Social Educator in Edinburgh

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 Social Educators to join our Education Team on a permanent, full-time basis. The role is based within a classroom setting, supporting a class group by providing learning support and promoting engagement both in the classroom and across other learning environments. The successful candidate will be able to plan and deliver therapeutic experiences for individuals and small groups across the education and care setting. The role will involve providing a strong link to the children’s cottages and building positive relationships with parents, carers, and families. Experience in supporting children with Additional Support Needs would be beneficial.

We are highly committed to the professional development of all our staff, and the successful candidate will access comprehensive training and development opportunities. Social Educators are required to work 35 hours per week. This position is on a 52-week contract, and the 7 weeks holiday are mostly to be taken within the school holidays. The working pattern for this position is Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm. 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 successful applicant 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.

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 & 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. If you are interested in joining our dynamic team, please contact Rebecca Buchan, Education Manager, on 0131 449 3938. To apply, please complete the application form via our recruitment section at www.harmeny.org.uk/jobs. Closing date: 12 June 2026. Interview dates: 18 June 2026.

Key Responsibilities

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.

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.
• A working knowledge of the Curriculum for Excellence.
• Understanding of children’s behaviour and need to encourage positive and appropriate behaviours, through the use of effective strategies which recognise the complex behaviours of children at Harmeny.
• Experience in residential work and / or childcare and / or within an education setting.
• Understanding of the ‘duty of care’ to children and colleagues.
• Understanding of the practice issues of ‘physical intervention’ and ability to undertake such physical intervention when required.
• Experience, skill and commitment to working within a multi-disciplinary setting.
• A commitment to Children’s Rights and participation of children and their families.
• Good communication skills, both written and oral.
• Good organisational and administrative skills and computer literate.
• A full driving licence and the ability to drive fleet vehicles and transport children as required.

Desirable

• Evidence of further training in therapeutic work with children and young people.
• Knowledge of social pedagogical approach.
• Knowledge and experience of organising and delivering children’s activities/group work and/or supporting children’s learning.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 35 days’ holiday per year, inclusive of public holidays
• Pension scheme
• Life assurance scheme (three times salary)
• Enhanced pay for maternity, adoption and paternity leave
• Policies and practices that promote health and wellbeing, including massage therapy and access to a wellbeing space
• We are highly committed to the professional development of all our staff and the post-holders will have access to comprehensive training and development opportunities.