Senior Childcare Practitioner

Working Pattern: 16.25 hrs per week (Monday to Friday between14:45 to 18:00 and 07:30 to 18:00 during school holidays)

Location: Carleton After school club, Glenrothes

Purpose and Values of Education Directorate

The Education Directorate is committed to Improving Life Chances for All through a wide range of direct services which support our children, young people, families and the wider Fife community. Our approach to improvement is rooted in our core values:  Compassion, Ambition, Respect and Equity which reflect the ethos, culture and practice principles of all staff across the directorate. We strive to ensure that our attitudes and behaviour reflect these core values in all our dealings with children, young people, their families, and the wider community in partnership with those who support them.

Supporting Statement  

As part of your application, you must provide us with a Supporting Statement which outlines to us how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy. For more information, check out the How to Apply section of our Career Site. Without a Supporting Statement, your application will not be progressed. Please upload your Supporting Statement at the section marked ‘upload resumé’. Your Supporting Statement must not be a CV. More information is available on our Career site at www.fife.gov.uk/jobs/supportingstatement.

Please include as part of your supporting statement:

• Your experience of working with children and young people 

• Your experience of supervising and leading a team.

Job Details

Are you enthusiastic about making a difference in the lives of children and young people in Fife?  Fife Council’s Out of School Clubs are the perfect place for you! 

We support families by providing a safe and fun environment for children and young people while their parents/carers attend work, training, or further education. Our clubs offer a wide range of play-based activities that keep the children engaged and happy.

Senior Childcare Practitioners:

• Oversee the day to day running of the club

• Are responsible for ensuring the planning and supervision of activities with children and young people

• Supervise a small team of childcare practitioners

• Organise play area, provide appropriate resources and equipment.

• Create a safe, inviting space to allow children and young people to enjoy their leisure time in their own way

• Encourage independence, build self-esteem, and support children to try new skills and experiences

• Provide healthy and nutritious snacks taking account of dietary and nutritional needs.

• Support children and young people on a one-to-one basis when required

• Deal with injuries and emergencies

• Build professional relationships with parents/carers and other professional

• Think forward and be flexible in your approach 

• Support the Childcare Manager with all aspects of the delivery of an effective out of school service

The Person

We are looking for someone who: 

• Has experience of working with children and young people within a play, care or learning setting

• Has supervisory experience, preferably within a childcare service.

• Holds a formal qualification such as an SVQ 3 Social Services (Children and Young People)

• Is fun, engaging, adaptable, passionate about working with children and young people.

If you want to find out what it is like to work in an Out of School Club?  Watch Madara and Ross share what a typical day looks like and why they love their roles.

Before confirming to your appointment, you will be required to obtain Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership through Disclosure Scotland and become a member of the relevant PVG scheme.

As this role requires SSSC registration, the successful applicant will have three months to apply for registration.  

If appointed, you must start your application as soon as possible so you're registered within the required six months. 

If you need to achieve a qualification to maintain your SSSC membership, information will be provided if you are appointed. You must ensure you complete the qualification within the specified timeframe.

More details are included in the role profile.

Further Information

• Role Profile - When preparing your supporting statement, review the role profile and think about how you meet the essential criteria Role Profile

• How We Work Matters - Our employees are expected to display and promote certain behaviours in the workplace. See our How We Work Matters behaviour framework for more information.

• Employee Benefits - Employees have access to a benefits package that offers discounts on a wide range of products and services

• Directorate Information - Council Department information

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• Alternative Formats- Job information can be made available in alternative formats, to make a request please email: [email protected]

• AI - We recognise that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used by many people when they are applying for jobs and preparing for interview.  Candidate guidance on the use of AI in the recruitment process is available here

For further information please contact: Cathy Hammond - [email protected]