Animal Care Teaching Assistant

Lufton College is a 52-week residential specialist college providing quality care and education for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 with a diagnosis of autism, or whose difficulties place them on the autistic continuum. Our students often have complex needs, associated learning difficulties and behaviours of concern. Our curriculum has been devised to prepare our students for adulthood and to equip them with the skills and knowledge to achieve their personal best. This is delivered in a variety of settings, including within students homes, vocational placements both internally and externally. As well as learning within the classrooms, our young people take part in various outdoor activities such as animal therapy and various activities based around nature throughout the college sites. Cambian Lufton College is situated across several sites which include Lufton Manor, Manor Farm and community houses. Together, these services access facilities based across a 30 acre rural campus located on the outskirts of Yeovil, Somerset. The College provides bespoke residential and day placements to our young people to prepare them for adult life within our rural and peaceful setting. Purpose and Summary of the Job The intent of the curriculum at Lufton College is to prepare our students for adulthood by developing independence, supporting inclusion within communities and providing vocational pathways to employment. Where appropriate, this is underpinned by an accredited learning outcome, depending on the students' need, ability and aspirations. This role is intended to support the delivery of the Animal Care curriculum, including in-session support for horticulture and animal care sessions. Teaching Assistants are required to support the Tutor in planning, delivery and assessment of learning, including feeding back regarding the progress and achievement of students. With the Animal Care Teaching Assistant role, there is an expectation of working 2 out of 4 weekends each month with time off during the week. This is essential as part of the role and the role holder will be responsible for health and welfare checks and to feed and clean the animals on a rota basis. This will also include working during college holidays with the ability to condense hours or take leave during term time to compensate. Main Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of Animal care sessions, including carrying out regular horticultural tasks, maintaining growing areas and supporting students to undertake a range of practical Animal Care tasks.
• Contribute to the maintenance and support of the Animal Care areas across the college, including seasonal tasks such as planting, growing and harvesting produce.
• Work collaboratively with the Tutor to plan, delivery and assess learning, using appropriate resources and activities.
• Use a variety of teaching approaches and activities to develop students' learning through planned intervention and independent learning opportunities both within the college environment and more inclusive community contexts.
• Maintain effective relationships with parents/carers to promote students' learning and provide information to parents about targets, achievements and progress. Also establish constructive relationships with students and interact with them according to their individual needs.
Support for the Tutor
• Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly and supportive environment, in accordance with session plans.
• Assist with the planning and assessment of learning activities.
• Monitor student's responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement/progress as directed.
• Provide detailed and regular feedback to Tutors on student's achievement, progress, problems etc.
• Provide clerical/administrative and housekeeping support such as photocopying and filing as appropriate.
  
  Qualifications in Maths and English (Essential)
• Relevant qualification in Education and Training or Landbased vocational areas e.g. Horticulture (Desirable)
No previous experience is necessary but a passion and commitment to gain the required skills, knowledge and experience is vital. Experience of working with young people or adults with learning disabilities or challenging behaviour and/or a positive behaviour support model is desirable.