Education Support Worker

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 would like to find out more about this opportunity, please contact, Mandy Shiel, Head of Education, on 0131 449 3938.

To apply, please complete the application form via our recruitment section at www.harmeny.org.uk/jobs.

Closing date: 25 September 2026

Interview date: 2 October 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 working with children in a support, education, or care role (1:1 experience desirable).
• Knowledge of the needs of children with social, emotional and behavioural needs.
• An understanding of or strong interest in, project-based and experiential learning approaches.
• Ability to build positive, respectful relationships with children.
• Patience, empathy, and a flexible, child-centred approach.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• 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.
• Experience supporting children with additional needs (e.g. SEND, neurodiversity).
• Knowledge of alternative education or creative learning approaches.
• Relevant qualifications (e.g. Teaching Assistant, Youth Work, Childcare, Education, or similar).
• Confidence supporting practical, outdoor, or creative projects.
• 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.

Personal Characteristic / Competencies:

• A positive and supportive attitude to children and staff.
• A commitment to the needs of children who are Looked After and Accommodated and have complex additional support needs.
• Ability to appropriately communicate with children, colleagues, families and external professionals.
• Ability to work within a team and demonstrate appropriate autonomy to meet the demands of both the practical direct support and recording/reporting requirements in a highly pressurised working environment.
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence, understanding of the needs of others, and personal resilience.
• Displays initiative and ability to work autonomously, with a flexible and solutions-focused mindset.

Benefits

• A salary of £21,898.35 to £23,901.87 per annum (full-time equivalent salary is £28,407 to £31,006 per annum)
• Pension scheme
• Life assurance scheme
• Policies and practices that promote health and wellbeing, including massage therapy, access wellbeing spaces
• We are highly committed to the professional development of all our staff and the post-holder will have access to comprehensive training and development.