Watchtree Nature Reserve | Education and Wellbeing Team Leader

Education and Wellbeing Team Leader

This role is partially funded by the Ernest Cook Trust

At Watchtree, Education and Wellbeing aren’t just priorities – they’re at the heart of everything we do.

We believe that connecting people with nature is essential for learning, growth, and mental health. Our mission is to use our incredible outdoor spaces to inspire a wide audience – children, young people, and adults – to understand and protect the natural environment

Role Purpose

The Education and Wellbeing Team Leader will design and deliver programs that utilise Watchtree’s unique outdoor environment to promote learning, personal development, and wellbeing for children, young people, and adults. Our services emphasise inclusive practice, particularly for individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), those Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), young people, and individuals facing mental health challenges.

This role includes leading the recruitment, coordination, and motivation of our dedicated Education Team, currently comprising four part-time instructors and six volunteers with diverse skills and interests. We also collaborate with external practitioners, such as Forest School leaders and wellbeing specialists. While most activities take place in our woodland Education Zone, we utilise the entire 205-acre reserve, including the Watchtree Wheelers project and hands-on conservation work.

The post holder will also oversee seasonal and holiday programs, including commercial kids’ clubs, targeted short breaks, and Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) sessions, ensuring all offerings are engaging, safe, and accessible.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Development & Delivery

Create and lead outdoor education and wellbeing sessions tailored to diverse needs, including Youth SEND and NEET groups.
Develop nature-based activities that promote mental health, resilience, and social inclusion for adults from a variety of backgrounds.
Plan and deliver summer holiday programs, including kids’ club sessions, targeted short breaks, and HAF-funded activities.
Ensure all programs align with Watchtree’s Strategy Plan

Team Leadership & Coordination

Supervise and support education and wellbeing staff and volunteers.
Coordinate bookings, practitioners and resources to ensure we deliver the best service to each recipient.
Manage team training to maintain high-quality delivery.
Foster a positive, inclusive, and safe environment for participants and team members.
Work alongside other Reserve Team Leaders to knit together education and wellbeing with conservation, habitats, wheelers and events.

Partnership & Community Engagement

Build relationships with schools, youth services, mental health organisations, and community groups.
Work with local authorities and funding bodies to deliver HAF and targeted short break programs.
Represent Watchtree at local networks and events to promote education and wellbeing initiatives.

Monitoring & Evaluation

Track outcomes and impact of programs, ensuring continuous improvement.
Prepare reports and contribute to funding applications where required.

Salary & Benefits:

Salary: £26428 to £28783 per annum, pro rata (depending on experience).
Contract: Guaranteed 30 hours per week, permanent, overtime available at standard rate where required by the business (see Flexibility below for more details)
Benefits:

o Pension scheme with Nest.

o Professional development and training opportunities.

o Employee Assistance Programme including 24 hour help-line with Health Assured

o 20% discount at Watchtree Nature Reserve and the Watchtree Wheelers – subject to Watchtree discount policy.

o Work laptop and mobile phone.

o Access to Watchtree facilities and staff wellbeing initiatives.

o Opportunity to work in a unique outdoor environment with a passionate team.

Flexibility

Historically, the Education and Wellbeing Team Leader has delivered most sessions. However, as the service grows, leadership and coordination have become central to the role. The new post holder will have the freedom to shape and develop the service in a way that best suits both themselves and the charity.

We guarantee a minimum of 30 hours per week for this position. Service delivery hours will be determined by bookings, which the post holder will manage. Additional hours may be available as service demand increases. If the post holder successfully grows session uptake, there is potential to increase the guaranteed hours in the future.

All service delivery takes place on-site at Watchtree Nature Reserve. Outside of session delivery, the post holder may choose to work from the reserve’s office facilities or from home.

Person Specification -Essential Criteria

Qualifications & Knowledge

· Relevant qualifications in education, youth work, wellbeing, or outdoor learning (or equivalent experience).

· Strong understanding of:

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
NEET engagement strategies.
Mental health and wellbeing support approaches.

· Knowledge of safeguarding and health & safety in outdoor environments.

Experience

Proven experience in planning and delivering educational or wellbeing programs, ideally in outdoor or nature-based settings.
Experience working with diverse groups, including SEND and NEET individuals.
Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team of staff and volunteers.
Experience delivering holiday activities, including HAF-funded sessions and commercial kids’ clubs.

Skills

Excellent leadership and team management skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
Ability to adapt activities to meet diverse needs and ensure accessibility.
Competent in monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for program outcomes.

Personal Attributes

Passion for nature and its role in education and wellbeing.
Empathetic, inclusive, and creative approach to program design.
Resilient and adaptable in a dynamic outdoor environment.
Highly organised with strong problem-solving skills.

Application Process

Interested parties should apply by completing the Team Leader Application form here

and sending it via email to wnr@watchtree.co.uk

If you would like to discuss the role or require any additional information, please get in touch with Ryan Dobson via email on ryan@watchtree.co.uk

The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18th, 2025.

Interviews will take place the week commencing the 26th of January 2025.