About the role
A nurturing SEMH secondary school in Grantham is seeking a dedicated Animal Care Assistant to support students who have social, emotional and mental health needs. The school focuses on core academic subjects as well as building independence and practical life skills. This role combines hands‑on animal care with therapeutic, trauma‑informed support for young people. This is a full‑time role to start after Easter with the potential to extend into the new academic year.
Key Responsibilities
* Support practical animal care sessions by working alongside teaching staff to guide students through tasks such as feeding, grooming, cleaning enclosures and completing basic health checks. Break activities into clear, manageable steps to help students access learning at their own pace.
* Use trauma‑informed approaches to build routine, structure and emotional safety during animal care activities. This may include modelling calm behaviour, using visual prompts, offering predictable routines and incorporating sensory‑regulating tasks.
* Promote positive behaviour and emotional regulation by encouraging students to engage appropriately with the animals, supporting them through moments of frustration or anxiety, and using restorative strategies to re‑engage them when needed.
* Reinforce learning and life skills, such as responsibility, teamwork, communication and problem‑solving, helping students link these skills to their wider personal development.
* Work collaboratively with teachers, pastoral staff and behaviour specialists to ensure each student can participate safely and confidently in animal‑based sessions.
Pre‑requisites
* Experience working with children or young people, ideally in settings such as schools, alternative provisions, PRUs, youth work, farm or animal‑based education, or therapeutic/ outdoor learning environments.
* Understanding of SEMH needs and how these may influence behaviour, confidence and engagement. You should be able to respond calmly and consistently, using trauma‑informed and relationship‑based practices.
* Confidence in delivering structured, practical activities, including demonstrating tasks clearly, supporting students step‑by‑step, and maintaining a safe, engaging learning environment.
* Relevant qualifications such as Level 2 Teaching Assistant, Animal Care, Youth Work, or equivalent experience.
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