Care Assistant - Respite

Fife Council; Cowdenbeath; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension

32 days annual leave rising to 37 days

Employee benefits package

Job summary

Fife Council in Cowdenbeath is seeking a Care Assistant to support people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental ill health in respite and community settings. You will help service users develop independence and social skills, with a person-centred approach.

The role requires Moving and Handling, good communication, and flexibility to cover early/late shifts and sleep-ins as part of a 24/7 service. Induction and mandatory training are provided.

Qualifications

• Must have or be willing to achieve SCQF level 6 or equivalent to meet Scottish Social Services Council registration.
• Ability to undertake Moving and Handling tasks including pushing and pulling wheelchairs.
• Flexibility to work days/evenings/weekends and sleep-ins.
• Good communication, organisational skills, and ability to work with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Promote social inclusion for people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental ill health in a range of settings.
• Support service users by increasing social and independent living skills.
• Perform personal care and Moving and Handling tasks in line with service requirements.

Skills

Moving and Handling

Communication skills

Teamworking

Literacy skills

IT skills

Education

SCQF level 6 (SVQ2) or equivalent

Job description

Job Description

Proposed Interview Date: Week Commencing 19 October 2026

Closing Date: Sunday 11 October 2026

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: FC4 £26,786.83 to £29,170.80

Working Pattern: 36 and 21 hours per week, as per the needs of the service, including early shifts, late shifts, sleepovers, wakened nightshift, public holidays including Christmas and New Year, support is provided to service users on a 24/7 basis

Location: Cowdenbeath

Job Details

The successful candidate will promote social inclusion and offer opportunities for people with Learning disabilities, Physical disabilities and mental ill health in a range of settings including Respite/Short Break facility and in a range of community settings.

You will support Service Users by increasing their social and independent living skills in a person centered way that promotes the principles of social inclusion.

Duties include all aspects of personal care, must have the physical ability to undertake all Moving and Handling manoeuvres and tasks including the pushing and pulling of wheelchairs, and all aspects of C.A.L.M.

Flexibility will be required in the way the days/hours are worked for each post dependent on the needs of service users. The successful candidate will work on an as required basis which includes days, evenings, weekends, sleep-ins, and wakened nights, including public holidays, Christmas and New Year.

The successful candidate will promote social inclusion by working with people to maximise their personal independence, health and wellbeing to access opportunities in their local communities. The role will include working as part of a team as well as lone working. The successful candidate must have the ability to work within a team as well as lone working, due to the requirements blended working is not an option, full service induction and mandatory training will be given.

Benefits of working for Fife Council

• Auto enrolment onto the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• With 32 annual leave days rising to 37 days after 5 years.
• Employee Benefits - Employees have access to a benefits package that offers discounts on a wide range of products and services.

All employees are expected to display and promote certain behaviours in the workplace. Refer to our 'How We Work Matters' behaviour framework.

The Person

Must have or be willing to achieve in the first period of registration, the Social Services and Healthcare SCQF level 6 (equivalent to SVQ2) or equivalent to meet Scottish Social Services Council registration.

Duties include all aspects of personal care, have the ability to undertake all Moving and Handling tasks including the pushing and pulling of wheelchairs, and all aspects of C.A.L.M.

Flexibility will be required in the way the days/hours are worked dependent on the needs and requirements of service users.

The successful candidate will work on an as required basis which includes days, evening, weekends, sleep-ins, and wakened nights, including public holidays, including Christmas and New Year.

The successful candidate will promote social inclusion by working with people to maximise their personal independence, health and wellbeing and to access opportunities in their local communities.

The successful candidate must demonstrate good communication skills, organisational skills, Ability to manage and prioritise workload, Ability to work with minimal supervision, Team working skills, Literacy skills, and have IT skills.

The successful candidate must have the ability to establish and maintain professional relationships in respect of service users, carers and colleagues by participating in open and sensitive dialogue.

Successful applicants with be provided with all necessary training such as Moving and Handling, C.A.L.M and Mandatory training as per organisations requirements. etc. You must be able to undertake All Moving & handling training, Physical Intervention training and must be of good physical health.

The role of the Care Assistant can be physically and emotionally demanding.

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

You are required to register with Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) within 6 months of taking up employment in this role and to complete the required Post Registration Training and Learning (PRTL) over the first registration period.

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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For Further Information Please Contact: [e-mail]