Learning and Wellbeing Practitioner

Job Title: Learning & Wellbeing Practitioner

Term Time Only

£13.14 per hour

About Running Deer and Running Deer School

Running Deer is a not for profit organisation based in Dartmoor National Park, which supports adults and children with learning and mental health difficulties, disabilities, and those not in education, employment or training. We provide access to education, training, volunteering, life skills opportunities, and work experience through a variety of outdoors-oriented projects. These projects include the provision of a registered independent school and intervention programme.

Running Deer School provides small, specialist, high-support education provision for local education authorities. Firmly grounded in outdoor education and rural skills, and with a strong focus on core academic achievement, we work with children and young people between 8 and 16 with a range of special educational needs.

Job Description

This is a term time only position.

Learning & Wellbeing Practitioners make up the core team of Running Deer School and our Intervention Programme. Working alongside other Learning & Wellbeing Practitioners and our Teachers you will engage directly with our users and deliver high quality learning opportunities and therapeutic activities. The majority of the day will be spent working one-to-one or two-to-one with a young person in both outdoor and classroom settings.

Learning & Wellbeing Practitioners:

• deliver learning activities which fit in with the national curriculum and other award bodies such as ASDAN,
• deliver and deliver project-based learning as part of our students’ individualised educational learning plan
• deliver therapeutic learning based around traditional, rural, and bushcraft skills,
• deliver therapeutic activities involving animals,
• help to develop our user’s individualised learning plans,
• report daily on our user’s individualised learning plans,
• guide the personal development of our students,
• understand their role in safeguarding our students and staff and work with one another, our safeguarding officers, and external agencies to safeguard children and young people,
• act as a key worker for one or more of our users, and collate information from other Learning & Wellbeing Practitioners,
• work in cooperation with our senior members of staff.

Person Specification

You will:

• be adaptable, display initiative, and be able to work independently; we value creativity and unique thinking,
• demonstrate your ability to work and plan cooperatively,
• demonstrate your ability to develop and deliver project-based learning as part of an individualised education plan,
• be able to enthuse and stimulate children and young people with additional physical, emotional, developmental or mental health needs to enable them to reach their full potential,
• have excellent verbal and written communication skills,
• be committed to continuing professional development,
• be comfortable working with children and young people with additional physical, emotional, developmental, or mental health needs,
• be able to approach your role empathetically and without prejudice while maintaining professional distance and neutrality.
• Be comfortable working outdoors in inclement weather.

Requirements Essential skills and qualifications:

• Excellent core skills (Maths and English)
• Level 3 or higher qualifications (A-level or equivalent).
• A demonstrable understanding of information technology, including online reporting systems
• Experience in youth work, education, or community development in a sector with a focus on children and young people with special educational needs.

Desirable skills and qualifications:

• Experience working in an outdoor environment.
• De-escalation and restraint training (e.g., TeamTeach)
• Emergency First Aid at Work qualification.

Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, which will include a check against the Children’s Barred List. References will be taken up

Things to consider: The majority of the work associated with this role will be outdoors, and you will work in inclement weather. This role can be physically demanding, and includes walking and hiking on inclined and slippery ground, heavy lifting and carrying, and the use of hand tools.

Learning and Wellbeing Practitioners will need to be able to work with children and young people who may display aggressive or non-compliant behaviour in a sensitive but firm way, while at all times ensuring that they are kept safe and well.

Job Type: Part-time
Part-time hours: 35 per week

Salary: £13.14 per hour

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Sick pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Newton Abbot: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Be happy working outdoors in all weathers.

Education:

• A-Level or equivalent (preferred)

Experience:

• working with children and young people: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 16/07/2023
Reference ID: RDS2023
Expected start date: 04/09/2023