Animal Care Technician

• Annual Salary: £24,000
• Daily Rate: £115 to £120 per day
• Location: Rural Horsham, West Sussex
• Job Type: Full-time - maternity cover - including weekend and school holiday work
• Start Date: Immediate

Day-to-day of the role:

• Maintain a clean and safe environment for the animals, pupils, and visitors at the school's small holding.
• Ensure therapy animals are well-trained, healthy, and suitable for interaction.
• Responsible for the feeding, grooming, and general welfare of chickens, goats, pigs, and donkeys.
• Conduct therapeutic sessions with animals to meet specific therapeutic goals for nominated pupils, documenting progress and adjusting sessions as necessary.
• Educate pupils and families on the benefits and responsibilities of animal-assisted therapy.
• Manage the diary for animal welfare, including scheduling inoculations and other routine care.
• Participate in community outreach programs to promote the benefits of animal-assisted therapy.
• Handle administrative tasks related to animal care and therapy sessions.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience working with animals, either professionally or personally.
• A passion for animal care and a love for working with animals.
• Experience supporting children and/or adults with learning difficulties, neurodivergence, or other challenges.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Good listening skills with the ability to show empathy and adapt communication style to meet individual student needs.

Attributes/Competencies:

• Self-motivated and resilient.
• Adaptable and reliable.
• Conscientious with a strong sense of duty.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work in a fulfilling role directly impacting student well-being.
• Engage with a variety of animals in a therapeutic setting.
• Be part of a supportive team dedicated to education and therapy.
• Continuous professional development and training.

To apply for the Animal Practitioner position, please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in this role. We look forward to learning how you can contribute to our mission of enhancing student well-being through animal-assisted therapy.