Join the team
Vacancies
We are currently recruiting for:
- Trainee Woodland Play Facilitator (full time/part time)
- Woodland Play Assistants (ad-hoc freelance)
Trainee Woodland Play Facilitator
Full time/Part time 22.5 - 37.5 hours (3 - 5 days)
Closing date for applications
Friday 25th September 2026, 5pm
Salary
£24,785 - 26,000 (pro-rata)
Location
Various - including:
- schools in Greater Manchester and Lancashire
- sites in Greater Manchester including Dunham Massey, Heaton Park, Summerseat and Tottington
Key relationships – Internal
- Reporting to the Director
- Marketing, Operations and Partnerships Manager
- Office Assistant
- Woodland Play Facilitators
- Woodland Play Assistants
Key relationships – External
- Teachers / school staff
- Parents
- Site partners
- Community groups
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Promote and provide Forest School experiences which adhere to and apply the 6 principles of the Forest School ethos
- Reflect on your own practice, undertake continued professional development
- Assist in Forest School sessions and outdoor education programmes
- Assist in the logistics, daily running and working as part of a team
- Assist site set up, equipment and resources
- Responsible for conducting dynamic risk assessments
- Monitoring the impact of the children’s behaviour, emotional and mental wellbeing within CommuniTree’s session
- Ensure the Health and Safety, of all children attending these sessions
- Responsible for clear up, packing and fully ending the session
- Report to the Forest School Senior Lead
- Contribute your own skills and abilities as under leader’s discretion
Responsibilities of all CommuniTree Staff
- Maintain an awareness of own and others health and safety and comply with CommuniTree’s health and safety procedures
- Adhere to CommuniTree Outdoor Education values, policies and procedures
- Comply with all relevant CommuniTree safeguarding policies
- A commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people
- Attend staff training and meeting
Person Specification
Attitude and behaviour
- Excellent planning, organisational skills and reliability
- Creative, adaptable and self-motivated with great energy
- Excellent attention to detail and observation skills
- Strong verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- The ability to work well under pressure and work to deadlines
- Building strong rapport with the children in a warm and caring manner; whilst maintaining firm boundaries and our safeguarding policies
- A real passion for nature-based practice and play
- Enthusiasm for creating new and exciting learning environments
- Commitment to own personal development and progression
- Strong relationship building skills, with experience of doing this in schools and community groups
- Ability to adapt quickly to changes, is flexible and uses initiative
- Brilliant teamwork and able to work effectively in a small team
Your knowledge
- Understanding of the therapeutic aspects of Forest School
- Understanding of the National Curriculum
- Understanding of safeguarding procedures
- Understanding of health and safety requirements
Your skills and experience
- Level 3 childcare qualification or equivalent with a minimum of 2 years working within a childcare setting
- Experience working with children and young people aged 5-18
- Experience of working with children in an outdoor or wellbeing setting
- A minimum of a year’s experience working with children with special educational needs
- Full clean UK driver's license - required to drive company van
Desirable
- Ability to play an instrument (guitar/drums/flute)
- An interest in crafts (ceramics, weaving, metalwork, woodwork)
- Ability in the arts (dance/drama/story-telling)
- Experience working in ecology or environmental science
- Experience in therapeutic-based practice
Woodland Play Assistant (ad-hoc freelance)
We accept applications throughout the year. If you are selected, you’ll be added to our freelancer database and contacted when suitable opportunities become available.
Salary
National minimum wage
Location
Various - including:
- schools in Greater Manchester and Lancashire
- sites in Greater Manchester including Heaton Park, Dunham Massey and Summerseat
Key relationships – Internal
- Reporting to the Director
- Marketing, Operations and Partnerships Manager
- Office Assistant
- Woodland Play Facilitators
- Woodland Play Assistants
Key relationships – External
- Parents
- Site partners
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist in play sessions (for example out-of-school clubs, birthday parties, curriculum days)
- Assist site set up, equipment and resources
- Assistant role in carrying out activities during play sessions
- Support in conducting dynamic risk assessments prior to every play session on site
- Ensure the Health and Safety, of all children attending play sessions
- Responsible for clear up, packing and fully ending the session
- Report to the Forest School Senior Lead
Responsibilities of all CommuniTree Staff
- Maintain an awareness of own and others health and safety and comply with CommuniTree’s health and safety procedures
- Adhere to CommuniTree Outdoor Education values, policies and procedures
- Comply with all relevant CommuniTree Safeguarding policies
- A commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people
- Attend staff training and meetings
Person Specification
- Strong verbal and non verbal communication skills
- Experience working with 5- 11 year-olds
- Experience of working with children in an outdoor or wellbeing setting
- Building strong rapport with the children in a warm and caring manner; whilst maintaining firm boundaries and our safeguarding policies
- A real passion for nature play and engaging children with the outdoors
- Excellent attention to detail and observation skills
- Creative and self-motivated with great energy
- Ability to adapt quickly to changes, is flexible and uses initiative
- Brilliant teamwork and able to work effectively in a small team
- Understanding of the therapeutic aspects of play
- Understanding of non-verbal communication
- Understanding of safeguarding procedures
- Understanding of health and safety requirements
How to apply
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organisation. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Please complete the application form below and send it to recruitment@communitree.co.uk
Application pack
- Application form (docx)
- Request for reference form (for information only)
- Disclosure form (for information only - we will only ask you to complete this if you are invited for interview).
- Safeguarding policy
- Safeguarding statement
Shortlist and Interviews
Applicants will be shortlisted on the application form (CVs will not be accepted) submitted against the above person specification.
The shortlisting panel will not have access to any of your personal information that identifies you. This means we can recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity. This includes:
- name/title
- educational institutions
- age
- gender
- email address
- postal address
- phone number
- nationality/immigration status
Interviews will focus on the application form and the person specification. You will be assessed on your attitude, behaviour, knowledge, skills and experience.
Feedback will provided if you attend an interview.
Security
- Successful candidates must pass an enhanced disclosure and barring security check
- Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed
About CommuniTree
Communitree Outdoor Education was established in 2013. For the last 13 years, we have delivered a range of forest school and outdoor education experiences
- alternative provision
- holiday clubs
- curriculum days
- family days
- birthday celebrations
- training
