Lifeskills & Engagement Practitioner in Montrose

The closing date for completed applications for this post is 9am on Wednesday 11 February 2026, and it is anticipated interviews will take place on Thursday 26 February 2026.

Hours: 35 hours per week (Monday-Friday 8:30am–4:30pm)

Salary: £29,313 - £31,427 (SCP 21 - 24)

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Deliver sessions designed, in conjunction with a qualified teacher, to educate young people about food and nutrition.
• Help young people understand the connections between what they eat and their health.
• Deliver sessions to young people, aged 8 to 18 years, in both a secure and residential school setting, to be better prepared for independent living.
• Ensure young people have the required practical skills and knowledge to choose and prepare food which will be healthy and within budget.
• Help young people make informed decisions to maintain and improve their physical and mental health.
• Ensure young people’s voice and participation in service design and delivery takes place and is promoted.
• Promote the safety and wellbeing of young people through working collaboratively with colleagues and other services within Rossie.

Supporting Learning and Teaching in Life Skills / Home Economics:

• Work with qualified teachers to plan and deliver learning experiences in areas including:

• Managing money and financial capability
• Family, peer and community relationships
• Practical skills for independent living
• Food technology, nutrition and practical cookery
• Health, wellbeing and food policies

Raising Attainment, Achievement and Positive Destinations:

• Support young people to achieve personal learning targets in life skills, health and wellbeing and vocational pathways.
• Promote skills for learning, life and work including:

• Literacy, numeracy and financial literacy
• Health literacy and food safety
• Employability and enterprise skills

• Further education and training
• Hospitality, catering, food production and textiles
• Health and social care related pathways

Promoting Positive Relationships and Inclusion:

• Build positive, respectful and nurturing relationships with young people within a professional learning environment.
• Support social development, teamwork and communication through practical group work and collaborative learning.
• Promote positive behaviour, emotional regulation and restorative approaches.
• Work closely with pastoral, care, wellbeing and specialist services to support social and emotional needs.
• Encourage positive participation in school life, community projects and enterprise activities.
• Support transitions within the school day and into post-school pathways.

Resources, Practical Facilities and Administration:

• Prepare, maintain and organise specialist spaces such as kitchens and food prep areas.
• Ensure safe use, storage and maintenance of equipment and materials.
• Prepare resources and practical ingredients.
• Support with ordering, stock control and budgeting for practical subjects.
• Complete administrative tasks related to assessment, tracking and accreditation.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing:

• Ensure full compliance with health and safety, food hygiene and risk assessment procedures.
• Promote physical, mental and emotional wellbeing through curriculum delivery.
• Support young people to develop healthy lifestyle choices and self-care skills.
• Apply GIRFEC principles and child protection procedures.
• Manage challenging behaviour in line with school policies using de-escalation and trauma-informed approaches.
• Supervise practical activities.

Professional Practice and Core Competences:

• With support of training and leadership, the Life Skills Practitioner will develop:

• Strong professional relationships with learners, families, teachers and multi-agency partners.
• An awareness of Curriculum for Excellence, Health and Wellbeing, and National Qualification frameworks.
• Knowledge of child development, additional support needs and inclusive practice.
• High standards of communication, organisation and record keeping.
• Be willing to develop competence in ICT and digital learning platforms.
• Skills in practical instruction, demonstration and coaching.
• Team-working skills within education, care and therapeutic services.
• Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality and professional standards.
• Engagement in continuous professional learning, mandatory training and whole-school improvement planning.
• Contribution to timetabling, interdisciplinary learning and whole-school wellbeing initiatives.

Please note this job description is to provide a clear and concise statement of the main tasks and activities of the post, and it is not intended as an exhaustive list of every aspect of the post holder's duties. All the above duties will be carried out in line with Rossie policies and procedures.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Knowledge Base (Essential):

• Awareness of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence.
• Relationship based practice.
• Understanding of issues faced by care experienced young people.
• Understanding of professional boundaries.

Knowledge Base (Desirable):

• Awareness of effective learning and teaching across the curriculum.
• Experience of working with young people in a residential or additional support setting.
• Pupil engagement and participation.
• Allergen awareness.
• First aid qualified/ experience.
• Trauma and impact on young people.
• Children’s rights.
• Child protection processes.

Qualifications (Essential):

• Level 2 Food hygiene certification, or willingness to achieve this.

Qualifications (Desirable):

• Level 3 food hygiene certificate.
• HNC social care/ SVQ 3.

Experience (Essential):

• Previous experience in school or industry relevant to the teaching of Life skills.
• Interaction with young people on a professional, voluntary or personal basis.

Experience (Desirable):

• Experience/ Awareness of National Examinations.
• Evidence of a wider interest in developing the achievement of pupils.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of the need for quality learning and teaching and assessment principles.
• Knowledge/experience of care sector.

Skills (Essential):

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills with both colleagues and young people.
• Cookery/ baking skills at a level commensurate with role.
• ICT knowledge/ ability and awareness.

Skills (Desirable):

• Interest in developing the use of ICT in learning and teaching.

Qualities (Essential):

• Commitment to Aims, Vision and Values of Rossie Young Person’s Trust.
• Professional appearance, presentation and manner.
• Proactive and motivated.
• Committed to advocating on behalf of young people.
• Resilient.

Full Clean Driving Licence - Essential.