Main Purpose of the Role
Working within Perth & Kinross Council is more than a job. It's about being part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of all we do and provides opportunities to make a real difference by enhancing every life we touch.
We currently have the following opportunity:
Principal Teacher of Early Years Inclusion 0.8FTE (Fixed Term until 31 December 2025) - PKC12478
£57,429 (pro-rata)
Based at 2 High Street, Perth
You will provide leadership and management of the Early Years Inclusion Team and co-ordinate the allocation of support to ELC settings. You will also support development of opportunities for CLPL for the team and across the ELC sector.
You will provide support to Head Teachers and Centre Leaders in respect to children with complex additional support needs. You will also lead quality improvement and provide quality assurance for the team.
Main Accountabilities as Principal Teacher
• Provide line management to Early Years Inclusion Team.
• Oversee Professional Review and Development of Early Years Inclusion Teachers and SSSC registered practitioners, including professional update as required.
• To support recruitment and CLPL for the team.
• Lead self-evaluation and quality assurance of Early Years Inclusion Team support for children, families, and settings.
• Co-ordinate the Early Years Inclusion Team allocation based on need across ELC settings.
• Work in collaboration with ELC settings and families to ensure the needs of children are met through effective use of the Staged Intervention Framework.
• Provide advice, support, and guidance to ELC settings in relation to meeting Additional Support Needs.
• Link with the Promise Improvement Lead to ensure effective support for care experienced children, including those in other local authority settings.
• Deliver training and development opportunities across settings within PKC, in collaboration with other services and partners.
• Provide advice, support, and guidance to parents of children with ASN and promote parental engagement opportunities.
• Undertake appropriate CLPL for self in the role.
Additional Responsibilities
• Work in partnership with agencies, to deliver development opportunities, and increase awareness of interventions or resources to support the delivery of inclusive practice in Perth & Kinross through collaboration with Inclusion Service colleagues.
• Work with the Educational Psychology Team to co-ordinate training as required.
Skills & Experience Required
Knowledge & Experience
You must be able to demonstrate that you:
• Have a diploma/degree in Primary Education.
• Have GTC Scotland registration.
• Are member of the PVG Scheme, or be willing to apply for this.
• Are an experienced and effective as an effective Early Years Practitioner.
• Are experienced in supporting children with a range of additional support needs.
• Can lead and manage change and improvement effectively.
• Have knowledge of current developments in early years policy and practice, both nationally and locally.
• Have knowledge and experience of the application of relational approaches to supporting behaviour.
• Are experienced in working with children with a range of additional support needs, including complex and medical needs.
• Are able to apply a variety of teaching strategies adapted to the needs and interests of the child.
• Are experienced in working successfully with a range of external agencies.
• Have experience of working closely with parents / carers.
• Are an effective communicator across a range of contexts.
• Can use information and communication technology (ICT) effectively.
• Understand national and local priorities.
Ideally you will:
• Have a Post Graduate Qualification in Additional Support Needs, Inclusive Education, Early Years or similar.
• Be confident in trauma informed practice and experienced in supporting children impacted by trauma.
• Have experience of co-ordinating and managing a team.
• Have experience of working with headteachers/managers to improve attainment.
• Have training and experience in Child Protection.
• Be CALM theory trained or willing to undertake CALM theory training.
Any Additional Requirements
• Have a commitment to continuing professional development.
• You must have a valid UK driving licence and / or access to a car for work, as this post requires you to travel to a variety of locations across Perth and Kinross.
Please see the attached Job Profile for a full list of other requirements.
Working at Perth & Kinross Council
We have a vision of a confident and ambitious Perth and Kinross, to which everyone can contribute and all can share.
Our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of our key priorities. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours. Find out more about Perth & Kinross Council and you could soon be joining our team!
Here's what we can offer you :
* A nationally agreed annual leave entitlement
* Eligibility to join the Scottish Teacher's Pension Scheme
* Family friendly and positive work/life balance policies such as Flexible Working, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave, and our Wellbeing Framework
* Access to a range of benefits
We recognise there can be benefits to flexible working and where individual jobs allow, we seek to support this. You are encouraged to discuss potential options with the recruiting manager, if this is of interest to you. A healthy work life balance is important to us and we provide supportive management and, where possible, flexible working arrangements to help you achieve that balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.
Next Steps
We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Kirsty Lockhart, Inclusion Co-ordinator at KLockhart@pkc.gov.uk to find out more.
Click “APPLY NOW”
External candidates are required to provide contact details for 2 referees, including email addresses. One should be your current or most recent employer. If you are already employed as a teacher with Perth & Kinross Council, you are only required to provide 1 reference, which must be from your current Head Teacher.
We welcome applications from everyone and as a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential requirements of the post. Please contact the hiring manager above or the Recruitment Team on (01738) 475555 or recruitment@pkc.gov.uk to discuss any reasonable adjustments. Appointments are based on evidence supplied during the selection process.
Diversity is important to us and although some of our jobs may be perceived to be traditionally gender specific, we welcome applications from everyone and would encourage you to apply if you meet the job requirements. That includes welcoming applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.
Working with children and/or protected adults is regulated work and under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 you will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check.
If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more (continuous or total) within the last 10 years, whilst over the age of 18, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check.
GTCS registration is required.
A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of the above mentioned mandatory pre-employment checks (including references) and will also include eligibility to work in the UK, qualifications and fitness to undertake the post.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .