We’re looking for practical, creative and people-focused individuals to join the growing team at Farming Friends.
Our farm-based alternative provision supports children and young people with SEND and SEMH through meaningful, hands-on learning. If you have genuine skills to share, patience, enthusiasm and the ability to build positive relationships with young people, we’d love to hear from you.
We currently have three opportunities available from September 2026 at Brimicroft Farm, between Preston and Blackburn.
Woodwork, Metalwork & Traditional Skills
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
Approx. 15 hours per week
Term time only
Gardening & Outdoor Projects
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
Approx. 15 hours per week
Term time only
Sewing, Making & Textiles
1–2 days per week
Approx. 6 hours per week
Term time only
Can you make, mend, build or fix things – and show someone else how?
We’re looking for somebody with genuine practical skills in areas such as woodwork, metalwork, joinery, fabrication, engineering, mechanics, construction, restoration or traditional crafts.
A key part of the role will be designing and delivering one main practical project each half term – approximately six projects across the academic year. Each six-week block should give young people the opportunity to develop real skills and work towards a finished outcome they can be proud of.
Could you help us grow something special?
We’re looking for a creative, practical and people-focused person to take ownership of horticulture and outdoor learning within Farming Friends.
You’ll plan and independently deliver engaging projects that use gardening, growing and the outdoors to develop confidence, practical skills and learning in a way that feels purposeful and enjoyable.
Can you sew, make and create – and pass those skills on?
We’re looking for somebody with genuine sewing and textile skills who can introduce young people to making, repairing and creating things properly.
The aim is simple: one half term, one project, something to be proud of. Around six projects would be delivered across the academic year, allowing young people to experience the whole process from initial idea through to a finished piece.
Experience working with children or young people with SEND is highly advantageous.
Farming Friends is a farm-based alternative provision supporting a broad age range of children and young people, including learners with Autism, ADHD, PDA profiles, EBSA and other SEND and SEMH needs.
We use animals, horticulture, cooking, making and practical activities to help young people engage with learning differently. This isn’t about recreating a classroom on a farm. Connection comes first.
We’re looking for people who will become consistent and valued members of Farming Friends, build genuine relationships with our young people and help shape our provision as it continues to grow.
For the right people there is potential for additional hours, greater responsibility and longer-term opportunities in the future.
Working hours are not expected to consist entirely of face-to-face delivery. Appropriate time is built into each role for planning, preparing resources, setting up, completing relevant risk assessments, recording progress and developing future projects.
We don’t expect staff to finish their sessions and then spend their evenings planning and completing paperwork at home.
Resources and agreed project budgets will be provided.
The safety and wellbeing of our young people comes first.
Appointments will be subject to appropriate safer-recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS and relevant Children’s Barred List check where legally applicable, satisfactory references, identity and right-to-work checks and verification of relevant qualifications.
Applicants should hold current Safeguarding and Child Protection training or be willing to complete the required training before commencing work. SEND-specific safeguarding knowledge or training is highly advantageous.
The successful applicant will be responsible for the cost of their required DBS check.
You’re patient when somebody doesn’t understand something the first time.
You enjoy passing your skills on rather than simply doing the job yourself.
You understand that progress can look completely different for every young person.
And you get genuine satisfaction from hearing somebody who started with “I can’t do this” eventually say:
“Look what I’ve made.”
Send your CV and something telling us why you think you would fit Farming Friends, the skills you could bring and the role you’re interested in.
That can be a traditional application letter, an email or another format that feels more natural to you. For our practical and creative roles, you’re also welcome to include examples or photographs of things you’ve made.
Don’t worry if your career doesn’t fit neatly into a conventional education-job application. We want to know what you can do, what you could teach and what you could bring to our young people.
