General Assistant

Dumfries and Galloway Council; Dumfries; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 14,000; Part time

Job summary

Dumfries and Galloway Council is looking for enthusiastic General Assistants to support secondary school pupils with severe and complex needs at Langlands School. The part-time positions offer a chance to make a significant impact on students’ lives through dedicated support. Experience with children and minimum educational qualifications are key requirements for applicants.

Benefits

Access to Vivup platform with discounts

Cycle-to-Work scheme

Financial support from My Money Matters

Guidance from trained Wellbeing Champions

Qualifications

• Experience with children having severe and complex additional support needs is advantageous.
• Ability to support pupils with communication, autism, and physical disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Support health and wellbeing of secondary school pupils with additional support needs.
• Assist pupils with eating and drinking during lunchtime and provide personal care.

Skills

Experience working with children and young people

Building positive relationships

Willingness to undertake training

Education

English and Maths Standard Grades (or equivalent)

Job description

Location: Langlands Special School North West Community Campus Alloway Road Dumfries, DG2 9DF

Salary: £12,862.24 - £13,656.58 per year

Contract Type: Temporary

Position Type: Part Time

Hours: 20 hours per week

Advert

We are seeking to appoint enthusiastic General Assistants with the desired personal qualities and skills to join the Langlands School staff team. You will be required to support the health and wellbeing of secondary school pupils with severe and complex additional support needs. The role will include supporting pupils at lunchtime with eating and drinking as well as with activities just before, during and immediately after the lunch break, including intimate personal care.

There are two posts available working 20 hours per week over 39 weeks per year. These positions are fixed term until 18 August 2026. This post may be suitable for secondment. Agreement from your line manager must be sought before applying for this post.

The successful candidates will have experience working with children and young people, have English and Maths Standard Grades (or equivalent) as a minimum, and be able to build positive relationships with young people.

Experience of working with children/young people who have additional support needs would be advantageous. A willingness to undertake training will be required. Langlands School provides education to secondary aged young people with severe and complex needs, and therefore you will be required to support pupils who have a wide range of needs including communication, autism, visual impairment and physical disabilities.

These posts are considered as Regulated Work with Vulnerable Children, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. From 28 February 2011, preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG scheme update check prior to formal offer of employment being made by Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Applicants who have been resident outside the UK within the last 5 years, if offered a position, in addition to a Disclosure Scotland Check, will be required to provide a completed police record check from the police authority in the country or countries in which they were resident.

With an exciting benefits package, working for Dumfries and Galloway Council supports you to invest in your own health and wellbeing. Employees have access to our bespoke Vivup platform with over 800 discounts on everyday essentials from top UK retailers, restaurants, utility providers and more. Employees also get access to exclusive discounts from local businesses, a Cycle-to-Work scheme, financial support from My Money Matters, and guidance from our trained Wellbeing Champions.

Here at Dumfries and Galloway Council we are committed to equality, diversity and equal opportunity with our values, which include treating everyone with dignity, fairness and respect, driving us to tackle inequality. We are looking for people that can bring different perspectives and experiences and especially welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our organisation.

For further information please contact: Barry Smith, Headteacher by email: [e-mail]