Green Care Support Worker 

Who we are 

St Werburghs City Farm connects people through land, nature and food. Each year, we engage 60,000 people in spaces and services that build resilience, reduce isolation and strengthen community. Our activities include accredited gardening placements for adults with learning disabilities, animal husbandry courses for inner-city children, woodland mindfulness for adults experiencing poor mental health, and conservation courses for people looking to develop new skills and connections. We pride ourselves on supporting people, from all walks of life, to learn, grow and thrive.  We are a community-focused employer that values all forms of diversity. 

What you will love about working here 

• Working in a supportive environment that values your diversity and talent. 
• Access to training opportunities and reflective practice 
• Working in an outdoor setting in our garden, greenhouse and polytunnel 
• Being part of a team that strives for greater inclusion and equity. 
• Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days and bank holiday pro rata 
• Participation in the NEST pension scheme 
• Access to the cycle-to-work scheme 

About the role 

We’re looking for someone who wants to be part of a team that makes a real and lasting difference in people’s lives. The Farm offers supported training opportunities and therapeutic placements in horticulture and animal care for adults with learning difficulties and mental health concerns. The Green Care Support Worker will be responsible for assisting Farm Green Care staff in delivering and supporting the project’s Horticultural Green Care and Training program for adults with learning difficulties, mental health concerns, and physical disabilities.  

 You will be responsible for:   

Support practical activities in the Green Care Unit for groups of adults with special needs, under the direction of the Green Care Officer or other designated person including: 

• Supporting the Green Care Officer in planning and implementing the plant propagation, planting, and maintenance programmes for the community garden, farm borders, and beds and greenhouses, using organic gardening techniques. 
• Supporting the Green care officer in a quarterly pop-up café run with clients.  
• Support arts and crafts sessions including seasonal celebratory crafts, and to sell at events and pop-up café.
• Working with individuals and their support workers, to support clients and groups of clients as required, enabling them to achieve stated goals and to reach their full potential in a supportive environment. 
• Act as a key worker to assigned clients, working with them and their carers to create (and review annually) an individualised support plan, and review goals with them every 6 months  
• To undertake basic administration duties including ensuring that clients sign in and keeping and maintaining appropriate client records after each session. 
• Responsible for ensuring the safety of yourself, and others in the daily work of the unit, working in accordance with departmental risk assessments, Safeguarding, and health and safety policies. 
• Attend team, and other staff meetings as required. 
• Support clients to engage with and experience the natural environment. 
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post, including occasional work at weekends and evenings to support Farm events. 

Your skill set 

• Demonstrable and successful experience of working with adults with additional support needs in an outdoor setting. 
• Knowledge of organic horticulture. 
• A good understanding of Safeguarding and Protection of Vulnerable Adults. 
• A proven ability to work flexibly and as part of a team. 
• Good communication skills and ability to communicate in a calm non-confrontational way. 
• Working knowledge of health and safety principles. 
• An understanding of the need to provide a structured and boundary learning and therapeutic space. 

Your approach  

• Commitment to learning new skills.  
• Reflective of your work and a willingness to learn and adapt. 
• Reliable, pro-active, and self-motivated and ability to think creatively. 
• Commitment to inclusion, equality, diversity, and accessibility 
   

Contract type: Permanent (subject to funding) 
Salary: Starting salary £14821 for 21 hours pw. Pro rata £24702 (£13.57 per hr). 
Hours of work: Part-time at 21 hours per week over Monday Tuesday and Wednesday which may include some hours before 9am and after 5.30pm and occasional weekend work. 
Place of work: This role is based at St Werburghs City Farm. 
Annual leave: 25 days holiday per year, plus public holidays, pro rata  
References: All appointments will be confirmed only upon receipt of satisfactory references. 

You will need a clean DBS check to fill this role.