Outdoor Learning Coordinator: Adult Groups - Cumbria in Carlisle

Contract type Part time / Permanent

Closing date 29 Oct 2026 03:00 PM

Outdoor Learning Coordinator: Adult Groups at Susan’s Farm

Part-time, 23.5hours per week (current working patternisTuesday, Thursday, Friday)Some flexibility over hours is possible. Permanent, with six months' probation period

About Susan's Farm

Susan’s Farm is a small educational charity running day services for adults, young people and children through an organic livestock farm near Carlisle, Cumbria. Our vision is that people’s lives are transformed by working together in purposeful outdoor activity so they can reach their full potential. We run educational visits for schools, an alternative provision service for young people who struggle with secondary school, andgroupsessions for adults. Our livestock consists of a small herd of Longhorn cattle, a flock of sheep, chickens, and two farm cats. We are certified organic to Soil Association standards, and sell our own organic beef and lamb, and organic produce from other local suppliers direct to customers.

Purpose of Role

WearelookingforanOutdoorLearningCoordinatortojointheteam,todeliverourdayservice to adults who have learning disabilities / difficulties, mental health problems, addiction issues or who are neurodiverse. Wecurrently offer group sessionsthreedays a week, with some people attending twice a week.Full day sessions run from 9am-3pmand include a shared lunch. Our service is open-ended, several people have attended for over a decade and othershave returned after a break. Some service users attend with a support worker. Activitiesinclude:helping with farming tasks and interacting with animals;walks and time outdoors exploring different habitats;arts,craftsandcooking. Most service users pay for sessions, and grant funding covers additional costs.

Safeguardingand Safer Recruitment at Susan's Farm

Susan’s Farm believes that all children andadultsat risk deserve to live, study and work in an environment that promotes their health, well-being and development and is free from abuse, maltreatment, and exploitation. Susan’s Farm is committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children and adults who attend our services. To do this Susan’s Farm will ensure that all staff membersare suitable for a position for working with children and adults at risk.Our safeguarding policies and safer recruitment policy are available here .

ThisroleisexemptfromtheRehabilitationofOffendersAct1974(asamendedin2013&2020).Applicants are required to disclose criminal convictions. Confirmation of appointment is subject toan enhanced with barred list check with the DBS(Disclosure and Barring Service)which will be arranged and paid for by Susan’s Farm.

Right to work

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. A statutory right-to-work check will be conducted prior to employment.

• Create and deliver a programme of farming and nature-based activities appropriate to service users' abilities and interests, across both our sites.
• Build relationships with, and understand the individual goals, preferences and needs of service users.
• Ensure all service users are engaged and involved in activities.
• Listen to, and proactively engage in conversation with service users, including at lunchtimes.
• Collect feedback from service users to inform the development of the service, and for use in funding applications. Take appropriate photographs of activities.
• Coverotherteam members' sessions when required.
• Prepare equipment and spaces as required for sessions.

Safeguarding and health & safety

• Report all safeguarding issues in line with organisational policies.
• Ensure individual risk assessments for service usersare up-to-date and implemented.
• Follow organisational risk assessments and health & safety policies at all times.
• Carry out dynamic risk assessments and adapt sessions to individual circumstances / weather conditions etc.
• Ensure service users are wearing appropriate clothing, have appropriate equipment, and that the Farm Cook is aware of their dietary requirements.

Marketing,liaison and administration

• Maintain telephone contact with service users and their families / carers around the timing of sessions, holidays etc.
• Liaise with the Administrator to ensure invoices are issued.
• Maintain service user numbers by promotingthe serviceto other charities, social services, collegesetc.
• Process referrals to the service, completing appropriate paperwork and contributing to an ongoing, positive relationship between Susan's Farm and referrers.
• Maintain up-to-date records and registers on an online system.
• Work alongside occasional volunteers, occupational therapy students and others who are on placement in the service.
• Support the preparation of funding applications.

Site maintenance and farming support

• Contribute to keeping indoor and outdoor areas clean, tidy and secure (put away equipment, sweep floors and paths, load dishwasher, lock up etc.)
• Work with the Farming Lead to identify and organise appropriate farming tasks for groups.
• With groups or individually as required:
• Feed cats and chickens, clean out chicken shed when needed, collect and box eggs
• Walk through livestock at both sites to check the health of sheep and cattle
• In winter, feed cattle and sheep at both sites.

Personal specification

1. Working with people who are neurodiverse, have mental health issues or learning disabilities / difficulties, and their families / carers

Proven understanding of the needs of these groups, and a commitment to their rights and well-being.

Experience of planning and delivering group sessions with adults with the profile of our service users, ideally in an outdoor setting.

Able to build and maintain relationships with service users and their families / carers, while maintaining appropriate boundaries and confidentiality.

High levels of empathy, patience and kindness.Emotional maturity and resilience. Calm and professional manner.

Ability to use judgement and respond to unexpected eventstokeep everyone safe.

Ability to give clear verbal instructions in straightforward language.

Ability to managing challenging behaviour appropriately.

2. Experience, attributes and skills

Excellent interpersonal skills when communicating with colleagues, including ability to ask for, and proactively offer support when needed.

Willing to pitch in with day-to-day tidying, maintenance and farming tasks, to support the running of the organisation.

Able to understand and follow organisational policies.

Experience of maintaining accurate and up-to-date electronicrecords.

Able, or willing to learn to ride a quad bike.

FullUKdriving licence; confident to drive a nine-seater minibus, or to learn.

Confidentbeing around cattle, or willingness to build confidence.

Experience of a small, community setting.

3. Knowledge and interests

Understanding of adult safeguarding and willingness to undertake safeguarding training as required.

Knowledge of other organisations in the area working with people who may be interested in attending Susan's Farm.

Knowledge of natural history/ecology/conservation; interest in sustainable farming.

#J-18808-Ljbffr