Social and Emotional Learning Lead

ABOUT US School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is a charity that exists to empower and support individuals who are living in complex and challenging circumstances. By fostering an environment of genuine acceptance and through the use of physical activity and group and group and one-to-one support sessions, SOHK enables people to find meaning and purpose to life. All of SOHK’s activities are underpinned by an evidence-based sport for development framework called the 5Cs. OVERVIEW SOHK for Schools is a full academic year intervention, working with groups of young people. The pupils will be chosen by the school and will typically be the ‘hardest to reach’ young people. We will work with them for half a day every week, delivering rugby training, classroom sessions on subjects such as growth mindset, goal setting and choices, and we’ll deliver weekly 1:1s for each pupil. The programme will be evaluated by SOHK staff, teachers, parents and the pupils themselves. The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Lead is responsible for the assessment of participant SEL skills, the development of a programme of 1-2-1 sessions, input into the classroom plan to ensure delivery according to need, to lead the management of behaviours within the team, and support the gathering of Monitoring & Evaluation data. As part of the school delivery team, the SEL Lead is expected to support the delivery of SOHK classroom and rugby sessions, as required. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Assess participant SEL skills, to include individual Self Awareness, Self-Management, Social awareness, Relationship Skills, and Personal Decision Making. Develop a 1-2-1 delivery plan for cohorts, according to need. With other team members, deliver 1-2-1 sessions in accordance with the plan. Continuous review of the SOHK classroom plan, to consider if it best meets the SEL needs of participants, and where appropriate suggest amendment. Guide staff in the management and handling of participant SEL needs in their interactions with participants. Assist with Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) efforts by collecting SEL Scales, Programme overviews/registers, student feedback, staff and student testimonials and creating case studies that document student progress and outcomes. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Support the delivery of SOHK classroom sessions, as requested by the Team Lead. Support participants during rugby sessions, as requested by the Rugby Coach. Weekly communications with the Team Lead and Regional Manager to update on student progress, classroom dynamics, and any additional support requirements. Support the Regional Manager in termly meetings with school staff to discuss the development and emotional growth of students withing the programme. Connect with school Safeguarding Lead and SOHK Team Lead on any safeguarding disclosure or causes for concern. SKILLS & EXPERIENCE Essential Knowledge & understanding of the developmental stages of children and young people and appropriate intervention approaches. Experience in leading SEL-focused classroom sessions. Experience providing individual 1-2-1 support to students. Ability to build rapport with young people with a variety of needs. Proven skills and experience in engaging with challenging children and young people. Ability to deal with exposure to distressing information. Be able to communicate a positive, caring attitude, and actively listen to the child or young person and others involved in their care. Maintaining & enhancing effective working relationships with SOHK and school staff. Willingness to undertake research or audit in relevant fields in discussion with the SOHK Leadership Team. Comprehensive understanding of Safeguarding best practice, including how and when to disclose information and to refer participants to healthcare professionals. Desirable Undergraduate degree or equivalent in a relevant professional discipline (e.g. teaching, social work, psychology, occupational therapy) Understanding of Scottish education system. Knowledge of rugby and the benefits it has for young people. Experience in delivering training in any of the areas outlined above. Experience of delivering in a classroom setting to a large group of young people. ·Ability to tailor interventions to meet the needs of the students on the course and support coaches to maintain these interventions. TERMS OF APPOINTMENT This will be a term-time contract, working only on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in periods that correspond with school term time. The salary will be £31,000 pro rata, paid in 12 equal monthly instalments You are required to attend our annual 3 day staff conference in August. Start date for this role will be Monday 6th January 2025. HOW TO APPLY Please send a CV and covering letter of no more than two A4 pages to megan@schoolofhardknocks.org.uk with the subject line ‘Scotland SEL Lead Application’. The closing date for applications is 10pm on Wednesday 11th December. Interviews will take place in Edinburgh w/c 16th December. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required for successful candidates and the job is dependent on suitable references.