PENNYHOOKS FARM TRUST
Support Worker / SEN Teaching Assistant
Oxfordshire/Swindon border
Full-time | Permanent | On-site
Salary: £26,390 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Annual leave: 28 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
Pension: Auto-enrolment pension scheme
DBS: Enhanced DBS required
Make a difference every day
Are you looking for a practical, hands-on role supporting others to learn and grow?
Pennyhooks Farm Trust is looking for a dedicated Support Worker / SEN Teaching Assistant to provide one-to-one support to an autistic adult as they take part in the daily working life of our organic farm.
This is an opportunity to join a small, supportive charity where your work will make a clear and positive difference every day.
About the Role
You will support an autistic adult to engage fully in structured, work-based activities on the farm, helping them to build skills, confidence and independence.
Activities include animal care, gardening, conservation work, rural crafts, woodwork and baking. You will play an important role in enabling participation, supporting wellbeing, and helping the individuals progress in a way that is tailored to their needs.
This is a physically active, hands-on role. It involves outdoor work throughout the year in all weather conditions , so applicants should be comfortable with the practical demands of farm life.
You will also be responsible for recording progress and responding flexibly to the individual’s needs throughout the day.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide one-to-one support across all farm-based activities
- Enable participation in practical tasks such as animal care, horticulture and workshop activities
- Support the individual’s safety, wellbeing and personal care where needed
- Maintain accurate records of progress for accreditation purposes
- Adapt support approaches in response to changing needs
- Work closely with colleagues as part of a small, collaborative team
About You
Essential:
- Experience supporting autistic people or individuals with complex needs
- A calm, patient and positive approach
- A genuine commitment to person-centred support
- Good communication and teamwork skills
- Flexibility and willingness to learn
- A practical approach and willingness to take part in physically active outdoor work
- Willingness to undergo an Enhanced DBS check
Desirable:
- SEN or teaching assistant experience
- An interest in farming, animals or outdoor work
About Us
Pennyhooks Farm Trust is a small educational charity based on a working organic farm.
We provide structured, long-term work-based opportunities for autistic adults with complex needs. Our farm includes a herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle, as well as donkeys, goats, hens, gardens and workshops, all providing a rich, purposeful environment for learning and development.
Many of our students are non-speaking and may be especially sensitive to noise, light and social expectations. To support students effectively we use an approach which attends to these differences and we call this ‘The Pennyhooks Approach’. Using this approach we provide specialised, step-by-step, work-based training with 1:1 support from experienced staff.
Additional Information
- This is a fully on-site role in a rural location, so own transport will be required
- Annual leave entitlement is 28 days inclusive of bank holidays
- Four weeks of annual leave must be taken at set times when the farm is closed, usually at the end of each term
Safeguarding and Inclusion
Pennyhooks Farm Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults.
The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check, provide satisfactory references, and evidence their right to work in the UK.
We aim to ensure our recruitment process is accessible. Please let us know if you require any adjustments.
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a short covering letter by clicking “Fast Apply” now!
Closing date: 24 July 2026
Interviews: mid August
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