Social Educator

Harmeny Education Trust is a sector-leading children’s charity providing therapeutic care and education for children with complex additional support needs. We work with children aged 5 to 18, both on a day and all-year-round residential basis, referred by local authorities throughout Scotland.- Harmeny is situated in a beautiful 35-acre woodland estate in Balerno, on the outskirts of Edinburgh; we are easily accessible by bus and there is ample parking.- We are currently seeking a
- **Social Educator** to join our Education Team to work with children in the formal education setting providing learning support, promoting 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.- Social Educators are required to work 35 hours per week including occasional work during evenings and weekends outwith term time. This position is on an all-year-round basis and annual leave will be taken outwith term time.- 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.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 a