New job as an LSA

[boogiewoogie]

It's part time and the hours are given as 21 hours. How do I go about negotiating hours? I don't want to seem too pushy and to make it all about fitting it round child care (even thought that is the main reason.
What I don't want is to end up with is a timetable spread over 5 days with a 9 o clock start on Monday and a 5 o'clock finish on Friday.
Any tips welcome. Thank you.

[CharlesRyder]

If it's Primary I doubt it will be like that. More likely to be 5 mornings to cover Literacy and Numeracy, or possibly to cover lunch/play if there is a child with mobility or social difficulties.

[DownByTheRiverside]

If you are supporting a child or a specific group, their needs with come ahead of yours. So you need more details about exactly what the role entails and then see if there is any wiggle room.
I don't know any LSAs that are paid past children going home time. although some do get paid if they have to attend specific courses to meet the needs of the child.

[DownByTheRiverside]

their needs will come ahead of yours
It also probably depends on what your qualifications for the role are, and how many others apply as to how flexible the school will be.

[boogiewoogie]

Thanks for the replies. It is actually for a college. They have appointed me and they know what my strengths are. Yes, I am aware that it would really depend on which groups or who I am supporting. That is what I will have to find out when before I start.

[DownByTheRiverside]

So now it's about how to frame the request without sounding as if it's all about you. How good are you at negotiating and sounding sincere?
Did you agree to be as flexible as they needed, or were they just assuming that they could set the hours and you'd comply? Can you find a positive for them in the hours you want, such as better use of your time?

[boogiewoogie]

They know that I am a mum and one of the panel even said that they would take into account that I may have outside of work commitments.