Hours
Full‑time preferred (36 hours per week, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm). We are happy to consider candidates seeking a four‑day (29 hour) working week.
Reporting To
Senior Learning Facilitator
Benefits
- Free Uniform
- 28 days holiday inclusive of Bank Holidays
- Access to Counselling
- Employee Perks Website
- Paid Break
- Cycle to work Scheme
- Company Pension
Job Description
Working alongside other Learning Facilitators and teachers you will work in small groups or occasionally 1:1 with our users delivering therapeutic activities and supporting them with their learning. Most of your time will be outdoors in our woodland and surrounding areas working on projects and activities that will stimulate our users, enabling them to grow both emotionally and academically.
- Support students with project‑based learning as part of their individualised educational learning plan
- Support students with therapeutic activities and learning such as traditional and rural skills, bushcraft, working with horses and so on
- Help to develop our users' individualised learning plans
- Support teachers with learning activities which fit in with the national curriculum and other award bodies such as ASDAN, Gateway and Open Awards
- Report daily on our users' 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 Facilitators
- Work cooperatively with other staff and senior leaders
Person Specification
In this role you will:
- have experience in youth work or working within a school environment
- 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
- 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
- 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 while approaching your role empathetically and without prejudice, maintaining professional distance and neutrality
- be comfortable working outdoors in inclement weather
- be able to commute to our site just outside Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor
Requirements – Essential Skills and Qualifications
- Experience in youth work, education, or community development in a sector with a focus on children and young people with special educational needs
- 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
Requirements – Desirable Skills and Qualifications
- Experience working in an outdoor environment
- De‑escalation and restraint training (e.g., TeamTeach)
- Emergency First Aid at Work qualification
About Running Deer
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, 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. Running Deer School is a trauma‑informed school.
Things to Consider
Some of the young people we work with can display aggressive or non‑compliant behaviour and you must be able to deal with this in a sensitive but firm way, while at all times ensuring they are kept safe and well.
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‑told.
Running Deer is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Successful applicants will have to meet the requirements of the person specification and will be subject to pre‑employment checks including a health check, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
For an application pack please email recruitment@runningdeer.org.uk
Closing date for applications: 9am Wednesday 12th August 2026
Interviews will take place over W/C 24th August 2026
