EDUC 889 - School Support Assistant - Various Locations

Please ensure to answer all 4 questions below, providing no more than 2000 words per question. You must attach/upload a separate document with your answers to each question.

• Please describe any situations where you have supported children displaying distressed behaviour, explaining the approaches that you used. (max 2000 words)
• Communication skills are a critical part of working in a team. Please describe a time when you have had to contribute constructively to a meeting or discussion. (max 2000 words)
• Please describe a time when you have had to adapt your approach to address changing priorities. (max 2000 words
• Please describe a situation where you have used planning and organising skills to achieve an efficient outcome. (max 2000 words)
Within South Lanarkshire Council it is our mission to deliver positive, meaningful outcomes for our young people. In Education Resources we aim to provide an exceptional learning and working environment within our establishments for pupils and staff. We work in partnership with services and families to focus on the national priorities to improve literacy, numeracy, and health & wellbeing outcomes. To help meet these needs where a child requires support over and above that provided by their Class Teacher or Early Years Key Worker, we have a flexible role that encompasses three main elements of additional support needed for our schools and pupils. In the role of School Support Assistant (SSA) you will probably work mainly within one of these disciplines but it's also possible you could work across all three at different times. The flexible role is designed to allow SSAs to work together as a team to support diverse need of the pupils and the school. The nature of schools and pupils means these needs change and can be re-prioritised on a regular basis. This keeps the job of a School Support Assistant dynamic, absorbing and challenging. In that context, hard work and flexibility is key for successful candidates. The rewards of the role in return are very attractive. As well as the progress and achievements of the young people you support, the posts are mainly term time, so having the same holidays as schools means these jobs are ideal for people seeking a positive work/life balance. You'd also be joining a Local Authority that values its staff. We are a family friendly employer who understands the needs of our employees through a range of supportive policies. You'd have excellent job security and employee benefits. You'd have access to a very well-developed training and development programme for School Support Assistants.

Candidates should be able to detail any gaps in employment and provide a foreign police check where applicable for any periods living or working abroad.

As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:
• Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
• Occupational sick pay
• Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave, enhanced leave.
• Employee Discounts - including discounts at the cinema.
Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support)