Forest School Leader at The Outdoors Group Ltd

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a position within our fantastic Forest School & Training Team, working alongside our experienced staff to provide Forest School of the highest quality through a variety of established sessions. As our provision has grown in reach both in attendance and geographic location, we are looking for someone with the passion and drive to assist our team in ensuring we continue to cater to our customers high expectations of what we offer. You will be working within our team to bring your skillset and application of best Forest School practice to groups for Home-Educated children, Parents and Toddlers, Children’s Birthday Parties and School-Outreach sessions. Working across a number of our beautiful woodland sites, you will have the ability to work within all aspects of our Forest School provision in a role that will provide opportunities for both personal and career development.

Reporting to: Forest School Site Lead & Deputy Head of Forest School & Training.

Job Purpose: To focus primarily on session delivery and to assist the Site Lead. Also, to support staff and engage attendees throughout sessions, as well as planning and developing Forest School & Training provision within the company.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• To work closely with Site Lead to ensure the daily running of the Forest School, in line with the policies and procedures of The Outdoors Group.
• Preparing for and leading of sessions, ensuring site is adequately stocked with required resources.
• To work closely with the Forest School team in the development of Forest School & Training provision within TOG.
• Support-based approaches for social and emotional development of attendees.

Responsibilities of the post will also include:

• To help maintain the site with reference to HSE, First Aid and Safeguarding Procedures. This will include the completion of regular site surveys, giving feedback to the Site Lead/Deputy Head of Forest School & Training and the Operations Team.
• Ensuring sites are kept tidy and prepared for following sessions.
• Ensuring attendees are signed in/out as required.
• Giving verbal feedback to parents/carers.
• Accident/incident/safeguarding reporting.
• Carrying out any CPD deemed necessary for the role.
• Providing cover for absent staff and being prepared to work across all Forest School sites, if required.
• Communicating effectively within the Forest School & Training team.
• Engaging with wider company aims and objectives, taking part in staff development days.
• Engaging in and assisting with the delivery of CPD to colleagues (skill-sharing).

This post requires working across several sites.

This post requires a DBS check.

Employee Benefits: 35 days holiday (including bank holidays and our two-week Christmas shutdown).
Free employee events throughout the year including our ‘infamous’ Christmas party.
As a company, we invest in continual learning and training for all our staff and run three company staff development away days each year.
Staff discounts.
Progressive pay bands for all roles, linked to performance.

The interview date for this position will be scheduled for Friday 13th October. For more information, and to discuss the role, please email [email protected].

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of Forest School ethos
• Experience of working with children
• Good Maths and English skills
• Experience in working as part of a team
• Outdoor activities/pursuits experience

Desirable

• Experience of working within a Forest School setting
• 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

Essential

• Commitment to safeguarding and safe practice
• Commitment to equal opportunities
• Resilience to working outdoors in all weathers
• Understanding attitude towards a flexible, individual focused approach to learning

Desirable

• A positive approach to training and personal development
• Ability to be solution-focused
• 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

Essential

• L2 Forest School Leader qualification
• Paediatric First Aid qualification
• Willingness to undergo relevant training, upon request of the organisation

Desirable

• L3 Forest School Leader qualification
• First Aid at Work
• L2 Safeguarding
• Prevent Awareness

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.

Job Types: Permanent, Full-time

Salary: £21,330.00-£25,821.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 23/10/2023