Discovery Course Facilitator
Introduction
Established in 1952, HorseWorld Trust is a registered charity based in Whitchurch, near Bristol, committed to rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-homing horses, ponies and donkeys in need. Our Welfare department provides a home to all our new arrivals, including sick, neglected, and traumatised horses and ponies. We have a team of trained staff committed to their care and rehabilitation and eventual re-homing. HorseWorld also runs a ground-breaking educational programme called Discovery which supports emotional growth and learning in young people through hands-on experience with our rescued horses, ponies, and donkeys.
Discovery is a registered part-time alternative learning provision, which supports children and young people who are at risk of exclusion or who are experiencing life challenges due to social, emotional, mental health (SEMH) or additional learning needs (SEND), registered with HETI and meeting all the standards expected by the local authority.
Discovery’s Equine Assisted Learning courses unite gentle rescued horses with young people who are typically outside of mainstream education or those who face adversity in a formal school setting. Through partnering with our horses to undertake carefully designed activities, at their own pace, in a calm, welcoming environment, Discovery learners (typically aged 6 – 25 years) are supported to develop skills that are transferrable to many areas of their lives such as those of collaboration, reflection, empathy and leadership. Discovery courses build learners’ confidence through discovering what they can achieve and encourage their aspirations to lead meaningful and purposeful lives.
We want to be able to continue to develop our program by offering more FE qualifications to our longer term students in the form of OCN Level 1 Award and Certificate and we also offer OCN L 3 in Equine Assisted Services (EAS) to our facilitators and may be offering this externally in the future
HorseWorld’s Vision A world where horses and people help each other to live and work in harmony.
HorseWorld’s Mission To create a safe community where horses and people connect together and enjoy lifelong learning.
HorseWorld Values Caring - Collaborative - Proactive - Adaptable - Inclusive
Role Profile
Job Title: Discovery Course Facilitator
Job Purpose:
To facilitate and deliver HorseWorld’s Discovery courses. The team runs six-week courses in equine care and confidence-raising sessions for young people, normally between the ages of 6 and 25, with social emotional and mental health issues, physical, and behavioural differences. Courses for groups or individuals take place on either a morning or afternoon on specified dates throughout the year. Participants often have challenges which put them at risk of school exclusion or of dropping out of full-time education completely. Discovery courses aim to help young people learn about themselves through learning about horses, promoting a positive learning environment, encouraging teamwork, co-operation and self-confidence working to identified outcomes from referral paperwork using.
To deliver the OCN Level 1 Award and Certificate to longer term students and The Level 3 OCN EAS to young people and adults.
Reports to: Facilitators manager
Hours: Permanent, 35 hours per week. Normal working days between Monday and Friday between 9:00 am to 4:30 pm as determined by your line manager. Occasional weekend work is also required e.g., to assist with events.
Location: HorseWorld Trust; Keynes Farm, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 0QL there will be some potential offsite work.
Salary: £27,000-£28,000 per annum plus benefits.
Key Tasks
Facilitate the Discovery programme
• Facilitating and assessing future and current training methods and needs to deliver the FE qualifications
• Developing and overseeing the production of resources, instructional materials, aids and manuals
• Directing structured learning experiences and monitoring their results
• Assessing candidate entry level skills, design training materials, quality assure training sessions and evaluate their effectiveness
• Ensuring the planned training programmes stay within budget
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including potential partnerships, external course delivery and board members
• Facilitate and deliver HWD sessions as directed by the Head of Discovery (HoD)
• Planning and preparation of resources to deliver course sessions.
• Working with Equine Ops to ensure that equine needs are met
• Assisting in the course activities as directed by HoD
• Writing reports to schools and referrers at the end of each term
• Working with students with higher level of need to induct and support learning and supporting transition to other facilitators
• Building positive relationships with young people, their parents/carers and referrers, with colleagues and with our Discovery equines
• Correspond positively with clients/referring organisations
• Assisting with Discovery events
• Assisting with Discovery talks to supporters/potential supporters of Discovery both on and off site
• Supervision of all daily duties and tasks in the absence of the line manager
Ensure the effective operation of HorseWorld
• Follow and enforce all HW policies and procedures, ensuring staff are trained and familiar with their individual responsibilities.
• Adhering to HorseWorld’s policies, procedures and performance expectations and upholding the ethos of HorseWorld in all functions of the post.
• Adhering to all statutory health and safety regulations, taking responsibility for health and safety on site for yourself and those around you; ensuring any hazards or problems are reported to your Line Manager; taking responsibility any for clothing, footwear and PPE issued to you.
• Behaving in a polite and acceptable manner to all staff, clients and general public.
• Presenting HorseWorld in a way that is consistent with its work and philosophy.
• Attending and participating in meetings and completing training courses as required.
• Supporting with promotional activities and special events both on and off site e.g., Open Days and Supporter visits.
• Performing any other duties consistent with the role and/or as reasonably required by the role.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential Knowledge
• Knowledge of working with CYP with SEMH, Autism, ACES and or additional learning needs
• Knowledge and experience of working in an FE setting
• Knowledge of health and safety, particularly relating to the supervision of children and working with equines
• Level 3 or equivalent horse handling qualifications
Essential Experience
• Background in the education sector working with primary and/or secondary school age children with relevant knowledge and understanding
• Experience in working in a FE setting
• Recent horse handling experience and up to date equine knowledge
• Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding
• Experience of working with CYP with SEMH, Autism, ACES and or additional learning needs
Desirable
• Understanding of natural horsemanship techniques
• Previous experience of working for an animal charity
• A commitment to ongoing training/professional development
• An understanding of The Thrive Approach and Understanding of behaviours as a communication.
Qualifications and Other Requirements
Essential
• Qualified Level 4 assessor
• Minimum Level 3 diploma in teaching and learning or equivalent youth work qualification
• Minimum of a Level 3 or equivalent Equine skills qualification
• The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check
• Must be flexible with days/hours of work and willing to assist with occasional events, which may involve working outside normal hours. E.g., Open days.
• Commitment to the charity and its aim to provide excellent care to equines in need and promoting emotional growth and learning in children, young people and adults
Desirable
• First Aider
• Up to date Safeguarding training
• Demonstrable experience of GDPR
• Recent training in working with young people with some/all of the following: SEND, Autism, ACES, Attachment needs, Mental Health Challenges
Applications will be welcome from trained EAS facilitators who want to progress a career in HorseWorld or from someone with skills in the education sector who would like to develop their career within equine assisted services. Salary will be based on skills and experience
Why Join Us?
✅ Generous Holidays – 28 days (including bank holidays), increasing with length of service to 36 days (including bank holidays).
📚 Learning & Development – Tailored training through discussion with Line Manager.
💙 Wellbeing Support – Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), Healthcare Cashback scheme, and wellness initiatives.
If you’re passionate about education and making a tangible impact, we’d love to hear from you! Please note that this role is subject to a DBS check, and you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK.
How to Apply
To apply for this role in the first instance, please submit a full CV and covering letter. If you are shortlisted you will be required to complete an application form. We are a Safer Recruitment organisation and this is mandatory.
Applications to be sent to:
Email: Jen.dreux@horseworld.org.uk
Address: Jen Dreux; HorseWorld, Delmar Hall, Keynes Farm, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol BS14 0QL
Closing Date: Applications to be received Friday 9 January 2026