Social Educator

Harmeny Education Trust; Balerno; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site wellbeing spaces

Free gym membership

Cycle to work scheme

Wellbeing app & counselling

Induction and learning opportunities

Job summary

Harmeny Education Trust seeks a part-time Social Educator to deliver dedicated 1-to-1 support for a pupil within the educational setting. The role is fixed-term until 2 July 2027, 32 hours per week during term time, with hours Mon-Thu 8.30am-3.30pm and Fri 8.30am-12.30pm.

Salary pro rata £24,155–£26,366, PVG and SSSC registration required. The post involves planning therapeutic experiences, building relationships with families, and linking education with residential care.

Qualifications

• A relevant qualification in Social Care per SSSC requirements.
• Knowledge of Looked After & Accommodated children and ASNs.
• Ability to raise attainment and support children with ASNs.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1-to-1 learning support and promote engagement in class.
• Develop and implement care plans aligned with trauma-informed care.
• Collaborate with Class Teacher, EMT and parents to support outcomes.
• Deliver direct individual or group work as guided by the Service Manager.

Skills

Communication

Relationship building

Empathy

Behaviour management

Education

Social care qualification (SSSC)

Job description

Application Deadline: 2 October 2026

Department: Education

Location: Balerno, Edinburgh

Compensation: £24,155 - £26,366 / year

Description

Harmeny Education Trust is a charitable organisation providing therapeutic care and education to children who have experienced early years trauma through abuse, neglect and family disruption, referred from all over Scotland. We currently work with children and young people aged 5-18, both on a day and all-year-round residential basis.

We are currently seeking a Social Educator to join our Education Team on a part‑time, fixed‑term basis, with the primary focus of providing dedicated 1-to-1 support for a pupil within the formal education setting.

This post is initially until 2 July 2027; the fixed‑term element of the contract is determined by local authority funding, and will remain under review, with the possibility of extension following review.

The role centres on meeting the individual needs of the pupil, supporting their learning, and promoting meaningful engagement within the classroom and other learning environments.

The post holder will be able to plan and offer therapeutic experiences to individual children and small groups across the education and care setting, providing a strong link to the residential cottages and building relationships with parents, carers and families.

The successful applicant will be required to work 32 hours per week during term time only. This position is term‑time based, with no requirement to work during school holidays. Annual leave will be taken within agreed term‑time arrangements. The working pattern for this post is: Monday to Thursday 8.30am-3.30pm, Friday 8.30am-12.30pm term‑time only.

The successful candidate will be appointed on the Harmeny salary scale, at a point between 11 and 15 (£29,866 to £32,600) depending on qualifications and experience. The pro rata salary for this role will be £24,155 to £26,366.

The successful candidate will be required to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

A driving licence allowing the use of our vehicles is essential.

Harmeny is a values-led organisation and a good fit with our ethos is as important to us as having relevant experience.

Harmeny is situated in a beautiful 35-acre woodland estate, which includes residential and education accommodation, community garden, orchard, wildlife habitats and children’s play areas. Harmeny is located in Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh, at the foot of the Pentland Hills; we are easily accessible by bus and there is on‑site parking available.

Benefits

• On‑site wellbeing spaces and free massage therapy
• Free gym membership & psychotherapeutic support
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to a wellbeing app and counselling
• Access to discounts on shopping and events.
• Access to a comprehensive induction package, and to a range of learning and development opportunities throughout their career with us.

More information on the benefits of working at Harmeny, plus a fuller job description and person specification can be found at www.harmeny.org.uk/jobs.

Key Responsibilities

Key areas of the job

• Working closely with the Class Teacher and Education Teams, the post holder will contribute to the provision of the highest quality learning experiences and outcomes for children placed at Harmeny, which is based on a relational and experiential model of learning.
• The post holder will contribute to a culture and ethos within a highly nurturing and supporting environment, in order to provide the secure base that children require to engage in their learning.
• Alongside providing learning support and promoting engagement with learning within the classroom, they will also play a key role in supporting those aspects of the 24‑hour curriculum which assist children in developing their social skills, as vital components for lifelong learning.
• With the supervision and guidance of the Service Manager (Education Support), the post holder will be responsible alongside the Class Teacher Team to identify specific needs of the children within the class and take the lead on regular direct work that helps support the children’s social and emotional development, based on an understanding of the key principles of Attachment, Resilience, Child Development and Trauma Informed Care.

Principle responsibilities

• Promote a positive ethos in the school consistent with Harmeny’s vision, purpose and core values.
• Support the Education Management Team (EMT) with the implementation of the School Improvement Plan, Harmeny Strategic Plan and Harmeny policies and procedures.
• Be an integral part of the Education team and develop solid working partnerships with the wider Harmeny community.
• Provide support to children during transitions throughout the school day and support individuals outwith the classroom when agreed by EMT.
• Communicate with education and care colleagues, parents/carers and a range of other professionals to ensure coherent working and positive outcomes for children.
• Communicate and interact positively with children using solution‑focussed & strengths‑based principles in line with Harmeny policies, procedures and core values.
• Develop and implement care plans as part of the child’s key team, which address the needs of the child.
• Involved in the development and implementation of risk assessment planning for children.
• Implement physical intervention techniques (where required).
• Provide learning support within the classroom and other environments, following the guidance of Classroom Teachers and EMT.
• Promote children’s engagement with learning, through building positive relationships and encouraging children to remain ‘on task’.
• Support the delivery of the curriculum, specifically designed to meet the individual educational, care and therapeutic needs of children, in line with national policies such as CfE and GIRFEC.
• Deliver direct individual or group work as guided by the Service Manager (Education Support) or EMT.
• Prepare classroom teaching resources, maintain audio‑visual and ICT equipment and assist with the layout and tidiness of the classroom.
• Ensure whole‑school educational equipment, resources and spaces are maintained to an excellent standard, with responsibility for overseeing a specific resource area.
• Provide administrative support, including the maintenance of accurate records, filing and photocopying.
• Support the development of children’s Personal Learning Planning and help children work towards individual goals and targets.
• Gather evidence for individual plans and through preparation of displays.
• As a valued member of a child’s key team, participate in regular reviews and submit written reports on individual children as requested.
• Attend regular staff meetings as required. To ensure that all children’s personal records are kept up to date within the database.
• Be flexible within the timetable and working patterns at the discretion of the Service Manager (Education Support) or EMT.
• Attend supervision, APR, training and other meetings as required.
• Participate in residential trips and holidays when required.
• Safely drive children and staff to and from outings, activities and external meetings via minibus or fleet vehicle.
• To undertake any other duties as delegated by ELT or SLT which are consistent with the role of Social Educator.
• To ensure that the highest possible standards of professional practice are maintained

Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• A relevant qualification in Social Care in line with the Scottish Social Services Council (the SSSC) registration requirements for Residential Child Care Workers (e.g. HNC, SVQ, etc.)
• Knowledge and understanding of children who are Looked After and Accommodated and children with complex Additional Support Needs.
• Ability to contribute to raising the standards of attainment and achievement for children with complex Additional Support Needs.
• Knowledge of child development, childcare legislation, the Scottish curriculum and relevant policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the residential childcare sector.