Job title: Gardening Team Skills Coach
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exemptions) Order 1975 applies to this post. Disclosure and Barring Clearance is required prior to employment to this post.
Introduction.
An exciting opportunity has opened up to join our Cut Flower Team at Little Gate Farm, in the beautiful rural setting of Beckley. We’re a social enterprise with a purpose — using our farm and garden, and meaningful work to transform lives.
Our team delivers hands-on work skills training for autistic and learning disabled adults. Through growing and selling cut flowers, our trainees build confidence, independence, and employability skills in a supportive, inclusive environment.
This is more than just gardening — it’s a stepping stone to paid employment, supported by our dedicated Little Gate Supported Employment team, who work alongside trainees and local employers to create real job opportunities in our community.
Job title: Gardening Team Skills Coach.
Location: Little Gate Farm, Horseshoe Lane, Beckley, East Sussex, TN31 6RZ.
A unique 46-acre farm in rural surroundings.
Salary: £12.50 per hour
28 hours a week (3.5 days)
Monday 8:30- 5:30 (8 hours)
Wednesday 8:30- 5:30 (8 hours)
Friday 8:30- 5:30 (8 hours)
1/2 day Thursday (4 hours between 8:30 – 5:30 – usually 9am to 1pm)
There is a 6-month probationary period, 5.6 weeks annual holiday entitlement and you may be required to work outside of the stated hours by mutual agreement. Some flexibility in working hours can be considered.
Start date: As soon as possible.
Job responsibilities
- Encourage participation and motivation by creating a positive, goal-focused environment where achievements are celebrated and mistakes are seen as learning opportunities
- Coach and support trainees to build work skills, confidence, communication, and independence, using the Skills Builder framework and aligning with individual employment goals
- Identify and nurture trainees’ skills and aspirations in readiness for paid employment
- Model professional workplace behaviours and support trainees to develop good communication, timekeeping, problem-solving, and teamwork
- Be observant and organised, monitoring trainee wellbeing, progress, and professionalism daily using our CRM system, and contributing to regular team reviews
- Support each trainee’s 8-week journey by helping them set and work towards personal goals and observing progress.
- Work alongside trainees on practical flower farming tasks such as planting, watering, weeding, propagation, harvesting, and seasonal maintenance
- Plan engaging, inclusive activities that develop relevant employment and enterprise skills, adapting for individual needs.
- Maintain a safe and inclusive working environment, following safeguarding procedures, promoting wellbeing, and reporting concerns promptly
- Collaborate with the wider team, contributing ideas, sharing concerns, and participating in problem-solving to ensure smooth, person-centred delivery
- Support the weekly market, as required, supporting trainees customer service skills and real business experience.
- Support enterprise quality and growth by contributing to improvements in systems, production standards, and market readiness
- Actively reflect and grow, seeking feedback and learning opportunities to continuously improve your coaching practice and contribute to the wider mission of Little Gate
Personal specification
Essential
- Experience in gardening including propagation, weeding, harvesting and seasonal planning
- Empathy, patience and strong communication skills to support learning-disabled and autistic adults effectively
- Organised and observant, with strong attention to detail and ability to monitor trainee progress and record information accurately
- Positive and proactive, with the tenacity to overcome challenges and the flexibility to respond to changing needs and priorities
- Comfortable using technology, especially Word, and Microsoft outlook.
- Resilient and adaptable, able to work outdoors in all conditions and manage a changing schedule
- Reflective and committed to growth, open to feedback and keen to develop professionally
- Able to work independently, taking initiative to schedule and deliver daily tasks aligned with trainee and enterprise goals
- Aligned with Little Gate’s values – respectful, compassionate, intentional and aspirational
- Works and collaborates effectively within a team, sharing ideas openly and contributing to a positive, supportive atmosphere.”
- Car driver with access to own transport, or able to reliably travel to our rural site
Desirable
- Knowledge of floristry, flower arranging or bouquet preparation
- Experience supporting adults with learning disabilities or autism in a work or training environment
- Familiarity with Skills Builder or similar
- Experience delivering coaching or practical training in a social enterprise, education, or community setting
- Experience growing cut flowers
Safeguarding requirements:
All employees and volunteers, regardless of their posts, share in the responsibility for protecting our work trainees, young rangers and students, keeping them safe from harm whilst they are attending Little Gate and for reporting concerns about any person’s welfare and safety.
The post holder will be engaging in regulated activity with young people and/or adults at risk.
Initial and ongoing safeguarding training will be provided as part of the role.
DBS requirements: Enhanced with Barred list check
Application deadline: 14th October 2025
Interview date: TBC (within 10 days of application deadline)
Apply here https://forms.office.com/e/EN9K6V695H
Little Gate Farm are an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
Our Commitment
Little Gate is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. Please see our application form for more information regarding guaranteed interviews for candidates choosing to share that they have a disability.
Our application and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.
We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
Little Gate implements safeguarding protocols in all aspects of their working practices and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced and barred DBS check, and this may include social media checks. For further details please contact Sally Moseley via email at hrsally@littlegate.org.uk.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exemptions) Order 1975 applies to this post. Disclosure and Barring Clearance is required prior to employment to this post.
Please note, due to a high volume of applications, we are not always able to feedback if you have been deemed unsuccessful upon review. We apologise in advance should you not be contacted.