Pupil Support Assistant (Hearing Support Service) - ABC13982

Job Purpose:

Before applying for this job, it is important that you read the guidance by clicking on this link and the Job Profile attached. These explain the job role and the type of person we're looking for.

Location: Aberdeen City, Scotland, United Kingdom,
Duration: Permanent, Part Time

Roles that require PVG Membership

Please note that with effect from 1 April 2023, where a role requires PVG membership, candidates will be required to meet the cost of the PVG membership. This applies only to roles with a full time equivalent salary of £30,000 and above. (Teaching roles and jobs at Grade 11 and above (currently £31,505 per annum / £17.31 per hour)

The Council will pay for the PVG membership cost initially, either £18 for existing PVG scheme members, or £59 for non-members, and this cost will be deducted from an employee’s first FULL month’s salary payment.

Job purpose/about the role

To help promote effective learning, teaching, personal development and an atmosphere where pupils can achieve to reach their potential under direction and supervision.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Hearing Support Service as a Pupil Support Assistant (PSA). In this role, you will help us provide high-quality, personalised support to children and young people with hearing loss across Aberdeen City. Working as part of our specialist peripatetic team, you will support learners from nursery to S6, adapting to a range of communication needs, learning environments, and individual strengths. You will work collaboratively with young people, staff and key stakeholders to promote access to learning, communication, independence, and inclusion. The role involves responding flexibly to need and may require travel during the working day to a variety of settings, including schools, community venues, and outdoor learning environments. We are looking for someone with an interest in supporting children and young people with additional support needs and ideally experience of working with learners who require tailored approaches to learning and communication. Knowledge of British Sign Language (BSL), or a willingness to develop BSL skills, would be advantageous. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone passionate about inclusion, communication, and improving outcomes for children and young people, offering the chance to make a meaningful difference to the learning journeys of learners with hearing loss.

The post holder needs to hold as a minimum:

• PVG Scheme membership for regulated work with children and/or protected adults, or a willingness to obtain this prior to any formal offer of employment being made.
• Experience of working with children and young people who require additional support to access learning and communication.

The postholder is able to demonstrate:

• Effective oral communication, literacy and numeracy skills.
• Empathy, patience and a positive approach to supporting learners with additional support needs.
• The ability to build and maintain positive relationships with others.
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Flexibility and adaptability in responding to a range of learner needs and environments.
• Skills in British Sign Language (BSL), or a willingness to develop these.

About Us

Please see the Job Profile for further details.

Aberdeen City Council is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. For further information, please see our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Recruitment pack.

Flexible Working

We are happy to talk flexible working and offer flexible working for most roles in the organisation meaning that many of our employees enjoy the freedom of choosing a working pattern that suits them as much as it suits the organisation.

Disability Confident

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you consider yourself to have a disability and think you may require a reasonable adjustment to be made for this part of the selection process, or would like further information in relation to reasonable adjustments, please contact AskHR@aberdeencity.gov.uk.

Armed Forces

We are a forces-friendly employer, have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a gold award recipient in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We have a specific email address for those in the forces, those who have left the forces, as well as their partners / spouses / families: armedforces@aberdeencity.gov.uk. We are able to answer questions about jobs and our application / selection process, as well as about our employee support provisions.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We have a number of guaranteed interview schemes available to applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role they are applying for who:

• have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 (all jobs)
• looked after young people, those that are in continuing care or are a care leaver up to the age of 29 (all jobs)
• are aged 16-24 and live in Aberdeen City or have been to an Aberdeen City Council school and are applying for a Modern Apprenticeship (except Trades apprenticeships)
• have done a Foundation Apprenticeship with Aberdeen City Council and are applying for any apprenticeships relevant to the area in which they did their Foundation Apprenticeship
• are New Scots aged 16-24 and are applying for any apprenticeships

Please note that eligibility to work in the UK is dependent on legal status and all applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK.