Thank you for your interest in this position
Welcome to Fife
Education and Childrens Services
I am proud to be Chief Executive of Fife Council. Working with colleagues and
councillors, together we provide vital public services for over 360,000 people and
believe our role is to help improve lives and communities.
Childcare Practitioner
(Mainstream Services)
We are ambitious for Fife but our most challenging years ever lie ahead. More and
more people need our help and we’re focussed on reducing inequalities and
increasing opportunities throughout our communities. And yet, like the rest of the
public and voluntary sector, we have less money and fewer staff to get the job
done.
These are challenging times, but it’s also an exciting time to be in local
government. We’ve got a unique opportunity to redesign the way we provide
services and make a positive difference.
We’re looking for enthusiastic people with compassion and respect for the
residents of Fife, who are ready to help us transform local services for the future.
Steve Grimmond
Chief Executive, Fife Council
If you have any queries about the job information pack or application process, please contact the Transactions Recruitment Team.
You can do this by telephoning 03451 550088, (VOIP 2000 if internal to Fife Council), or by emailing [email protected]
.The Transactions Recruitment Team are located in Fife Council, Fife House, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 5LT. We value diversity and are
striving towards equality of opportunity. All applicants will be considered fairly and on merit.
Job Profile
Job Title:
Childcare Practitioner (Mainstream Services)
File Reference Number:
Directorate and
Service:
Education and Childrens Services
Reports to:
Childcare Manager
Grade:
FC 3
Job Purpose:
Childcare Practitioners are responsible for planning, organising and taking part in play and leisure activities for
children and young people aged between 4 and 14 years. The work is varied involving activities ranging from art,
crafts or drama, to taking children on outings, and from cookery to outdoor games or active sports.
Key Tasks &
Responsibilities:
Main Responsibilities
Key Areas: 1. Supervision and Care of Children and Young People
2. Activity Planning
3. Direct Play Work
4. General
Supervision and Care of Children and Young People
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January 2016
Provide full care for children including the delivery to school following Breakfast Club or safe collection after
school.
To be aware and alert to situations of child neglect and possible abuse and act in accordance with the
Education and Children’s Services Policies and Procedures and Inter-Agency Guidelines.
To assist in the preparation and service of snacks / refreshments for the children; which must be prepared
in hygienic surroundings and support children and young people’s physical health through encouraging a
healthy lifestyle and providing nutritional food and drinks.
Page 2 of 7
Job Profile
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To work in partnership with parents / carers and sometimes other professionals to encourage open
communication and involvement in the Out of School Club.
To give children the choice and freedom to spend their leisure time in their own way.
To encourage fair and caring behaviour, among the children and staff, promoting anti-discriminatory
practice
To listen to children about any concerns or worries they may have, acting as advocate or mediator when
appropriate.
To be aware of and respond positively to the ethnic, social, cultural and gender differences among the
children.
To be a good role model for the children.
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To support and promote practice that reflects the needs and protects the rights of children & young people
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Activity Planning
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To engage and consult with children and colleagues to plan, prepare, provide and evaluate a variety of
stimulating, creative, and age and stage appropriate play opportunity planners for the children, ensuring
that individual children’s needs are met.
To provide materials, equipment to create play spaces and play opportunities in a responsible and safe
way, which supports self directed play.
Direct Play Work
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January 2016
Provide a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere within the club.
Supervise and where appropriate, engage in play activities with the children, actively encouraging the
children’s participation at all times.
Carry out risk assessment in relation to children’s activities and club outings.
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Job Profile
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Maintain a safe, secure and friendly environment for the children and deal with any emergencies, injuries
and incidents that may arise.
General
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To maintain daily registers, children’s records and similar child related information, including accepting
payments of fees from parents/carers.
To carry out daily health and safety checks.
To maintain high standards of hygiene and health and safety in respect of physical resources, childcare
practices and child protection.
Implement organisational procedures for accidents, incidents, illnesses and other emergencies
To work flexibly as part of the larger Fife Childcare Services team, assisting and supporting colleagues
wherever required in order to ensure the smooth running of the service.
To deputise as may be required, for the Childcare Manager or Senior Childcare Practitioner.
To attend out of working hours activities, including; training, staff meetings, parent’s evenings and special
events.
To respect and value all colleagues, children and parents, encouraging a positive and diverse working
environment in line with the Fife Council Equal Opportunities Policy.
To actively contribute to the continuous improvement of childcare within Fife Childcare Services in
accordance with Fife Council policies & procedures and Care Commission Standards.
To be aware of Health & Safety and to take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of others who may be
affected by your acts or omissions at work.
General Tasks &
Responsibilities:
January 2016
Other Duties
The jobholder may be required to perform duties, appropriate to the job, other than those given in the job profile.
The particular duties and responsibilities attached to a job may vary from time to time without changing the overall
purpose of the job and would not, therefore, justify reconsidering the grade of the job. Such variations would be
reflected in an updated job profile.
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Job Profile
Special Conditions:
Other Information
This post will require PVG membership prior to confirming appointment.
You will normally be based in a single location but may be required to cover at other services in the area or to
relocate to meet the needs of the service.
You must either be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) prior to appointment or register
within 6 months of the date of your appointment and maintain registration throughout the period of employment.
January 2016
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Person Specification
Childcare Practitioner (Mainstream Services)
Within Education and Children’s Service
Attributes
Essential
Desirable
Assessment
Experience
Experience of working with children aged 4 – 14
years in a play, care or learning environment
e.g. an educational setting, nursery, voluntary
organisation such as Scouting/ Guiding or Youth
Work
Practical experience of providing care for
each child as an individual which may
include providing personal or intimate
care
Application
You must be eligible to register with SSSC as
a Practitioner and either hold an SVQ Level 3
in Playwork, SVQ 3 Social Services (Children
and Young People) at SCQF Level 7, HNC
Early Education and Childcare or be willing to
work towards qualifications that will help you to
maintain your registration.
Food & Hygiene Certificate
Education,
Qualifications
Training and
Professional
Memberships.
Interview
Experience of using Reflective Practice
methods to improve outcomes for children
Application
Interview
First Aid Certificate
Willingness to undertake all further relevant
training and/or additional qualifications identified
by Fife Childcare Services
Skills, Abilities &
Knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of The Scottish
Social Services Council (SSSC) Codes of
Practice
Ability to work flexibly in order to meet
children’s needs
Knowledge of GIRFEC and how it impacts on
practice
January 2016
Knowledge and understanding of :
Application
 Management of risk in a play setting
including dynamic risk assessment
 Childcare Practitioner’s role in regard
to Child Protection
 Child Development
Interview
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Person Specification
Childcare Practitioner (Mainstream Services)
Within Education and Children’s Service
Attributes
Interpersonal &
Communication
Skills
Essential
Knowledge and understanding of children’s
rights and the ability to promote this in the care
setting
Desirable
Assessment
 How to support children with or without
additional support needs who may be
displaying challenging behaviour
 Autism and how it can affect children
and young people
Good communication skills
Application
Experience of forming good working
relationships with colleagues and working cooperatively in a team
Interview
Able to demonstrate a willingness and ability to
engage fully with children and young people
Health & Physical
Attributes
Ability to provide a regular and effective
service
Pre-employment
health screening
How We Work
Matters
OD12 How We Work Matters details the
behaviours are required for successful
performance in the role.
Application
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January 2016
Interview
Working Together
Delivering Results
Taking Ownership
Customer Focus
Embracing Technology and Information
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