Technical Instructor - Woodworks in Exeter

We are looking to recruit a full‑time, compassionate, inspiring and creative Woodwork instructor who has experience of teaching or mentoring people, to join our friendly vocational rehabilitation team based at our 32‑acre semi‑rural site on the edge of Exminster. The role involves assisting people to achieve their personal development goals through wood, providing a safe, non‑judgemental learning environment and helping them work towards employment or voluntary work by the end of their 24‑week placement. We have a large comprehensive wood workshop where you will support people in learning to make a range of nature‑based products and, with creative imagination, develop our commercial output. The role requires working mainly alone in the workshop, teaching service users basic skills and managing your own department.

Main Duties

• Work collaboratively with the Service Manager and Vocational Specialist to support individuals in achieving personalised vocational goals.
• Hold a clinical caseload of people, developing their skills and confidence in woodworking and resilience in a replication of a work setting.
• Apply an understanding of mental health and an empathetic approach towards people attending the service.
• Have patience, excellent listening skills, and the expertise to support new learners, providing motivation and encouragement for a can‑do attitude.
• Communicate effectively with the New Leaf team, service users and customers.
• Manage purchasing of raw materials within budget limits, cost products for commercial sale, and prioritise tasks within the week.
• Ensure health and safety requirements are followed and equipment is in good working order.
• Maintain accurate clinical records using the Trust electronic recording system and discuss concerns with the Service Manager.
• Develop a creative vision for the woodwork department and support its development and reputation.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain good working relationships with team members and ensure continuity of work during absences.
• Communicate tactfully and sensitively with people using the services, carers, mental health professionals and employers.
• Maintain professional and respectful communications with commercial and public customers of New Leaf and liaise as necessary to support commercial activities.
• Hold a case list of patients as the identified technical instructor.
• Support other departments when required or during staff shortages.
• Work in groups or individually with people using the service, providing advice and instruction.
• Contribute to organising and planning training programmes and facilitate visits to other relevant providers.
• Develop working relationships with other agencies and third‑party providers to support employment goals.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

• Maintain health and safety procedures at all times.
• Discuss and support concerns about service users' health and well‑being.
• Ensure equipment meets Health and Safety at Work Act standards and arrange servicing or replacement.
• Monitor quality of products produced by New Leaf.
• Report any risk concerns, accidents or incidents.
• Monitor caseload progress and report updates at weekly meetings.
• Work with the Employment Specialist to identify planned changes.
• Assess progress towards agreed goals and amend action plans as needed.

Planning and Organisational Skills

• Manage own diary and prioritise time to meet all work commitments.
• Liaise with the Employment Specialist and other health professionals to arrange suitable placements.
• Develop training programmes to help people reach their maximum potential.
• Participate in regular supervision to maintain a high standard of practice.
• Arrange times of absence from work with the Team Manager.
• Educate and instruct people in safe work practices.
• Record and monitor risk assessments within the department.
• Process purchase card receipts and maintain financial records.
• Support a learning environment that encourages sharing of knowledge.

Commitment to Patient/Client Care

• Supervise people attending the department and ensure safe use of equipment.
• Identify individual capabilities and build vocational goals.
• Support and monitor progress toward action plans.
• Keep accurate records and information on treatments in the Trust system.
• Assist the Team Manager in production and maintenance of local policies.
• Identify and generate work with potential customers to support the commercial element.
• Assist with health & safety risk assessments on and off site.
• Participate in training to maintain clinical knowledge and technical skills.
• Engage in supervision with the Team Manager.
• Assist in induction of new staff and describe the role of a Technical Instructor.

Information Resources and Administrative Duties

• Maintain up‑to‑date clinical records on the Trust system.
• Record statistical information through survey and audit.
• Use IT systems for data entry, e‑mail and word processing.
• Conduct action plan reviews and contribute to care plans.
• Process departmental sales orders and maintain records until completion.
• Perform stock control audits as requested.

Research and Development

• Review and develop new working practices in line with evidence‑based practice.
• Participate in staff surveys.
• Undertake audits to support service improvement.

Freedom to Act

• Make clinical decisions in conjunction with colleagues/Team Manager.
• Adhere to Trust policies and environmental health regulations.

Other Specific Tasks

• Participate in training to keep skills up to date.
• Promote New Leaf to families, commercial customers, colleagues, partners and visitors.
• Attend monthly clinical and management supervision.
• Attend yearly personal development and review meetings.

Person Specification – Experience

• Substantial experience in woodwork/woodcraft and teaching or mentoring of individuals or groups.
• Awareness of mental health.
• Proficiency with email, Microsoft Word and Excel.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working with people who have a mental health condition.
• Personal experience of mental health issues.
• Experience working with or supporting people in a natural environment.

Professionalism

• Excellent organisational skills and ability to produce timely work.
• Professional conduct and boundary maintenance.
• UK driving licence holder.

Desirable Professionalism

• Basic counselling skills.

Qualifications – Essential

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in woodworking practice.
• IT skills.

Qualifications – Desirable

• PTLLS – Adult teaching qualification.
• NVQ Level 3 in mental health care with knowledge skills development to diploma level.
• First aid at work certificate.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.