Horticulture Learner Support Assistant

Full Job Description

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing the things you love!

Care First are recruiting for a Horticulture Learner Support Assistant to join their team and truly make a difference.

• £17,875.00 per annum
• 27.5 hours per week
• Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3.30pm
• Permanent, 52 weeks per year
• UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As a Horticultural Learner Support Assistant, you will provide the person-centred support and care needed by our learners with disabilities, in and between activities, to enable them to take full benefit of the provision.

As the Horticultural learning support assistant you will take overall responsibility for the progress of learners within the setting but you will be required to carry out ‘specified work’ under your direct line managers direction, which will include working with small groups and/or delivering 1:1 learning. You will be required to support pupils to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in basic gardening.

Gardening/Horticulture qualifications are desirable but not essential however, gardening experience, a love of the outdoors, a desire to work the land and to grow vegetables and plants are required for this post. 

Although this role requires the ability to support our Learners primarily in gardening lessons, the successful applicant will also support our young people at Care First - Silicia to interact effectively with the world around them, express themselves and communicate confidently. Your timetable may contain lessons other than gardening. 

Job purpose

To support and promote the development of learners attending the ‘Skills Tank’ Provision and to meet the range of social care and support needs for vulnerable adults with a broad range of needs and conditions.

To actively support the Hub Manager in the delivery of Educational and Learning through fun activities and to promote a quality and professional service at all times.

• To give concise and accurate feedback to Hub Manager on each learner’s progress so that assessments are focused and the learning direction clear
• To be fully aware and alerted to changes in individual behaviour due to an activity being altered, e.g. swimming needing to be changed to a different day due to minibus breakdown
• To be aware of all fire regulations and the policies involved for the safety of students and work colleagues and to continually promote Health and Safety throughout the Skills Tank
• Supervising and providing particular support for pupils, ensuring their safety and access to learning/activities during lessons.
• Creating varied and interesting lessons to promote engagement in the subject
• Contributing to grounds upkeep
• To participate in all training organised as appropriate to the position

Qualifications

• Desirable – NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care, Teaching Assistant level 2 or 3
• Desirable – City + Guilds Level 1 in Certificate in Practical Horticulture Skills qualification 

Knowledge & Experience

• Gardening/Horticulture qualifications are desirable but not essential. Industry competence would be beneficial. However, gardening knowledge, experience of working with pupils, a love of the outdoors, a desire to work the land, to grow vegetables and plants are of the utmost importance.
• Experience of working as a Teaching Assistant or within a similar role
• Experience of working with adults with learning difficulties/disabilities, autism and Mental Health
• Experience of behaviour that can challenge
• Desirable – knowledge and experience of autism and Mental Health
• Desirable - NVQ Level 2 Health and Social Care – Adults
• Desirable - a City + Guilds Level 1 in Certificate in Practical Horticulture Skills qualification
• Prepared to undertake on-going training and day to day learning throughout employment

About Us

Care First help people who learn differently, we aim to give young adult and adults a better, brighter and more fulfilled life through practical and educational activities. 

Our Hub at Silica Road is a large 3 acre site with two separate buildings. We support learners with a variety of complex needs such as behavioural needs, mild/moderate learning difficulties and autism. 

Everything that we do is based on thoroughly understanding the needs of our students and how we can best support them in achieving positive outcomes.

Our approach is caring, positive and adaptable, and is underpinned by a thorough theoretical knowledge. Our staff come from relevant educational and therapeutic backgrounds and have extensive experience of supporting adults with complex needs.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join us?

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support. 

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

#Education #adults #learningsupportassistant #support #complexneeds #specialeducation

#1