Reposted 8 days ago

Support Worker - Early Learning & Childcare - Urafirth Primary School - SIC07977

Shetland Islands Council
Pay £20.0k–£30.0k per year
Location Assater
Contract time Part time, permanent

The Breakroom Take

8.2

Rated 8.2 out of 10, based on 21 employees who took the Breakroom Quiz

See all job reviews

  • Good employer
  • Proper training
  • Learn new skills
  • Proper breaks

About Shetland Islands Council

Shetland Islands Council is a Scottish local authority. They oversee local services.

Job description from Shetland Islands Council

Advertisement Details

The purpose of this post is to work effectively as a member of an Early Learning and Childcare team to support in the delivery of a high quality, safe and balanced education and care service, which meets the needs of each young child and their families and is in accordance with relevant legislation and guidelines.

Post holders must apply for and maintain registered status with the registering body as long as the post is held.

The main duties of the Support Worker are:

  • To work effectively as a member of the Early Learning and Childcare team.
  • To interact effectively, enthusiastically and appropriately with young children to meet their individual education and care needs.
  • To promote and value each child and support their welfare, including their personal, social and emotional wellbeing.
  • To comply with relevant legislation, guidelines and procedures relating to learning, care and health and safety including Child Protection procedures and Health and Safety guidelines.
  • To contribute to the provision of a range of developmentally appropriate learning activities, in line with local and national advice and guidance including planned and spontaneous play activities, real life experiences and outdoor learning.
  • To maintain a positive, child centred, inclusive and nurturing environment.
  • To observe children in the course of interaction and respond appropriately, recording observations as required and reporting progress or concerns to senior team members.

This vacancy is being advertised as a Career Graded post, which is a career development opportunity. This means that the Council is committed to supporting the successful candidate to obtain the necessary skills, abilities and knowledge to become fully competent in the role. Please see the Career Grade document attached to this advert that outlines the entry level requirements for the job and the expected career progression route. The successful candidate will be supported to become fully competent in the role and progress through the career grade. Where there is a requirement to achieve a qualification, this will be fully funded by the Council.

Urafirth Primary School is a non-denominational school located in Heylor. It provides nursery to P7 education for children from Eshaness, Hillswick, Urafirth, Heylor and Hamar. The structure of the school is 1 nursery class and 2 multi-composite primary classes. There is currently a total of 21 pupils on the roll. The school is managed by Wendy Fraser, who is a teaching Head Teacher. The current staffing complement is 3 teachers (FTE) assisted by support staff as required to meet school demands. Further information can be sought by e-mailing wendy.fraser@shetland.gov.uk

More detail is provided in the Job Profile, Person Specification and Conditions of Service Summary attached to the bottom of this advert.

Additional Information

  • The grade of this post is E/F
  • This post is career graded - your salary and career progression will depend on your experience and qualifications
  • Rate of pay shown in the advert is inclusive of Distant Islands Allowance £1.4808 per hour
  • Permanent Part Time post for 15.0 Hours per Week , 40.5 weeks per year plus 6.48 weeks (pro rata) paid holiday to be taken during school holidays.
  • Preferred candidates will be required to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check prior to a formal offer of employment being made
  • The successful candidate will have to complete registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) when they begin in post
  • This vacancy does not meet Home Office rules for UK visa sponsorship. Please only apply if you do not require UK visa sponsorship.
  • A relocation package does not apply to this post
  • We will pay interview expenses from within Shetland
  • We are happy to talk flexible working

During the application process you are required to give the names of two persons not related to you, who we can contact to provide a reference to support your application.

This post is based at Urafirth Primary School.

For further details relating to this post, please contact: Wendy Fraser, Head Teacher, on 01595 807460 or e-mail wendy.fraser@shetland.gov.uk

If you have a disability which prevents you from applying online, please call 01595 744032.

Information about Shetland

Shetland is an archipelago in the north of the British Isles where you'll find freedom, wildlife and wild beauty, but also a rich culture and dynamic, forward-looking society. The Islands have a thriving and diverse economy full of opportunities and offer residents the ideal work/life balance. Shetland combines stunning coastal landscapes and wide open spaces with friendly, bustling island communities. Factor in Shetland's impressive modern amenities, highly regarded schools and the Islands offer a work life balance rarely found elsewhere.

Find out more about:

Living and working in Shetland: here

The Shetland Islands Council: here

Job insights from Breakroom

Nursery nurses and assistants

Nursery nurses and assistants help babies and children up to 5 years old to develop and learn preschool skills

What you’ll do as a teaching assistant:

  • Support in the nursery or preschool
  • Support children with their educational needs
  • Be responsible for the health and safety of children
  • Listen, support and care for children

Is it right for you?

This job may involve:

  • Standing
  • Sitting
  • Physical activities
  • Using a computer
  • Emotionally demanding duties

Map

Assater

A map of the rough location for this vacancy

What employees say

Pay

    Good
  • Most people are paid a living wage

    Do Shetland Islands Council pay a living wage?

    Most people are paid a living wage.

    How we know this

    100% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they live.

    Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should be paid enough to live on.

    The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.

    The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.

    Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.

  • Good
  • Most people are paid market rates

    Do Shetland Islands Council pay market rates?

    Most people are paid above average for their job.

    How we know this

    90% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.

    Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get paid breaks

    Do workers at Shetland Islands Council get paid breaks?

    Sometimes. Only some people get paid breaks.

    How we know this

    36% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.

    Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job should have paid breaks.

    You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.

  • Good
  • Most people get sick pay

    Do Shetland Islands Council pay sick pay?

    Yes. Most people get proper sick pay.

    How we know this

    83% of people say they would get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.

    Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.

    At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.

    This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.

Hours and flexibility

    Okay
  • Only some people get a choice of shifts

    Do Shetland Islands Council workers get to choose the shifts they work?

    Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.

    How we know this

    60% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.

    Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.

  • Good
  • Easy to book holiday

    How easy is it to book a holiday at Shetland Islands Council?

    Most people find it easy to book holiday.

    How we know this

    82% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.

    Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.

  • Good
  • Most people find it easy to take sick leave

    How easy is it to take sick leave at Shetland Islands Council?

    Most people find it easy to take sick leave.

    How we know this

    85% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.

    Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.

    A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.

Workplace

    Okay
  • Only some people feel treated with respect

    Do people at Shetland Islands Council feel treated with respect by their managers?

    Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.

    How we know this

    40% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.

    Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.

  • Good
  • Most people get proper breaks

    Do people at Shetland Islands Council get proper breaks?

    Most people get proper breaks.

    How we know this

    67% of people report that they get to take proper breaks.

    Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people are stressed

    Is it stressful to work at Shetland Islands Council?

    Most people feel stressed here.

    How we know this

    73% of people say they often feel stressed at work.

    Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.

    Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.

  • Okay
  • Only some people recommend their team

    Do people at Shetland Islands Council recommend working with their team?

    Only some people recommend working with their team.

    How we know this

    54% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.

    Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job means enjoying the place where you work.

    The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.

    If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.

  • Good
  • Most people get enough training

    Do people get enough training when they start at Shetland Islands Council?

    Most people got enough training when they started.

    How we know this

    100% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.

    Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.

    This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.

    It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.

  • Good
  • Most people get support to progress

    Are people given support to progress at Shetland Islands Council?

    Most people are given support to progress here.

    How we know this

    In the last year, 70% of people report being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.

    Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.

    This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.

  • Needs improving
  • Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening

    Do people think Shetland Islands Council head office understands what's happening where they work?

    Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.

    How we know this

    85% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.

    Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.

    To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.

  • Okay
  • Only some people feel well informed by head office

    Do workers feel well informed about how Shetland Islands Council is doing?

    Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.

    How we know this

    36% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.

    Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.

    You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.

Find out more about working at Shetland Islands Council

What Shetland Islands Council employees say about their job

  • Best thing

    Seeing the kids

    Worst thing

    It's alot of work for one cook

    5.5

    Employee at Shetland Islands Council, October 2024

  • Best thing

    Good pay, benefits and holidays

    Worst thing

    Stress, lack of support, unwarranted behaviours, lack of team spirit

    9.0

    Support worker at Shetland Islands Council, January 2024

See more reviews
  • Best thing

    The children’s smiles

    Worst thing

    The stress, lack of communication

    4.3

    Support worker at Shetland Islands Council, September 2023

  • Best thing

    Caring for people

    Worst thing

    People dying

    10

    Social care worker at Shetland Islands Council, July 2021

  • Best thing

    Colleagues. Job satisfaction.

    Worst thing

    Not enough hours to do admin, courses.

    7.5

    Social care worker at Shetland Islands Council, March 2021