Woodland Outdoor Practitioner/Forest School Leader

Permanent, Full time (52 weeks per year)

Start Date: March, 2026

Hours: 37.5

Organisation: The Outdoors Group Ltd

Closing Date: 04/01/2026

Location: All Forest School and AOP sites

About the Outdoors Group:

The Outdoors Group offers a variety of Forest School based sessions for a diverse range of learners, based exclusively outside in our various woodland settings. Following the joining of our Forest School, Training, and Alternative Outdoor Provision (AOP), we provide a broad prospectus and range of pathways for children and adult learners alike, to access Outdoor Education and Forest School sessions as well as Training programmes.

All sessions focus on the individual, utilising a holistic and learner-led approach whether they are part of Forest School group sessions, Training Programmes or accessing our 1:1 provision to progress within EHCP targets and educational setting desired outcomes.

Our sessions consist of:

• Forest School sessions
• Home Education Sessions
• Parent and Toddler Groups
• Holiday Clubs
• Birthday Parties
• Registered AP sessions catering to children in mainstream education that require support away from the classroom, run from a variety of woodland sites.
• Assisting with development of learners working within EHCP targets on a 1:1 basis.
• Facilitating small group sessions for learners who require additional support within a group setting of 2:6.
• Holiday Club provision with higher support ratios.
• Operating Forest School and AOP provision for external School settings.
• Community group sessions.
• Accredited Adult Training Programmes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Use support-based and relationship-based approaches for the social, emotional and mental health development of learners.
• Work closely with Site Leads to ensure daily running of sessions in line with policies and procedures of TOG.
• Plan engaging games and activities based on the needs of the learner/s.
• Provide excellent behaviour management support skills to support learners who display behaviours that challenge.
• Complete report logs as necessary – daily and termly.
• If working in a group environment, plan, lead & deliver inclusive & engaging group activities.
• Work collaboratively with the AOP/FS team towards the development of our provision.

Responsibilities of the post will also include:

• Goal setting for learners in conjunction with EHCPs and recommendations from schools/agencies.
• Contributing information to Head of AOP and Forest School & Training in order to update internal systems and external agencies.
• Communication with parents/carers at drop off and pick up times.
• Reporting of accidents, incidents, and safeguarding when necessary.
• Reporting daily attendance through a web-based system.
• Engaging in CPD with colleagues (training and skill-sharing opportunities).
• Contributing to the general upkeep of the site and resources.
• Travel to different sites will be necessary, though an effort will be made to keep work as close to employee’s home locations as possible.
• Work closely with other staff & managers to plan, deliver & review sessions being delivered.
• Engaging in wider company aims and objectives, and taking part and contributing to development days.

This post requires a DBS check. The Outdoors Group believe in supporting and nurturing all employees and you would therefore be expected to participate and engage with our bespoke Company CPD programs to meet the needs of your job role and enable you to grow with the organisation.

Please note that all employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in their job description. This job description is current at the date shown, but in consultation with you, may be amended by your line manager to reflect or anticipate changes in the job role.

Person Specification:

Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• Excellent behaviour management skills with a high emphasis on solution-focused planning and delivery of bespoke SEMH skills program.
• Excellent support skills with a commitment to critical reflection and professional development.
• A learner-focused approach and ability to differentiate and create bespoke opportunities according to learner needs.
• Knowledge of behaviour intervention and support practices.
• Commitment to safeguarding and safe practice.
• An understanding of learners with challenging behaviour.
• Reflective and responsive to the needs of learner, recognising potential barriers to learning and seeking to overcome these.
• Previous experience working within outdoor education or Forest School settings.
• Knowledge and understanding of Forest School ethos.
• Experience of working with children.
• Experience in working as part of a team.
• Good Maths and English skills.
• Recent experience of working with Primary or Secondary learners with SEMH difficulties and ASD/PDA.
• Knowledge of inter-agency working.
• Experience as a Forest School Assistant/Leader.
• Knowledge and competency of practical tool use.
• Experience in working with children with a range of educational/behavioural requirements (SEN/EBD).

Personal Qualities:

• Ability to work successfully as part of a team.
• Enthusiasm and drive for improvement.
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral).
• Self-motivated and resilient.
• Willingness to travel across company sites.
• Resilience to working outdoors in all weathers.
• Demonstrate a commitment and passion for the forest school ethos.
• High expectations of children and a desire to ensure they reach their full potential.
• Commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.
• Commitment to safeguarding and safe practice.
• Commitment to Equal Opportunities.
• Understanding attitude towards a flexible individual focused approach to learning.
• A positive approach to training and personal development.
• Ability to be solution-focused.
• Ability to follow direction from senior staff when necessary.
• Creative drive to develop activities and inspire learners.
• Willingness to learn through working with an experienced team.
• A good sense of humour.
• Forward thinking.
• Flexible approach.

Qualifications & Training:

• 5 GCSE’s grade A-C or equivalent.
• Willingness to complete necessary qualifications and training.
• Prevent First Aid (Paediatric & Forest School).
• PRICE Training.
• Ability to run and support training courses.