Learning Assistant (ASN) - Penicuik High School

Midlothian Council; Penicuik; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Midlothian Council seeks part-time support staff at Penicuik High School to assist students with additional support needs. The role involves working closely with students during transitions and supporting behavioural policies, requiring effective communication and teamwork skills. Candidates should hold relevant qualifications and be passionate about helping young people.

Qualifications

• Evidence of basic literacy and numeracy at Standard Grade General level.
• Familiarity with child development.
• Previous experience in a similar field.

Responsibilities

• Providing support to students, including during transitions and lunchtimes.
• Assisting with the implementation of positive behaviour policies.
• Collaborating with the Guidance team.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Child Development

Education

SVQ2 in Early Years Care and Education

National Certificate unit in Childcare & Education

Job description

Location: Penicuik High School 39a Carlops Road, EH26 9EP

Salary: £27,106 - £28,045 per year pro rata

Contract Type: Permanent

Position Type: Part Time

Hours: 25.5 hours per week

Job Vacancy

Penicuik High School is an ambitious school that has undergone a rapid period of change. The school has a vision to be a higher performing school where inclusion, equity and wellbeing are the cornerstone of its delivery of education and this is being realised in our expanded Support and Inclusion Department.

From August 2025 we are entering a period of decant and refurbishment/ rebuild. This post is within the Support and Inclusion area where thepost-holder will provide support to young people, including those with a wide range of additional support needs. The post-holder will work across the school in a variety of settings, including:supporting students at class transition, break and lunch time, assisting with the implementation of our positive behaviour policy and in classroom settings. The successful candidate will also work with our Guidance team. If you would enjoy the challenge of working with young people we would welcome your application.

The post-holder should be able to demonstrate:

• An ability to work effectively as part of a fast moving team, working with both students and other members of staff.
• The ability to build positive relationships with both students and staff.

This successful candidate will start in post on 18 August 2025.

Evidence of basic literacy and numeracy at Standard Grade General level or SVQ2 in Early Years Care and Education, or National Certificate unit in Childcare & Education, or equivalent competency, to enable the jobholder to communicate effectively with staff and pupils, and provide sensitive support.

The jobholder must be familiar with child development and able to respond to the needs of individual pupils. Jobholders should have previous experience of working in this field of work.

To be fully competent in the role jobholders will be required to undertake addition training courses eg first aid, calm techniques etc.

If the post is within a Nursery Environment then the Jobholder must be registered with or obtain membership with the SSSC within 6 months of appointment. In order to register you must currently hold the relevant qualifications or be willing to work towards attaining these qualifications within the first year of registration. For further information about the qualifications recognised by SSSC for registration in a Support Worker role, please see www.sssc.uk.com

Job Advert

Location: Penicuik High School

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work: 25.5

Working Pattern:

Weeks per year: 39

Please note that it is Midlothian Councils policy that successful applicants will be appointed to the first point on the salary scale.

Based on 25.5 hours over 39 weeks per year, the minimum actual salary for this position is £16,557.48 per annum.

Requirements

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children.
Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children, You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you. For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit www.disclosurescotland.gov.uk

Additional Information

If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please call 0131 271 3063 to speak to a member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.

Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you. Thank you for your patience in this matter.

If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.