Do you love working with animals? Are you passionate about helping young people build confidence, independence and life skills? This isn’t your typical Teaching Assistant role.
At Chestnut Hill School, you’ll combine your enthusiasm for animal welfare, outdoor learning and education to create unforgettable experiences for autistic young people aged 8–19.
As our Enrichment & Animal Care Teaching Assistant, you’ll play a vital role in helping pupils discover new strengths, interests and possibilities beyond the traditional classroom. You’ll support the delivery of enriching activities designed to develop life skills, emotional wellbeing and independence, while also taking responsibility for the care and welfare of our on-site animals.
This is a rare opportunity to combine your passion for supporting young people with your love of animals in a truly rewarding career.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Supporting pupils during animal care, enrichment and outdoor learning activities
- Encouraging confidence, independence and personal development through practical experiences
- Building positive relationships with pupils and understanding their individual communication and sensory needs
- Supporting the development of teamwork, problem-solving, communication and life skills
- Preparing resources, visual supports and differentiated materials to enable participation
- Taking responsibility for the daily care and welfare of the school’s animals, including feeding, cleaning and health checks
- Modelling safe, respectful interactions with animals and promoting excellent hygiene practices
- Monitoring pupil engagement and wellbeing, providing feedback to the wider team
- Contributing to risk assessments, safeguarding procedures and maintaining safe learning environments
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Passionate about both animal welfare and supporting young people
- Experienced in working with children and young people with autism, additional needs or complex needs
- Calm, patient and positive, even when faced with challenges
- Confident supporting practical activities, outdoor learning and animal care routines
- A natural relationship-builder who understands the importance of trust and consistency
- Committed to safeguarding, professional boundaries and promoting wellbeing
- Organised, proactive and able to work as part of a supportive team
- Excited by the opportunity to make a genuine difference every single day
About Us
Chestnut Hill is a small, independent school catering to autistic pupils and young people aged 8-19.We aim to provide an inclusive, safe, inspiring and supportive environment in which our pupils are encouraged to form friendships, aspire and believe in themselves, discover new ways of learning, develop skills for life, know they are valued and have a sense of belonging. The student’s wellbeing is at the heart of everything Chestnut Hill will do, and we aim to build close relationships with parents/guardians and work collaboratively with alternative provision professionals, such as speech and language, art and occupational therapists. To support students’ specific needs. We will always strive for the very best for our young people.
Our individually tailored curriculum will cover all Areas of Learning (AoLE’s) from the New Welsh Curriculum, in imaginative and flexible ways for pupils ages 8 to 19. We aim to provide Regular opportunities for pupils to access a wide range of activities including yoga, cycling, forest school, swimming and coaching in inclusive and traditional sports by external coaches and internal facilitators.
We are located in Holywell, a beautiful market town and community in Flintshire, Wales.
For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
- Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Please mention Jobs With Animals when applying for this role.