Outdoor Learning Coordinator: Adult Groups - Cumbria
Susan’s Farm
Location: Houghton, Carlisle, Cumbria
Salary: £29,835 FTE (£18,697 pro rata)
Closes: 29/10/26
Outdoor Learning Coordinator: Adult Groups at Susan’s Farm
Part-time, 23.5 hours per week (current working pattern is Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) Some flexibility over hours is possible. Permanent, with six months' probation period
Salary: £29,835 FTE (£18,697 pro rata). 3% employer pension contribution. 32 days annual leave including bank holidays (20 days pro rata).
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, and group sessions 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
We are looking for an Outdoor Learning Coordinator to join the team, to deliver our day service to adults who have learning disabilities / difficulties, mental health problems, addiction issues or who are neurodiverse. We currently offer group sessions three days a week, with some people attending twice a week. Full day sessions run from 9am-3pm and include a shared lunch. Our service is open-ended, several people have attended for over a decade and others have returned after a break. Some service users attend with a support worker. Activities include: helping with farming tasks and interacting with animals; walks and time outdoors exploring different habitats; arts, crafts and cooking. Most service users pay for sessions, and grant funding covers additional costs.
Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment at Susan's Farm
Susan’s Farm believes that all children and adults at 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 members are suitable for a position for working with children and adults at risk. Our safeguarding policies and safer recruitment policy are available here.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (as amended in 2013 & 2020). Applicants are required to disclose criminal convictions. Confirmation of appointment is subject to an 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.
Job description
Group work
- 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.
- Cover other team 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 users are 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 promoting the service to other charities, social services, colleges etc.
- 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 events to keep 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 electronic records.
Able to use Microsoft 365 (Word, Outlook).
Full UK driving licence; confident to drive a nine-seater minibus, or to learn.
Confident being around cattle, or willingness to build confidence.
Able, or willing to learn to ride a quad bike.
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.
A qualification in outdoor learning.
Website: Vacancies at susan's farm - susansfarm.
How to apply:
Complete the application form and the self-disclosure forms available on our website at www.susansfarm.co.uk/vacancies, and return both forms to [email protected] by 29 October 2026. Only fully completed application forms will be considered and CVs will not be accepted.