the Head Teacher or nominated staff.
Major Tasks:
Under the direction and supervision of teaching or nominated staff, the post holder will be required to support pupils in the classroom and throughout the school learning environment through organised activities, providing support, assistance and encouragement to help each individual child achieve the best learning outcomes possible. Accordingly, a range of tasks may be delegated to Pupil Support Assistants. It is not intended as a complete list of tasks that a Pupil Support Assistant could perform, nor is it intended that a single Pupil Support Assistant would be able to take on all these tasks.
Job Activities
Support for Effective Learning and Teaching
developing good teamwork with teaching and other staff who are supporting pupils
providing support to teachers and pupils in classroom learning/work as planned as part of the teacher's programme; e.g. supporting language, maths, health and well being and general class activities
assisting in supporting pupil's attainment through practical help (e.g. reading and basic scribing) and through implementation of planned programmes
supervising and supporting groups in follow-up tasks set by the teacher, to allow the teacher quality teaching time with other pupils
supporting pupils working together to encourage teamwork and cooperation e.g. playing games which have practice skills, encouraging sharing, turn taking and co-operation
assisting in the use of play and craft activities
encouraging pupil's oral language development through play, books, stories and personal interaction
providing help to pupils in organising their work and to follow instructions
helping with tasks where there are physical difficulties, whilst encouraging independence and ensuring safety and comfort
supervising and escorting pupils within and out with the premises as part of their learning activities e.g. between classrooms, play activities, on educational/shopping trips, swimming lessons, sports events and also to home or hospital
assisting pupils with computer software and equipment
assisting in providing relevant information through record keeping, attendance at appropriate meetings as designated by the head teacher as nominated staff member and contributing to the on going review of pupil programmes
supporting the class teacher in utilising the strategies required
assisting in supporting record keeping by e.g. completing checklists of tasks diaries with individual pupils
noting behavioural and health and welfare needs of pupils and bringing them to the attention of the class teacher
within an agreed framework, assisting in implementing the school's or early years improving relationships and behaviour management policy
working as part of the school staff, ensuring the ongoing health, safety and welfare of the pupils including liaising with parents, professional agencies and individuals and bringing any matters concerning child protection to the attention of the teaching staff in accordance with school procedures and guidelines
supporting positive behaviour and encouraging acceptable choices
assisting the teacher in provision of a high level of individual and personal care to pupils with additional support needs e.g. feeding, toileting, changing, dressing, walking pupils, applying medical aids, assisting pupils with specialist apparatus by means of an agreed individualised school care plan
administrative elements of pupil welfare requirements, including supporting with routine documentation and information dispersal, providing comfort and care for minor accidents, upsets or ailments e.g. cuts and bruises (reporting to teaching staff if considered serious)
assisting in the supervision of pupils on arrival and departure from school and during break times and lunch periods, returning children home on occasion
supervising pupils in non-teaching areas e.g. corridors, cloakrooms, tuck shops, dining rooms, playgrounds
following standard procedures for risk assessment within and out with the classroom environment when required for e.g. games, sport, gardening and out-of-school activities and escalate any concerns to teaching staff
Assisting in programmes for pupils moving into mainstream schools and other specialist provision e.g. supervising and escorting the pupil to the receiving school, assisting with allocated tasks, encouraging the pupil to participate in group activities.
Participating in appropriate professional staff development opportunities, in service, refresher training as deemed appropriate
This post is regulated work with children and/or protected adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act. The preferred candidate will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. Where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check. An unconditional offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre-employment checks being deemed satisfactory.
As part of our goal to improve our organisational culture and create a great place to work together for the people of Edinburgh, we want to make sure that we're bringing the best people into our roles, not just in their skills and experience but also in their approach to work.
To help achieve this, we're changing the way we interview and assess candidates by moving from a competency-based interview approach to a behavioural and technical (skills for the job) based approach. This new way of interviewing will allow us to assess how you think and how you would bring Our Behaviours of Respect, Integrity and Flexibility into your ways of working.
We're committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included and able to be their best at work, and we recognise the benefits that a diverse workforce with different values, beliefs, experience, and backgrounds brings to us as an organisation.
You can find out more on Our Behaviours web page Our Behaviours - The City of Edinburgh Council
Our salary range typically reflects the initial starting salary and annually increases until it reaches the top of the range.
Happy to talk flexible working.