Join us at Full Circle Farms: We are recruiting

We are currently recruiting for Growers and farm hand roles.

Due to the ongoing success of Full Circle Farms Sussex ltd and our expanding operation we are currently recruiting for new roles. So if you are keen to work with a growing business, working with world-class chefs and supporting diverse groups of people to experience horticulture pleas get in touch.

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Job description

If you love gardening and appreciate the therapeutic and mental health benefits it can bring, a career as a horticultural therapist at Full circle Farms would suit you

As a horticultural therapist, generally you'll use gardening, plants and horticulture to help individuals develop.

You'll work with a range of people who are disabled or disadvantaged by age, circumstance or ability. Our clients may include those recovering from illness, people with learning and behavioural difficulties and people with mental health issues, such as depression or dementia.

Horticultural therapists work with clients to promote health and well-being. Through individually-tailored STH programmes and with caring and observant encouragement, you'll help clients develop across physical, cognitive, social and emotional spectrums.

Horticultural therapy is used in social, vocational and therapy programmes, providing outdoor activity and physical exercise in a supportive atmosphere.

Additionally, horticultural therapy makes use of the passive qualities of nature to provide levels of sensory stimulus and impact that help towards achieving positive outcomes.

Horticultural therapy is an emerging profession that forms a large and culturally significant part of green care, the conceptual framework of using other natural mediums for therapy, such as care farming and ecotherapy.Is something that we can offer our clients too due to our small groups of animals we keep .

Responsibilities

As a horticultural therapist, you will work with small groups of people or with individuals on a one-to-one basis. Typically, you'll spend three hours planning and evaluating work, and five hours working directly with clients to enable them to access horticulture as a therapeutic medium.

Tasks include:

  • liaising with external statutory and voluntary services to provide a multidisciplinary, person-centred approach;

  • using assessment methods and outcome measurement in order to record, monitor and evaluate individual achievements, which may include making initial assessments, planning daily tasks and supporting individuals, often using a diary system;

  • carrying out regular one-to-one appraisals, updates and reviews;

  • maintaining daily records, including job sheets, time sheets and individual portfolios of evidence of work;

  • advising on equipment and techniques to enable disabled people to access horticulture;

  • designing and implementing person-centred horticultural programmes for people of all ages with disabilities;

  • ensuring activities match the content of nationally-recognised awards;

  • planning each day's work with individuals;

  • setting tasks according to the physical and mental needs and abilities of individuals;

  • teaching individuals horticultural tasks such as sowing seeds, setting out plants, planting out, lawn mowing, soil preparation and pruning;

  • educating clients to use tools and materials safely;

  • helping individuals record their activities and achievements by writing simple summaries or drawing pictures;

  • interacting with individuals to develop confidence and self-esteem through their work;

  • assisting individuals to improve their social and practical horticulture skills;

  • encouraging individuals to gain pleasure from land use;

  • closely observing individuals to monitor their progress;

  • assessing the effectiveness of individual programmes;

  • adjusting activities to make them more effective;

  • taking part in discussions with other professionals, such as social workers and psychologists;

  • carrying out research on the effectiveness of horticultural therapy, often in cooperation with academics;

  • managing staff and volunteers;

  • devising and coordinating activity programmes and monitoring budgets;

  • raising funds and drawing up detailed proposals for developing projects;

  • promoting gardening and horticulture to the general public.

Salary

  • Starting salaries are in the region of £17,000 to £20,000.

  • Salaries at senior level/with experience, possibly with line-management responsibilities, can range from £22,000 to £30,000.

Working hours

Working hours occasionally include regular extra hours. Some weekend or evening work may be expected. Part-time work and career breaks will also be considered.

What to expect

  • Therapists work mainly in gardens and associated outbuildings.

  • Self-employment and freelance work is sometimes possible but is generally limited.

  • The dress code is generally a company T-shirt and jumper as you need to work outdoors. A warm jacket is also supplied .As well as all PPE required for each task.

  • The role usually forms part of a multidisciplinary care team or involves working collaboratively with other stakeholders. The work can be emotionally stressful but also very rewarding. 

  • Travel within a working day is occasional required in order to collect some of our clients from other schools.

Qualifications

Although this role is open to all graduates, the following degree and HND subjects are preferred;

  • botany/plant science;

  • education;

  • horticulture;

  • landscape architecture/design;

  • occupational therapy;

  • social work or psychology.


We are looking for multi-skilled professionals, who have a combination of experience and a formal qualification.

For the right candidate a range of courses, from the one-day workshop, to longer, accredited courses leading to a professional qualification.

Due to the nature of our work all candidates will need to pass Disclosures and Barring Service check 

Skills

You need to have:

  • a strong interest in and aptitude for horticulture;

  • excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

  • patience, understanding, tolerance and the ability to work with a range of people;

  • the ability to motivate and encourage others;

  • the ability to use your initiative and work independently.

Location

Sussex ,London ,Kent

Apply Now

Please email a full Cv and cover letter to Tom Morphew 

tom@fullcirclefarmssussex.co.uk

Tom Morphew