Education Support Workers in Balerno

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 seeking a dedicated Education Support Worker to join the Harmeny team on a part-time, ongoing employment basis to provide learning support to pupils aged 5 to 18.

Working closely with the Class Teacher and Education Teams, the Education Support Worker will promote engagement with learning within the classroom and other learning environments. They will contribute to a culture and ethos within a highly nurturing and supporting environment, in order to provide the secure base the pupil requires to engage in their learning. Applicants should have a willingness and ability to work with pupils who have additional support needs. We are particularly keen to employ a member of staff who has previous experience of working in a school or care setting. They must be flexible and adaptable to the needs of the pupils and their environment. It is also necessary for the post holder to have a good sense of humour, to be calm under pressure and to be able to put the child or young person at the centre of everything they do.

The successful candidate will be required to work 30.5 hours per week (0.87 FTE), Monday to Friday, during term time only. The role offers a competitive salary of £21,158 to £21,675 per annum (inclusive of a 5% allowance for extra duties in a residential school environment and a payment that represents seven-week annual holiday entitlement). An additional 5% allowance (£1007.50 to £1032.13 per annum) may also be paid depending on qualifications. The pro-rata salary is calculated on the basis of a full-time equivalent salary of £26,139 to £26,778 per annum. Successful applicants will be required to join Disclosure Scotland’s Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.

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. We offer benefits and opportunities that promote wellbeing, work-life balance and staff development. Benefits include:

• On-site wellbeing spaces and free massage therapy
• Free gym membership
• 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 on our website. If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please contact Mandy Shiel, Head of Education, by telephoning the Trust. To apply, please complete the application form, including CV, via our recruitment section. Closing date: 9 March 2026.

Key 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 and Harmeny Strategic Plan.
• Provide learning support within the classroom and other environments, following the guidance of Class Teachers and EMT.
• Support teaching staff with the delivery of the curriculum.
• Provide support to children during transitions within the school, outdoor education/environmental activities and on educational outings.
• Promote children’s engagement with learning, through building positive relationships and encouraging children to remain ‘on-task’.
• Provide support on a one-to-one or group basis as required.
• Encourage positive and appropriate behaviours, through the use of effective strategies that recognise the complex behaviours of children at Harmeny.
• Where required, as a last resort, implement physical intervention techniques.
• 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.
• Work in accordance with all Harmeny policies and procedures.
• Communicate with education and care colleagues, parents/carers and a range of other professionals to ensure coherent working and positive outcomes for children.
• Contribute to our multi-disciplinary approach to working with children and their families, including contributing to children’s meetings, where appropriate.
• Ensure that the highest possible standards of professional practice are maintained.
• Attend supervision, annual performance review (APR), training and other meetings, as required.
• Provide absence cover for colleagues.
• Safely drive children and staff to and from outings, activities and external meetings via minibus or fleet vehicle.
• Undertake any other duties delegated by EMT or other Senior Leadership Team member, which are consistent with the role.

Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with children and young people within a learning environment.
• Knowledge of the needs of children with social, emotional and behavioural needs.
• Understanding of the practice issues of physical intervention and ability to undertake such physical intervention when required.
• A good understanding of the learning needs of children, both within the classroom and other environments.
• Good organisational and administrative skills and computer literacy.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Desirable

• A relevant qualification equivalent to SCQF Level 7.
• Knowledge of the Curriculum for Excellence.
• Knowledge of social pedagogical approach.
• Experience of organising and delivering children’s activities/group work and/or supporting children’s learning.
• A full driving licence and the ability to drive fleet vehicles and transport children as required.