Apprentice Equine Groom (12 - 18 Month Fixed Term Contract) / Secondment

You must be 18+ to apply. We encourage applicants to apply early; if we receive a high volume of applicants, we may close the advert earlier than the planned date. Applicants will be subject to a papersift, interview and then a final suitability assessment demonstrating their equine management skills. Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

Duration: The apprenticeship would typically take 12-18 months.

Required Qualifications: English and Maths. Apprentices without level 1 English and maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for level 2 English and maths prior to completion of their Apprenticeship. Level: This is a Level 2 Apprenticeship (equivalent to GCSE).

This job description records the principal responsibilities of the job at the date shown. The job description will be updated from time to time in conjunction with the post holders to reflect changes. Please note that we will consider making reasonable adjustments to the above, in line with the Equality Act.

Role Purpose: To provide a professional equestrian service ensuring the horses are healthy and in good condition by looking after their everyday needs. This role focuses on a requirement for high standards of care with welfare at the forefront and will include grooming and meeting the exercising needs of a variety of large horses to enable the Mounted Unit to achieve its maximum operational potential. The apprentice equine groom will work under the supervision and be mentored by the Equine Groom and supervised by the Equine Stable Manager undertaking any jobs directed by them. The role involves working within a small team environment and the applicant must demonstrate a strong team-working ethic. The applicant will be supporting the welfare of many large horses and needs to demonstrate a willingness to follow decisions/instruction regarding equine and stable related issues. The applicant must be able to communicate effectively at all levels both verbally and in writing.

Essential and Desirable Skills:

• Essential: Some knowledge of and willingness to learn about professional equine care, nutrition, training, and health management, with a particular focus on welfare and behavioural indicators in a variety of situations including transport, husbandry, and for veterinary treatments.
• Some evidence-based equitation knowledge and willingness to learn up-to-date understanding of equine behaviour and learning theory alongside an ability to apply this practically when handling, riding and training horses, including large and inexperienced horses.
• Ability to foster positive human-horse interactions across the mounted unit and ensure training and handling methods are ethical promoting confidence and security alongside minimising stress.
• Knowledge of stables/riding school.
• Willingness to learn how to complete a comprehensive log of equine behaviour, activities and exercise.
• Has achieved a good attendance record.
• Able to carry out duties including lifting, bending, stooping, climbing, loading/unloading, carrying. (This post is subject to medical examination).
• Flexible approach to areas of work according to rostered schedules with an alternating/rotating shift pattern.
• Desirable: Maths and English GCSE at Grade 4 or above.

Main Duties:

As an apprentice you will be expected to have some knowledge of horses and the industry, whilst it is not expected for you to be able to complete the below duties alone or in their entirety at the beginning of your placement, it is expected that you have the aptitude, willingness and physical ability to learn them.

• Ensure all horses receive the highest standard of daily care, including feeding, grooming, and general health monitoring.
• Provide fresh water and high-quality forage, ensuring horses have access to an appropriate diet.
• Monitor horses for signs of illness, injury, stress, or discomfort, reporting concerns immediately to the Yard Manager.
• Carry out regular checks for lameness, wounds, or behavioural changes that may indicate underlying issues.
• Assist in implementing enrichment activities to support mental stimulation and well-being.
• Muck out stables daily, ensuring a clean, dry, and hygienic environment for all horses.
• Provide fresh bedding and maintain appropriate stable conditions to prevent health issues.
• Dispose of waste correctly and follow biosecurity protocols to minimise the risk of disease.
• If required and age applicable - use a quad bike adhering to any risk assessment(s) and PPE requirements to maintain arena and turnout areas once appropriate training is completed.
• Support with riding and exercise of police horses according to training plans, ensuring they are fit, balanced, and responsive.
• Assist in maintaining and improving each horse's fitness, and willingness through structured training sessions.
• Assist with groundwork and long-reining exercises to support training and conditioning.
• If required - Ride out on roads, in various environments, and alongside police officers to provide a varied training approach with use of appropriate PPE in line with risk assessment(s).
• Follow ethical, evidence-based training methods that prioritise welfare, avoiding unnecessary pressure or stress.
• To assist with operating any horse walker, including loading and unloading. Carry out basic maintenance and cleaning of horse walker and ancillary equipment. Report all faults to supervisors.
• Clean and maintain saddles, bridles, and other tack to ensure it remains in good condition and fits correctly.
• Assist in checking and fitting tack to prevent discomfort, soreness, or injuries.
• Report any damaged or ill-fitting tack and equipment to the Yard Manager.
• Confidently handle and lead police horses in a calm and ethical manner, including when turning out, bringing in, and moving between areas.
• Assist with groundwork, and light exercise under the guidance of the Yard Manager and trainers.
• To confidently ride police horses in walk/trot/canter and over ground poles/a small jump, maintaining a level of fitness to do so.
• Prepare horses for police duties, including grooming, tacking up, and ensuring they are fit for work.
• Support with routine first aid and assist the vet, farrier, or other professional during visits.
• Assist with recording and monitoring any treatments, injuries, or medication as instructed by the Yard Manager.
• Assist with worming, vaccinations, and dental check-ups as part of the horse's healthcare routine.
• Follow safe procedures for turning out and bringing in horses, considering their individual needs and temperaments.
• Assist with ensuring all horses receive regular turnout where appropriate, to prevent injury or stress.
• Check fencing, water troughs, and field conditions to maintain a safe turnout environment.
• Confidently handle and lead horses in all situations, including busy environments and high-pressure scenarios.
• Assist in preparing horses for police patrols, ensuring they are groomed, equipped, and checked before deployment.
• Assist with ensuring horses have supplies of forage and water to be taken on deployment and that riders are aware of when horses should be given rest breaks.
• Assist with conducting pre- and post-deployment welfare checks, ensuring horses recover properly after patrols or events.
• Assist with loading, unloading, and ensuring safe transport of horses to and from deployments, training sessions, or public events.
• If required - complete any required driver training and drive mounted unit vehicles in line with WMP Policies.
• Follow all animal welfare legislation, police equine welfare policies, and ethical riding principles.
• Adhere to and assist in ensuring strict health and safety regulations are followed when handling, riding, and working around horses.
• Work collaboratively with the Yard Manager, other grooms, apprentices, trainers, and mounted officers to maintain high standards of horse care and welfare.
• Set a positive example and display professional conduct, representing the mounted unit appropriately at all times.
• Maintain any WMP Mounted Unit electronic or paper records as required and instructed by the Grooms/Head Groom/Stable Manager.
• To follow WMP Disease Outbreak Management Policy when necessary.
• To fully participate in WMP's development review process and ensure complete mandatory WMP training.
• Maintain any professional CPD.
• To comply with and ensure apprentices adhere to the requirements of WMP's policies on Drug and Alcohol testing.
• Adhere to and ensure apprentices comply with Data Protection, Freedom of Information and Human Rights legislation and the Authorised Professional Practice (Information Management).
• To attend to the horses at other locations when required in company with another member of the mounted unit.
• To assist with security of premises during normal working hours, including the perimeter gates.
• To carry out such other duties which are consistent with the nature, responsibilities and grading of the post or commensurate with the role of Groom in the equine industry.

Hours: Mix of early and late shifts. Shifts can cover between the hours of 07:00 - 23:00. A degree of flexibility will be required.

Location: Within West Midlands force area.

Vetting: Successful applicants will be required to pass Recruitment Vetting and Counter Terrorism Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical: Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.

Benefit Statement: By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements, discounts across travel, parking, daily costs of living and leisure activities, and a comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support, free eye tests and flu jabs.

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment, we operate a 'Disability Confident Interview Scheme' - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities.