Job summary
Due to retirement, New Leaf Vocational Rehabilitation Services have a vacancy for a Horticultural Support Worker to join our fantastic Nursery Team at our 35 acre semi rural site on the edge of Exminster.
As a Horticultural Support Worker, you will be responsible for supporting the Nursery team with the daily operations in our commercial plant nursery where we support people with a range of mental health challenges to grow confidence and skills as part of their recovery and in their next steps towards employment.
We have a large site where we grow high quality seasonal plants, an orchard where we harvest the crop to create our own apple juice and a new kitchen garden area.
You will work alongside staff, clients, students and volunteers to help us grow plants and people in this unique setting and therefore need to have a positive, cheerful disposition and a can do attitude.
Applicants need to be physically strong and fit and hold a current driving license as they will be required to lead on plant deliveries to our customers.
You may be asked to support our Woodworks and Catering departments on occasions so having a flexible disposition and willingness to learn are important elements of this role.
Experience / Qualifications in Horticulture are essential.
If you are a good communicator and practical team player who can also help people grow in their recovery journey we would welcome your application.
- Interview date is scheduled for 21st March 2024
Main duties of the job
The main duties of the role include plant maintenance, filling of pots, propagation from seed, growing on plants from plugs and ensuring good housekeeping throughout the nursery to ensure we maintain excellent quality to support our reputation.
There is a requirement to support some site maintenance as required such as assisting in cleaning down the nursery, replacing floor coverings in the polytunnels and carrying out minor repairs.
We have a strong focus on health and safety on site and as part of your role, you would need to have awareness of working safely.
You will also need to be able to drive our tractor and trailer when moving stock around the site and lead on delivering orders to our customers.
You will work alongside our clients and under the support of our Technical Instructors, will assist people to develop confidence and skills to support their recovery.
No day is the same at New Leaf so there is always something different to do, working in this flexible, busy team.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
The horticultural support worker will support the
full range of activities on our commercial nursery. The role supports the
provision of vocational rehabilitation for people attending the service and
supports our technical instructors in providing good vocational opportunities.
The support worker will also provide individual support to service users
requiring additional assistance whilst at New Leaf. The role may on occasion
require the support worker to provide cover in other departments at New Leaf or
in the absence of Technical Instructors. The support worker will also undertake
some independent horticultural activates as part of the day to day process
within the nursery and New Leaf site. Some seasonal activities may involve
limited weekend hours and driving a van for deliveries.
Duties and Responsibilities
Communication & Working Relationships
-
Work closely with the New Leaf team and cover
elements of others work as agreed.
-
Liaise regularly with Technical Instructors and
members of VRS staff team as appropriate.
-
Liaise with and maintain links with other supporting
organisations.
Planning & Organisation
-
Manage own diary prioritising time to ensure all work
commitments are met.
-
Support service users to plan and organise their
travel arrangements.
-
Support the New Leaf team in planning and delivering
day to day vocational opportunities on the nursery.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment & Therapy
-
To enable where identified as part of individual
vocational care plans] service users to become independent in their travel to
and from New Leaf.
-
To assist service users in their vocational
rehabilitation by working within different departments with all vocational
rehabilitation (VR) staff.
-
To assist service users in gaining work related
skills as part of the rehabilitation journey.
-
To work within Trust Values, maintaining professional
relationships with service users and Vocational Rehabilitation staff and
maintaining confidentiality at all times.
-
To be able to assist and support service users who
have additional difficulties.
-
To support service users [on occasion] in visiting
other providers as part of the vocational pathway moving on from New Leaf.
Policy, Service, Research & Development Responsibility
-
Using the Trusts compulsory and essential training
requirements, ensure own training courses and knowledge are kept up to date.
-
To be involved in development of vocational
rehabilitation services as agreed with the Manager.
-
To comply with all Trust policies and procedures.
-
To attend service development team days.
-
To attend regular staff /clinical team meetings.
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources
-
To ensure own safe working practice at all times.
-
To work in line with current Health & Safety
legislation.
-
Mobility throughout the service.
Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership & Management
- To supervise and assist
service users in carrying out a variety of tasks on the horticultural nursery
and within different departments offering vocational opportunities.
Information Resources & Administrative Duties
-
Maintain up to date and accurate reports of service
user information, outcomes and any other information needed for the ongoing
evaluation of the service.
-
Regularly use IT systems for inputting of data, email
and word processing.
Any Other Specific Tasks Required
-
To have regular supervision of work from the
Vocational Services Manager or deputised staff.
-
To have yearly personal development and six monthly
review meetings.
-
To be able to work flexibly as required in support of
Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
-
To be available to drive a van and make local
deliveries of plants and produce.
-
To be available to undertake limited seasonal weekend
hours.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
The horticultural support worker will support the
full range of activities on our commercial nursery. The role supports the
provision of vocational rehabilitation for people attending the service and
supports our technical instructors in providing good vocational opportunities.
The support worker will also provide individual support to service users
requiring additional assistance whilst at New Leaf. The role may on occasion
require the support worker to provide cover in other departments at New Leaf or
in the absence of Technical Instructors. The support worker will also undertake
some independent horticultural activates as part of the day to day process
within the nursery and New Leaf site. Some seasonal activities may involve
limited weekend hours and driving a van for deliveries.
Duties and Responsibilities
Communication & Working Relationships
-
Work closely with the New Leaf team and cover
elements of others work as agreed.
-
Liaise regularly with Technical Instructors and
members of VRS staff team as appropriate.
-
Liaise with and maintain links with other supporting
organisations.
Planning & Organisation
-
Manage own diary prioritising time to ensure all work
commitments are met.
-
Support service users to plan and organise their
travel arrangements.
-
Support the New Leaf team in planning and delivering
day to day vocational opportunities on the nursery.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment & Therapy
-
To enable where identified as part of individual
vocational care plans] service users to become independent in their travel to
and from New Leaf.
-
To assist service users in their vocational
rehabilitation by working within different departments with all vocational
rehabilitation (VR) staff.
-
To assist service users in gaining work related
skills as part of the rehabilitation journey.
-
To work within Trust Values, maintaining professional
relationships with service users and Vocational Rehabilitation staff and
maintaining confidentiality at all times.
-
To be able to assist and support service users who
have additional difficulties.
-
To support service users [on occasion] in visiting
other providers as part of the vocational pathway moving on from New Leaf.
Policy, Service, Research & Development Responsibility
-
Using the Trusts compulsory and essential training
requirements, ensure own training courses and knowledge are kept up to date.
-
To be involved in development of vocational
rehabilitation services as agreed with the Manager.
-
To comply with all Trust policies and procedures.
-
To attend service development team days.
-
To attend regular staff /clinical team meetings.
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources
-
To ensure own safe working practice at all times.
-
To work in line with current Health & Safety
legislation.
-
Mobility throughout the service.
Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership & Management
- To supervise and assist
service users in carrying out a variety of tasks on the horticultural nursery
and within different departments offering vocational opportunities.
Information Resources & Administrative Duties
-
Maintain up to date and accurate reports of service
user information, outcomes and any other information needed for the ongoing
evaluation of the service.
-
Regularly use IT systems for inputting of data, email
and word processing.
Any Other Specific Tasks Required
-
To have regular supervision of work from the
Vocational Services Manager or deputised staff.
-
To have yearly personal development and six monthly
review meetings.
-
To be able to work flexibly as required in support of
Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
-
To be available to drive a van and make local
deliveries of plants and produce.
-
To be available to undertake limited seasonal weekend
hours.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidenced of good standard of general education/qualification e.g. CSE, O level GCSE
- Recognised qualification in horticulture or equivalent knowledge and experience
- To complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment unless already obtained or evidence of equivalent agreed and signed off by the appointing manager at interview. If not, this will be a trainee position until successful completion
Experience
Essential
- Experience of horticulture practice.
Desirable
- Experience of working with people who have mental health issues or other vulnerabilities
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Awareness of mental health issues.
- Good communication and listening skills that demonstrate empathy, Respect for the individual and professionalism within vocational rehabilitation services.
- To be able to recognise service users abilities and support weaknesses within a given task.
- To be able to organise the planned tasks for service users within a department, with or without the presence of the Technical Instructor.
- To take leadership and direction from qualified staff.
- To use regular, reliable method of transport.
- Hold a valid driving licence.
- To be maintain confidentiality, empathy, compassion and patience, towards individuals with mental health illness.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidenced of good standard of general education/qualification e.g. CSE, O level GCSE
- Recognised qualification in horticulture or equivalent knowledge and experience
- To complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment unless already obtained or evidence of equivalent agreed and signed off by the appointing manager at interview. If not, this will be a trainee position until successful completion
Experience
Essential
- Experience of horticulture practice.
Desirable
- Experience of working with people who have mental health issues or other vulnerabilities
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Awareness of mental health issues.
- Good communication and listening skills that demonstrate empathy, Respect for the individual and professionalism within vocational rehabilitation services.
- To be able to recognise service users abilities and support weaknesses within a given task.
- To be able to organise the planned tasks for service users within a department, with or without the presence of the Technical Instructor.
- To take leadership and direction from qualified staff.
- To use regular, reliable method of transport.
- Hold a valid driving licence.
- To be maintain confidentiality, empathy, compassion and patience, towards individuals with mental health illness.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
