Health and Wellbeing Practitioner

Package Description

The school prides itself on its warm and welcoming community, inclusive of all staff.  Our teaching staff work alongside the operational teams to ensure the smooth running of the school.  We value the contribution of all team members. 

Through involvement in the co-curricular programme all those who work with us can bring their passions to work. Developing our talent is important to us.  Access to training and professional development is available and encouraged.

Our reward package includes:

• Enrolment into generous DC pension (11% employer contribution)
• Access to onsite gym
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Benefits Programme including discounts to a number of major retailers, holiday, electric car and cycle to work schemes, as well as health and well-being option
• Fee discount
• A three course lunch is provided during term time 

The Role

The Health & Wellbeing Practitioner will provide support for the physical, social, emotional, and mental health needs of pupils at The Edinburgh Academy.

The primary focus is to receive and keep safe any pupils who have needed to step away from classes. The Health & Wellbeing Practitioner will liaise with school staff as required, particularly the Deputy Rector (Pastoral), Pastoral Teams, Class Teachers, the Junior School Nurse, the Health and Safety Manager, the School Office, the School Doctor and members of the Senior Leadership team.  

This is a term-time plus 2 weeks role (approximately 38 weeks per year). The plus two weeks covers inset days and preparation for each new school year.

Main Responsibilities

Pupil Health and Wellbeing 

• Ensure that the Medical Room is staffed during school hours 
• Provide appropriate First Aid provision 
• Assess the need for further and/or emergency medical attention and action as appropriate, seeking support from pastoral lead and/or school nurse where required 
• Support and monitor the needs of pupils with acute or chronic conditions (e.g. asthma,  allergies, diabetes, and epilepsy) including administration of medication where appropriate and in accordance with Health and Wellbeing guidelines.  
• Respond appropriately, by following school policies and procedures to pupils with allergies and intolerances,  
• Follow up on weekend / evening for sport injuries  (e.g. concussion)
• Liaise with external teams, e.g. NHS School Health and Public Health Scotland, to co-ordinate all Immunisation programmes (school vaccinations are carried out by NHS staff).  
• Provide a First Aid service for school events, as required.  
• Be a caring listener for any pupils who arrive and wish to talk.  
• Quickly raise any significant concerns such that the school can respond and support where needed.  
• Liaise closely with the Pastoral Team on general trends being identified but also regarding specific pupils where appropriate.  
• Ensure all concerns raised by pupils are shared with the appropriate members of staff without exception.  
• Where appropriate, complete an Accident Report Form and submit it to the Health & Safety Manager. Inform the relevant Deputy Rector  
• Treat all information relating to a pupil with the appropriate level of confidentiality 
• Be aware of and comply with school policy and practice, receiving training where necessary from the school to be a proactive member of the school’s Pastoral Team.  
• Work closely with the H&S Manager and Sodexo on allergens, and support the H&S Manager with the outcomes of reported accidents and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans. 
• Provide trip leaders with health information for pupils on school trips (UK and abroad.) 
• Ensure plans are in place for school trips for any pupils with medical requirements 
• Ensure that the Medical Room is maintained to a high standard and that strict hygiene and safety rules are observed.  
• Assist in the delivery of Sex Education talks as part of PSHE programme 
• Reporting Wellbeing concerns to the Deputy Rector Pastoral  
• Working with Admissions department to screen and upload medical forms for new pupils 

IT and databases 

• To have a good working knowledge of relevant school databases, such as the iSAMS Management Information System, for the entry and management of health and wellbeing information.  
• To be competent in the use of IT, including Microsoft Office.  
• Administration and General Duties:  
• Order medical supplies, as required, to ensure that the school is adequately equipped for the provision of First Aid, including trips and visits.  
• Order and maintain a general stock of toiletries and sanitary supplies.  
• Issue and/or maintain First Aid kits for use on school trips and Games.  
• Ensure the safe storage and disposal of medical supplies and drugs  
• Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Rector or COO (or designated managers) as commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.  

This list is not exhaustive and performance of the role may include other duties or tasks as reasonably required by your line manager. 

The Ideal Candidate

Essential  

• First Aid Qualification.  
• A sound understanding of the mental health challenges facing young people. 
• Proven experience of working in an education, pastoral or healthcare setting with young  
• people.  
• Skilled in the use of the Microsoft 365 suite of tools   
• Basic knowledge of IT systems and hardware  
• Be an efficient, organised individual able to prioritise first aid care whilst ensuring all medical administration is updated 
• Child Protection Training / knowledge of safeguarding 

Desirable  

• Experience supporting young people's mental health.  
• Evidence of higher education in healthcare or education 
• Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team 
• Nursing experience.  
• Mental Health First Aid qualification. 

The School requires all staff to join the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (‘PVG’) Scheme. Offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory registration with the PVG Scheme. 

Please note we are unable to provide sponsorship for a work visa so candidates should ensure they already have, or are able to obtain, the right to work in the UK before applying.

About the school/organisation

The Edinburgh Academy is a fully co-educational school. The School consists of a Senior School, Junior School and a Nursery Department. The School is a member of HMC. The Edinburgh Academy moved to full co-education across the whole school in 2008. The Junior and Senior Schools are on separate sites, both of which have spacious grounds and sports facilities including extensive playing fields, an all-weather sports area, and a large Sports Hall and Centre.