Project Assessor (SVQ Qualifications)

VSA is a 155-year-old independent social care charity based in the North East of Scotland. We provide a wide range of essential services that support older people, children and families, individuals with mental health and neurodiversity needs, as well as over 2,000 unpaid carers. Our mission is to provide the best of care and support, to enable the community to fulfil its potential.

We currently have an exciting opportunity to join VSA’s Learning and Development Team as a Project Assessor. As we grow our service to meet internal and external demands, we are looking for an enthusiastic and self-driven individual to join this dynamic team.

VSA’s Learning and Development Team provides training and qualifications to external individuals and organisations as well as services throughout VSA. A range of qualifications are available through the team, from SCQF level 4 through to level 10 in subjects related to Health and Social Care. We strive to meet very high standards through our training and development of the social care workforce. These high standards are recognised through consistently positive feedback and reports from our regulators.

In this role you will support the delivery of our qualifications particularly SVQs in Social Services (Children and Young People). This will be an excellent opportunity for the right individual who has pro experience in a service supporting children and young people.

Salary: £31,363.25 p.a. (If meets Qualification requirements at SCQF Level 9 in relevant subject or equivalent)

Hours: 35 hours per week (Monday-Friday) - You may be required on occasion to work out with core office hours if required.

Location: Aberdeen - post holder will be based at Castle Street but will be required to visit other VSA sites across Aberdeen.

Purpose of Job:

To assess candidates undertaking accredited qualifications through VSA SVQ Centre.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

• Monitoring progress of candidates and reporting on progress to relevant stakeholders on a monthly basis, and supporting quarterly progress reviews for apprentices,
• Communicating any issues which may need addressed with SVQ candidates in an agreed timeframe
• Delivering candidate induction and other training/tutorials according to agreed programme in conjunction with other team members
• Completing initial assessments with candidates to identify prior learning and experience, any additional support needs or development needs and using this information to design a support plan for individual candidates
• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with candidates and addressing any additional support or development needs,
• Maintaining contact with candidates as per timetable or contract and plan work with candidates to support them to achieve their qualification,
• Developing working relationships with unit managers and supervising staff within VSA and external clients.
• Establishing, maintaining, and developing an effective working environment in respect of working relationships, identifying and minimising interpersonal conflict.
• Contributing to internal communication systems e.g. assessor standardisation, team meetings and candidate meetings.
• Working with other teams including Marketing and Communications, as and when required.
• Taking responsibility for own professional development which matches or exceeds the SSSC requirements for an equivalent role and maintain a record of this training.
• Attend standardisation meetings and other meetings to maintain consistent assessment decisions
• Participate in the organisation of, and attend meetings for, external qualification verification and other external audits, as discussed with the centre management team,
• Managing own time and resources effectively to meet the needs of the department.
• Ensuring Health and Safety requirements are adhered to, including personal safety, lone working and safe moving and handling processes, and use internal and external processes to report any safeguarding or health and safety concerns.
• Work with the wider Learning and Development Team, Service Managers and managers within external organisations to share knowledge of current best practice, legislative and regulatory requirements. This will include attending meetings and using systems to share information.
• Use systems to communicate, record, and report; ensuring that records are updated accurately and reports are produced when required to provide reliable data to support decision-making for management purposes and to meet regulatory requirements.
• Any other reasonable duties which may occur from time to time provided they are within the post holder’s capabilities.

Qualifications/Training/Education:
Essential:
• Minimum SVQ at SCQF Level 7 in Children and Young People/ Social Services and an HNC (or equivalent).
• Willingness to achieve Assessor qualification within 18 months.
• Completed all mandatory training

Desirable:
• SVQ at SCQF level 9 in a relevant subject
• L&D 9DI, A1 award or D32/D33.
• Holds or willing to work towards L&D11
• Full driver’s licence and own car
• Maths/numeracy at standard grade or higher or equivalent

Experience:
Essential:
• Proven experience as a qualified childcare worker
• Experience in providing constructive feedback to others

Desirable:
• Experience of working as a Trainer/Assessor.
• Evidence of competent development and delivery of training materials to meet the needs of learners and in line with organisational objectives

Key Skills/Aptitudes:
Essential:
• Flexibility to work outside of core working hours if required.
• Ability to work using own initiative.
• Knowledge of SSSC Codes of Practice and Care Standards.
• Willingness to travel to observe/meet with candidates
• Good Interpersonal Communication Skills (Verbal and Written)
• Able to influence others to work to desired outcomes
• Ability to promote dignity, kindness, compassion and anti-discriminatory practice
• Positive time management skills
• Personal commitment to maintaining CPD
• Competent ability to use IT and training resources

Desirable:
• Excellent IT skills (Excel, Word, Powerpoint)

Personal Qualities:
Essential:
• Evidence of ability to be assertive.
• Self-driven
• Keen to develop self through self-directed study
• Being able to work as a team
• Having an open and supportive approach to others
• Strong value base
• Flexible and cooperative

Desirable:
• Enthusiasm for research and evidence-based practice

Other Job Requirements:
Desirable:
• Drivers licence with access to own transport.