We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic support worker to work within our Breakfast and After School Club, supporting children aged 4-12 with engaging, high-quality care and play opportunities. You will work within a team of around 9 staff, supervising play and work activities, to help children learn and develop.
To apply, please send your CV (include email and contact number) and a cover letter outlining how you meet the criteria to
The role includes:
1. Prepare play activities.
2. Provide full care for children to go to and from out of school care including picking up from school.
3. Providing a snack for children while adhering to and promoting healthy eating.
4. Prepare the facility for the day’s activities and arrange resources as required.
5. Make sure the play area is safe and tidy.
6. Understand your duties and obligations under the National Care Standards and the SSSC Codes of Practice.
7. Be able to work effectively in a team
8. Attend training courses to develop their professional development
9. Adhere to staff: child ratios at all times.
10. All staff must read and adhere to all club’s policies and procedures.
Personal Qualities and Skills
11. You must understand the importance of play to children's physical, social and emotional development and self-expression. You must have enough imagination to plan stimulating activities, and enough awareness of safety to avoid hazards. Creative skills are useful in activities relating to art, music and drama.
12. As a support worker you must enjoy working with children. You must be caring, understanding and able to give encouragement. A friendly, cheerful personality is helpful, along with a sense of fun, stamina and lots of energy.
13. The work involves lifting, bending and other physical activity, so you must be physically fit.
14. Patience and tolerance are very important: you must be able to cope with noise and demands for your attention. You must be able to use initiative, stay calm under pressure, and respond quickly and calmly to emergencies. Knowledge of first aid is useful.
15. Good communication skills are needed, not just to work with children, but to build friendly and open relationships with parents, carers or guardians.
16. Be honest and trustworthy and have ability to use your own initiative
1st post hours of work 25 hours
Monday to Friday 07:30 – 09:00 and 14:30 – 18:00
2nd post hours of work 10.5 hours
Monday – Wednesday 14:30 – 18:00
Pay: £12.24 per hour
£12.44 if successful candidate holds relevant SVQ 3
(Training opportunities/qualifications can be undertaken in post)
Essential criteria
17. Experience of working with children in a group setting.
18. Ability to work as part of a team.
19. Understanding of children’s health, safety and wellbeing needs.
20. Ability to communicate effectively with children and adults.
Desirable Criteria
21. SVQ Level 2/3 in Playwork, Childcare, or equivalent.
22. First Aid or Food Hygiene certificates.
23. Experience of supporting children with additional support needs.
24. Knowledge of GIRFEC and SHANARRI principles.
Opportunity for overtime during term time and summer holidays
This job is for term time hours only – for exact dates please refer to South Lanarkshire school holidays -
Location: based within Strathaven After School Club, Ashkirk Road, MLJT
Application Deadline: Friday 27th March ; Please note if we have sufficient interest this post may be closed to applications before this date
Strathaven After School Club was established in and is situated within Wester Overton Primary School. The Club is a registered charity (charity number: SC). We are a non-profit making organisation and are overseen by a Board of Directors, all of whom have children attending the Club. We currently have children attending from Wester Overton, Kirkland Park, St Patrick’s, Glassford, Sandford and Gilmourton primary schools.