Duty Manager (School Support)

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 seeking a Duty Manager (School Support) to provide leadership, operational management, and behaviour support for six classes across Harmeny’s school community.

The Duty Manager will work alongside colleagues in both Education and Care to support learners who display challenging behaviour or experience emotional distress. The postholder will help ensure that learners are able to be Safe, Ready and Respectful, while promoting school attendance as a priority. The postholder will provide assistance and support to Education Management Team (EMT) and be an additional source of guidance and direction for the Education team. The postholder will ensure the smooth operational running of the school day, demonstrating consistently high standards of care for the children, and leadership of the education team. The successful candidate will work 35 hours per week, working during term-time only.

The pro rata salary for this post is £34,135 per annum, calculated on the basis of a full-time equivalent salary of £42,998 per annum. This salary is aligned with Point 26 of the Harmeny pay scale.

A driving licence allowing the use of our vehicles is essential.  

Successful applicant will be required to join Disclosure Scotland’s Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme.  

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  
• 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.   

All staff receive a comprehensive induction package, and access 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 would like to find out more about this opportunity, please contact, Mandy Shiel, Head of Education, on [phone removed].   To apply, please complete the application form via our recruitment section at www.harmeny.org.uk/jobs.    Closing date: Monday 9 November, 2026  Interview date: Friday 13 November, 2026   

Key Responsibilities

1. Promote a positive ethos in the school consistent with Harmeny’s vision, purpose and core values. 
2. Support the School Day Co-ordinator with the implementation of management decisions, consistent with Harmeny and school plans, policies and procedures.
3. Be an integral part of the Education staff team.
4. Adhere to the requirements of the GTCS/SSSC Codes of Practice. 
5. Help to develop and implement care plans that address the needs of the child during the school day. 
6. Be involved in the development and implementation of risk assessment planning for children. 
7. Be responsible for the care and welfare of children and staff, reporting any safeguarding or health and safety issues immediately, in line with relevant policies and procedures.  This includes adhering to risk assessments for children and staff and relevant protocols within the role.  This will also require the postholder to undertake the role of Fire Warden and First Aider. 
8. Assist with staff recruitment and deployment of education staff, ensuring that effective cover arrangements are in place when necessary. 
9. Be involved in the development and implementation of the school improvement plan. 
10. Be able to understand children’s behaviour and support them to manage their behaviour themselves.
11. Where required, as a last resort, be capable of implementing physical intervention techniques. 
12. Support children’s learning during the school day and promote attendance in school.
13. Support children to regulate their emotions through the use of Calm Theory techniques and pulling from the our methods listed in the Harmeny Way.
14. Attend regular staff and children’s meetings as required. 
15. Ensure that all children’s case notes are up to date, reflective of the school day and therapeutically written by staff. 
16. Be able to be flexible within the timetable and working patterns at the discretion of the Head of Education. 
17. Work in accordance with all Harmeny policies and procedures. 
18. Attend supervision, training and other meetings, as required. 
19. Ensure effective systems of line management and leadership, professional support, supervision, and development of staff. 
20. Contribute to the delivery of learning and development, as appropriate. 
21. Participate in in-service training and recognised education training. 
22. Participate in residential trips and holidays when required. 
23. Carry out any other duties consistent with the nature of the post at the discretion of the Harmeny’s management team. 

Additional Responsibilities

1. Take responsibility as delegated by the Head Of Education for managing resources of staff and finance to meet the needs of the children and the effective running of the school day.   
2. Ensure a high level of security around the site, the primary school and Learning Hub, effectively actioning and reporting concerns. 
3. Ensure that the highest levels of professional practice are maintained within the overall operation of the education learning environments. 
4. Assist in the provision of professional support and direction for education staff. 
5. Ensure that all recording and reporting systems are maintained and updated and to bring to the attention of the Head of Education or member of management in their absence, any issues of concern at the earliest opportunity. 
6. To carry out the duties of the School Day Co-ordinator in their absence. 

Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

1. A qualification in line with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) or Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) requirements for residential child care workers, and an ability to work towards the SSSC requirements for residential child care workers with supervisory responsibilities. For more information, please visit www.sssc.uk.com.
2. An ability to drive fleet vehicles.

Desirable:

1. Previous experience of managing people in an education or care setting.
2. Experience in working within an education setting, including working with children with complex. social, emotional and behavioural needs and who have experienced early years trauma. 
3. Knowledge and understanding of children who have lived experienced. 
4. Knowledge and understanding of child development, childca