We are seeking applications for Education Scotland Associates (ESA) with significant experience in working with children and young people with Additional Support Needs (ASN).

The posts are on a part-time, pro rata basis and will be based throughout Scotland. Base location can be flexible. Working as an Education Scotland Associate is a new, exciting and varied role that gives a national perspective in education. You will be joining a growing network of ESAs who are working with Education Scotland to support improvement.

The Education Scotland Associate role recognises our commitment to increasing opportunities for the profession to be engaged in the work of the organisation. ESAs (Additional Support Needs) will work to support improvement with an ASN specific focus on differentiation and adaptive teaching. They will make an important contribution to our professional learning programmes, drawing on their experience as educators, their specialist skills, and their educational and system knowledge.

ESAs will work with us on an ‘as required’ basis for up to 15 days plus 1 induction day in their first year,  whilst keeping their existing roles.  

To avoid any conflicts of interest, ESAs should not currently be working as Associate Inspectors.

ESAs will have the opportunity to observe practice, co-deliver professional learning and engage with stakeholders throughout Scotland. As such, they may be required to travel, which may include staying overnight away from home.

Role

The Additional Support Needs (ASN) Education Scotland Associates will work closely with the Senior Education Officer for Inclusion and ASN and appointed Education Officers. They will  support the development of, and provide access to, a robust and sustainable package of professional learning on differentiation/adaptive teaching and sharing effective approaches.  

The main responsibility of an Education Scotland Associate is to support improvement of national priorities.

ESAs work alongside Education Scotland staff to enhance specialist capacity and support improvement and policy at national and local level.

As part of this work may be asked to ESAs:

• engage in professional discussions with practitioners, stakeholders, and senior managers
• Identify and promote highly effective practice
• gather and analyse information, including statistical data, from a wide range of sources
• maintain a high level of awareness of current and developing policy and practice in specific aspects of education provision
• engage in appropriate professional learning and development to build and maintain professional knowledge and expertise
• take account of equality and diversity in all aspects of work
• model good practice, challenge discrimination and promote equality to encourage positive outcomes across all education aspects and services

This is an opportunity to strengthen relationships and collaborate with local government colleagues. You will provide support where it is most needed.

Location

Various locations across Scotland.

Closing date and interviews

The closing date for this role is Sunday 7 September 2025 at 11:59pm.

Apply for this role

To apply please complete a vacancy application form.

All applicants will be subject to a selection process, and successful candidates will be provided with the appropriate training.

Endorsement

All applications must be endorsed by their Director, Headteacher or Quality Improvement Officer, as appropriate. Your Local Authority or employer must be in agreement to your release to be involved in this work.

Please ensure that you have the agreement of your employer before making an application. Any applicant who does not have this endorsement will be unable to proceed with their application.

Engagement days

The maximum number of days per year will be 15, although in year one there will be an additional induction day.

It is important to stress that this is a notional figure. Any engagement is agreed on an individual basis with the relevant local authority.

Engagement can take different patterns depending on the nature of the work e.g. short blocks of time or days spread across the year. This will be negotiated.

Associate Inspectors

This is a different role from the established HMIE Associate Inspector role which plays a vital part in Education Scotland’s Inspection Programme. No individual can be an Associate Inspector and an ESA at the same time.

Reimbursement

A reimbursement of £196 per day will be made to the local authority once a project has been completed or the maximum number of days has been reached.

Who can apply

During this round of recruitment, we are seeking applications from educators with experience of working with children and young people with additional support needs

Personal characteristics

The successful applicant must have:

·       Excellent interpersonal skills

·       A clear understanding of the Scottish inclusive education context.

• The ability to support and work collaboratively with colleagues from local authorities and their establishments
• Sound judgment based on evidence
• An ability to work independently and to clear deadlines
• Good organisational and planning skills

Required experience

Applicants must have at least 5 years’ experience as an educator. If you have less than 5 years’ experience you will be unable to proceed with your application.

They must have relevant experience and understanding to support educators across the system to develop their skills and professional development on differentiation/adaptive teaching. As such they require to have current specialist knowledge, experience and practice of:

·       Excellent learning and teaching which involves differentiation and/or adaptive teaching approaches

• Working effectively with children and young people who have additional support needs.
• Designing and/or delivering professional learning to colleagues to support their understanding and practice of differentiation.
• Working effectively with colleagues to support the implementation or moderation of differentiated approaches
• developing appropriate strategic and operational approaches to support effective capacity building. 
• building and maintaining productive and high quality relationships with stakeholders and influencing strategic developments

Additional information

Thank you for your interest in becoming an Education Scotland Associate at this pivotal time in Scottish education.

Scottish Government's ambition is to be a world leading, diverse employer where people can be themselves at work.

We want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please let us know. 

To contact us about adjustments or for further information regarding this post please email the Education Scotland Associates Mailbox.

As part of any recruitment process, Scottish Government and associated public bodies collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants and applicants for public appointments.

Personal information you provide in the recruitment process will be made available to Scottish Government and our additional data processors.