Learning Mentor at Future Roots Ltd

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About The Role

Learning Mentor, specialising in practical activities

Temporary contract. Two years initially. Term time only, 39 weeks of the year

A degree of flexibility over the hours may be possible for the right candidate

35 hours a week. Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm. The role is term time only.

Supervision meetings and team meetings may be planned to occur outside of these times or during school holidays. Occasional holiday work may be offered.

Based on a care farm in rural West Dorset, Future Roots is a long and well established provider of complimentary education and re-engagement services for children and young people. Working with schools and local authority children's services we use a farm environment and our animals to offer young people learning and therapeutic experiences to help them overcome trauma and challenges.

We are now looking for someone to join our team who can bring demonstrable skill and experience from a background of working with children and young people, and who has an affinity with the outdoor environment and animals.

• for further information about the role contact Julie Plumley, Director Future Roots, on 01963 210703 or via email: [email protected]

Please visit our website www.futureroots.net to see the full range of what we do.

Closing date: 9:00am Monday 30 September

Further Information

Main purpose of the role:

1. to engage with young people, usually in a small group setting and build effective, developmental relationships that will increase resilience and emotional wellbeing

2. plan and implement Future Roots' group work programmes on the farm using the outdoors and animals to build resilience, personal responsibility and qualities and employability skills

3. planning will include delivering accredited qualification opportunities and/or therapeutic activities as well as appropriate programmes to meet individual need

4. lead on practical opportunities eg woodwork, fencing for animal pens, hedge laying as part of the opportunities for our young people

Responsible for:

• the planning and delivery of therapeutic, learning and mentoring sessions to small groups of young people aged between 8 and 18 years
• to help and support young people to learn new skills and develop qualities that will improve future prospects
• the sessions will provide creative learning and development opportunities to engage young people who struggle with educational and social aspects of their life
• using our farm environment and all our facilities including our countrymen's barn for woodwork and other practical learning opportunities, alongside animal care and farming
• working as a team and supporting any young person individually on a 1:1 when required
• supporting young people to gain qualifications
• recording session notes, report writing attending review meetings as required
• responding and dealing appropriately with safeguarding issues and welfare concerns

About Us

Future Roots is a social enterprise that is based on a small care farm, approx 30 acres, near Sherborne.

We started in 2006 as Farming for Life and registered our enterprise in 2008 as Future Roots. We've now been supporting young people for over a decade and hope to continue for many years to come.

Future Roots was the vision of our founder, Julie Plumley. Julie's a Dorset farmer's daughter, but went on to have a long career in social work. Future Roots combines the best of both worlds.

Why we are called Future Roots, it is all in a name.

The name 'Future Roots' originated as we want the people who need us to feel that their 'Future' prospects are better because of what we offer. This might be happiness and wellbeing or improved resilience giving the ability to cope with a personal situation. It might be about gaining qualifications and having better job prospects. Each of the above leads to hope that their 'Future' will be better than they had previously thought and a belief they can achieve.

'Roots' came from knowing that everyone needs 'Roots' to provide the key nutrients to strengthen and grow. 'Roots' are also a stretchable anchor, being a safe and secure place to return that will ground you when you feel lost. Our aim is to provide stability and direction through any tough times for young people and their families.

Future Roots, provides a safe space, support and mentoring, qualifications eg functional skills in English and Maths, land-based qualifications, as well as therapeutic opportunities for young people up to 25 to develop confidence, resilience and skills to give hope which will improve their mental health and future prospects to live a healthy and positive life using a countryside and farm environment with access to experienced mentors.