The closing date for completed applications for this post is 9am on Wednesday 17 June 2026, and it is anticipated interviews will take place on Tuesday 30 June 2026.
Hours: 37 hours per week.
Salary: £29,920 - £31,230 (SCP 20 - 22)
The Forest School Practitioner will deliver exciting and engaging Outdoor Learning opportunities as part of our wider educational offer at Rossie. They will support the development and delivery of Forest School provision within Rossie, creating engaging outdoor learning experiences that contribute to the education, wellbeing and achievement of young people.
The post holder will work collaboratively with the Education Leadership and Management Team and wider educational teams to support the planning, delivery and ongoing development of a Forest and Outdoor Learning Award.
The role is suited to an individual who is passionate about outdoor learning and supporting young people, and who is motivated to develop their knowledge, skills and qualifications in Forest School and accredited learning delivery
Deliver high-quality outdoor learning experiences.
Contribute to the development and delivery of the Forest and Outdoor Learning Award (FOLA) programme.
Support positive outcomes, attainment and achievement for young people.
Build and maintain positive relationships with young people and staff.
Assist with the organisation, administration and development of Forest School.
Support the health, safety and wellbeing of young people within Forest School activities.
Deliver learning and teaching.
Plan and deliver Forest School and outdoor learning sessions.
Support young people to engage positively in learning experiences and activities.
Deliver sessions aligned to FOLA and Curriculum for Excellence.
Support young people to achieve awards, accreditation and positive learning outcomes.
Work collaboratively with colleagues, parents/carers and external partners.
Promote positive relationships and inclusive practice.
Develop positive, respectful and supportive relationships with young people.
Promote nurturing and trauma-informed approaches in all interactions.
Support inclusive practice that recognises diverse and complex learner needs.
Encourage participation, confidence and learner voice.
Work cooperatively and as part of the wider staff team
Resource management and programme administration.
Organise and maintain Forest School resources and environments.
Prepare materials and equipment for sessions and activities.
Complete and attend to attendance records, risk assessments and learner records
Contribute to the gathering of evidence for accredited learning and programme evaluation.
Support the ongoing development of Forest School provision.
Health, safety and wellbeing.
Follow risk assessment procedures and safe working practices for all activities
Deliver safe, risk assessed outdoor learning experiences
Follow organisational safeguarding and child protection procedures.
Promote confidence, resilience and independence in young people.
Provide first aid support where appropriate
Promote positive behaviour, engagement and respectful interactions
Please note this job description is to provide a clear and concise statement of the main tasks and activities of the post, and it is not intended as an exhaustive list of every aspect of the post-holder's duties. All the above duties will be carried out in line with Rossie policies and procedures.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Qualifications (Essential):
SCQF level 5 awards in literacy and numeracy
Commitment to continuing professional development
Qualifications (Desirable):
Relevant HNC level qualification
FOLA or equivalent outdoor learning accreditation or qualification
Skills (Essential):
Ability to work on own initiative and as part of team
Excellent organisational skills, ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines
Excellent interpersonal skills, and oral and written communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
Ability to deal with confidential/sensitive matters
Skills (Desirable):
Experience of leading project work with young people
Experience (Essential):
Working with young people in a relevant field.
Working in partnership with other agencies
Facilitating learning
Experience (Desirable):
Planning programmes of work
Reporting on progress
Working in an outdoor learning environment
Knowledge Base (Essential):
Confident in the use of Microsoft Office applications, internet searches, using social media and online planning, learning and communication tools
Understanding of relevant national policy, including GIRFEC
Knowledge Base (Desirable):
Challenges and opportunities arising from working in a residential and secure care setting
An understanding of trauma, and the impact of this in a learning context
Qualities (Essential):
Flexible and adaptive approach
Empathetic approach to working with vulnerable young people
Qualities (Desirable):
The ability to establish and safely maintain professional boundaries
Full Clean Driving Licence (Essential).
Who are we?
We are a Scottish Charity who provides multi-disciplinary services to vulnerable young people throughout the UK. Services include Secure and Residential Accommodation, Care, Education, Health Services and Specialist Intervention Services. We aim to protect and improve the well being of young people in our care, while working with them to build a positive future.
We are a 365 day a year service, and one of our unique benefits is the 150 acres of surrounding woodlands - part of the Rossie estate. This contributes to the therapeutic and holistic pace of life for our young people, and we encourage them to take full advantage of this.
Our services aim to provide a safe and nurturing environment where our young people can grow, develop and thrive, at their own pace. We are relationship-focused and our young people have a direct say in their care plan.
History
Rossie holds a legacy dating back to 1857 when it opened its doors as a Reformatory with the purpose of reclaiming 'young offenders'. Part of the purpose of the reformatory was to provide safety to young people who had faced adversity, committed offences or faced a hostile home environment. Rossie Reformatory aimed to provide help in recovery and to eradicate any chances of re-offending, helping young people become useful members of the community.
While this is still very much the purpose of Rossie today, the organisation has transitioned from what was a control-focussed organisation to what it is now - a child-centred place of safety and wellbeing. Through periods of social, political and educational change, as well as changes in Rossie's business structure, values and focus, Rossie has developed and evolved its services to meet the needs of the young people who stay at the Trust. We strive to create, develop and maintain relationships with young people and their families, through our committed staff.
