Learning Support Assistant -Farm - Animal Assisted Therapy and Learning Guildford, England
Job description
Are you passionate about working with young people?
Are you passionate about the way in which animals can help us make sense of the world, and help us learn?
We are an expanding organisation and we are recruiting at all three sites as part of our expansion.
We have an established provision in Shamley Green in Surrey, a developing provision that opened in Feb 23 in Liss, Hampshire, and we are currently opening a new site Near East Horsley in Surrey.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the right person. We are particularly looking for people who have some established skills in working with young people with a range of needs. You will need to be resilient, as working with young people with complex needs can at times be challenging, as can working outside in all weather!
Elysian is an animal assisted therapy and learning organisation, established in 2015. Our specialism is supporting children and young people with complex SEMH needs.
All our roles involve an elements of ‘rolling your sleeves up and getting stuck in’ and working creatively in ways to ultimately benefit vulnerable young people.
We offer you a friendly team, an outside work environment, a supportive place work, and future progression opportunities. The salary is already pro rata to term time. We accept part time applicants (minimum 3 days per week) and we also accept non-term time applicants, along with welcoming applicants who wish to work a regular weekend day as part of their working week (not essential).
Please apply through indeed. Please include a covering letter and context to your application (if e.g. applying from out of the area please let us know if/when you are moving to the area).
Elysian is committed to safeguarding all children and young people and follow a rigorous Vetting procedure for all potential applicants, including DBS and reference checking.
We shortlist weekly based on indeed applications, so please do ensure you include all relevant information (you may wish to follow up with additional information should you not have been able to e.g. submit a cover letter).
Once shortlisted, candidates are invited to an initial meet and interview over teams. Selected candidates after this process is then invited to formally apply, using the Elysian application form (downloaded from our website) and attend a second interview and a trial day. The process allows for candidates to get a really good idea of what the role involves and what it is like working for our organisation. Unfortunately, we are unable to facilitate pre-application visits.
About the role
Learning Support Assistants will support children and young people to engage in the learning sessions, often supporting 1-1 and sometimes smaller groups.
You will get up close with a whole range of animals every day, from walking goats and ponies, to undertaking animal care tasks with young people. The key skill is how to engage children and young people who are often disengaged and struggle with motivation and building and maintaining positive relationships.
Job Description
Learning Support Assistant
Full time Term time 9am-5pm
Surrey and Hampshire opportunities.
Job Requirement
The role holder will support a full range of learning, including Animal Assisted Therapeutic Activities, working with complex children and young people. This will consist of supporting a vast variety of needs, including emotional, social, behavioural, learning and mental health needs. It will also involve getting significantly involved in animal care and everything we do on the farm to make sure the service runs smoothly.
Skills
Experience and Qualification
· Degree or higher education in a relevant field or extensive experience working with vulnerable children and young people.
· At least 3 years’ experience of direct client work.
· Qualifications and experience in AAT or Equine Assisted therapy is beneficial (including online learning e.g. BSY/Centre of excellence).
· Experience of SEND education setting.
· Experience in delivering psycho education workshops or supporting groups incorporating animals will be an added advantage.
· Confidence and knowledgeable in caring for animals.
· Sound knowledge of Safeguarding and good professional boundaries is essential.
Additional Skills
· Ability to project a positive public image of self and the organisation whilst exhibiting a culture of outstanding service and high ethical standards.
· Excellent communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English is essential
· Capable of establishing and maintaining constructive interpersonal relationships within the organisation.
· Demonstrated experience of working within a multi-disciplinary and/or diverse environment.
Overview of role
Supporting young people to undertake educational and therapeutic activities with animals on the farm, including providing 1-1 for learners who need extra support.
Provide informal assessment of new young people, and contribute to formulating therapeutic and educational goals, individualised for each young person
Maintain any records necessary for the evaluation of service needs and efficiency and ensure that documentation is clear, accurate and in compliance with legal requirements.
Undertake research relevant to the work as needed.
Maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality at all times.
Prepare and deliver structured Animal Assisted Therapy and/or Learning sessions for groups and individuals, including workshops and delivering learning plans/lessons where applicable.
Where appropriate, provide coaching and training for students, junior or new staff.
Where appropriate provide supervision of apprentices and/or volunteers.
Oversee and undertake general liaison with young people, their carers/parents and relevant professionals within and outside the organisation with regards to general progress reporting and follow up.
Contribute to the overall promotion activities of the organisation.
Contribute to the overall ethos and aims of the organisations and general team agenda, which may include ensuring animals are healthy, happy and looked after, and/or developmental or maintenance tasks as part of a current or ongoing organisational agenda.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £17,729.00-£21,829.00 per year
Benefits:
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Experience:
- working with young people: 3 years (preferred)
- working with SEND/complex needs: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
