General Assistant

General Assistant – Farms for City Children

Location: Gloucestershire 
Salary: £12,494.40 per annum (20,824 per annum pro rata)
Contract: Part time - 21 hours (0.6 FTE) Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 
Fixed term - 10 months (July 2024 to May 2025)

An exciting new opportunity has arisen for a part time General Assistant to join our amazing charity, which exists to remove the barriers that prevent children and young people having meaningful access to the natural world. Through a week on one of our three heritage farms, Nethercott House in Devon, Lower Treginnis in Pembrokeshire and Wick Court in Gloucestershire, children and young people experience increased learning and engagement, improved connections and wellbeing and leave us with enhanced environmental citizenship. Visiting children are immersed in the natural world of countryside through a food and farming offer that allows them to participate in the seasonal tasks of the day: sowing, growingand harvesting in our kitchen gardens; caring for livestock and looking after the land; and cooking up a home-grown feast in the farmhouse kitchen. Spending time working alongside real farmers fosters children’s independence and helps them to grow in confidence, develops their self-esteem, and encourages them to become more resilient. In partnership with our commercial farming neighbours, children experience the benefits of collaboration, enjoy plenty of physical activity, good food, and fresh air, and discover the magical rural environment that is full of new words, sounds and experiences to inspire their creativity.

About the Role

The General Assistant supports the efficient running of a large residential accommodation for groups of up to 36 children and their accompanying adults. As an important part of the team, the person in this role will work closely with the Office Manager, Housekeeper and Kitchen Manager to ensure the needs of resident groups are met and that the highest standards of health and safety, hygiene and cleanliness are maintained. This role will have regular and direct contact with our visiting children and adults and includes an opportunity to develop the skills required to work with groups out on the farm, with a key role supporting their learning and maintaining a warm and friendly relationship throughout their stay.

This position is a farm-based role which will require only very occasional travel within the Charity’s regions in order to attend training or meetings, normally at one of our other farms in Devon or Pembrokeshire.

Appointments will not be confirmed until the Charity has received two satisfactory professional references, evidence of the existing proof of right to work in the UK, and a satisfactory DBS check. Referees will not be contacted without candidates’ prior consent.

Farms for City Children is, and must be, unconditionally committed to safeguarding best practice and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Consequently, successful candidates will be subject to a Social Media check and a DBS check at the appropriate level. Employment with the Charity is conditional upon the Charity being satisfied with the result of the DBS Check. Successful candidates will be asked to complete a self-declaration related to their criminal record or any information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. If you have lived or worked outside of the UK, additional information may be required from you to satisfy safer recruitment checks. Any criminal records information that is disclosed to the Charity will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or code of practice published by the DBS. 

Farms for City Children is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity and supports and encourages under-represented groups. We seek people from a wide range of backgrounds, with diverse lived experience, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

What we Offer

In return you will receive a starting salary of £12,494.40 per annum (20,824 per annum pro rata) and a range of benefits, which include:

• 33 days holiday per annum inclusive of bank holidays (pro rata)
• 6% employer contribution to NEST pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

How to Apply

Deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 20th May

To apply please download and fill out our application form, once completed send to recruitment@farmsforcitychildren.org. You may also wish to complete and return our equal opportunities monitoring form. 

We are unable to accept just cover letters and CVs.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE – DIRECT RECRUITMENT ONLY