Stables Practitioner

Hours: Part time or full time up to 35 hours per week – worked flexibly during the week and weekends, dependent on service needs.

Contract: Permanent

What Norwood offers:

• Workplace Pension Scheme: Plan for your future with confidence.
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (FTE): For a well-earned rest.
• Employee Assistance Programme: We care about your well-being.
• £300 When You Introduce a Friend: Spread the word and reap the rewards.
• Access to ‘Blue Light’ discount scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free Eye test & Eyewear allowance

About Norwood:

Norwood is a Jewish charity that supports and empowers neurodiverse children, their families, and people with neurodevelopmental disabilities to live their best lives. For more than 225 years, Norwood has provided a lifeline to the children, adults, and families we support, and is an important part of the Jewish community we serve. The reason we have been so successful in doing so is due to the passion and dedication of those who work here, which is critical to everything we do.

About the role:

You'll work closely with the Stables Lead, Complementary Services Team, and in conjunction with other professionals as required, to deliver equine activities within the RDA policies, procedures, and governance, in response to the needs of the people using our service. This includes:

• Leading 1-2-1 and group equine activity sessions in line with the planned programme, in agreement with and as directed by your line manager.
• Increasing engagement and participation in equine sessions, working creatively where required to deliver high session standards and enhance the quality of life of the people we support.
• Deliver equine sessions within our facilities for the people we support and external individuals or groups.
• Support the Stables Lead to generate income through delivering equine activities to internal and external people with a disability or long-term health condition.
• Prepare the facilities as fit for purpose by setting up equipment, ensuring facilities and equipment are safe to use, and maintaining cleanliness before and after use as according to RDA policies and procedures.
• Monitor and review the progress of equine sessions for groups and individuals along with the production and distribution of individual achievement reports for the people we support, and any other reporting as and when requested by management.
• Deliver programmes and encourage participation for those with a disability or long-term health conditions as individuals or from external organisations.
• Provide and maintain risk assessments for each area of engagement with the people we support and ensure health and safety checks are carried out before and during delivery in conjunction with Norwood and RDA policies.
• Take all reasonable care of your health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions and ensure you are fit to support the delivery of the service in line with the General Social Care Council Code of Practice, Local Authority Contracts, and Norwood Policies and procedures.
• Work within the quality assurance framework ensuring that services delivered meet the standards required by Norwood, external regulation, and Health and Safety protocols.

Minimum Requirements:

• Experience working with adults who have neurodivergent disabilities in a health or social care setting.
• Knowledge of horse care and exercise requirements to maintain fitness and horse wellbeing.
• Good literacy, numeracy, and ICT skills - grade C or above in GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.
• Excellent interpersonal, social, and communication skills.
• Basic horse care and management.
• Positive attitude towards disability and the benefits of the development of the people we support.
• Able to work cooperatively and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team.
• An understanding and commitment to Equal Opportunities.
• The ability to work methodically and plan time effectively.
• Willingness to undertake further training and achieve qualifications as required.
• A high level of commitment and enthusiasm.
• Able and willing to be flexible in approach to work and responsive to changing demands of the organisation and service users.
• Willingness to work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends.
• Knowledge of safe and effective manual handling practices.
• Valid First Aid Certificate.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety within a stable environment.

If you are interested in this role, please apply and our Recruitment Team will be in touch.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Due to the high number of candidates who apply to our roles at Norwood, please note we can only provide feedback following an interview, if shortlisted.

We actively celebrate everyone's different abilities, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith, and gender. Everyone is welcome and supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us.

We are a kind and compassionate community. Empowerment and respect are at the heart of everything we do and believe in at Norwood.

If you are positive and resilient and a force for good, we are for you!

We strive for excellence and to make a real difference in the lives of the people we support. Our team is one of our biggest assets.

We nurture a supportive environment for our people, with tailored training and career development at all levels.