Animal Care Assistant - Oakham

Justteachers Ltd; Oakham; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Justteachers Ltd is recruiting an Animal Care Assistant for a specialist education setting in the LE15 area to care for ponies, donkeys and other animals within a therapeutic environment for young people with additional needs on a full-time basis.

The role is practical, outdoors and requires following established routines, maintaining welfare, cleanliness and safety across the school’s animal provision. You will work with the Equine Instructor and Estates team and may work independently.

Qualifications

• Practical experience caring for horses, ponies, or donkeys.
• Knowledge of animal health indicators and recognizing illness, distress or injury.
• Experience maintaining stables/yards, mucking out and paddock upkeep.
• Basic understanding of equine first aid and when to escalate concerns.
• Awareness of equine behaviour and safe handling practices.
• Good physical fitness for manual, outdoor work.
• Ability to work independently and manage responsibilities confidently.
• Clear communication skills for reporting updates on animal welfare.
• Access to a vehicle and full UK driving licence (business use required).

Responsibilities

• Feed, water, and monitor the health and wellbeing of animals on site.
• Muck out stables, maintain paddocks, and ensure yard cleanliness.
• Groom, rug, and handle animals in line with their needs and weather conditions.
• Maintain clean, safe enclosures and overall yard standards.
• Support basic equine first aid and promptly report any concerns.
• Ensure site security, including locking gates and monitoring access.
• Follow daily routines and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Contribute to a safe and supportive environment aligned with the wider setting.

Skills

Animal care

Animal health

Stable maintenance

Equine first aid

Equine behaviour

Physical fitness

Independent work

Communication

Driving licence

Job description

About the role:

justteachers are recruiting a reliable and hands-on Animal Care Assistant to join a specialist education setting in the LE15 area, supporting the care of ponies, donkeys, and other animals within a therapeutic environment for young people with additional needs on a full-time basis.
This is a practical, physically active role working across the school's animal provision, ensuring high standards of welfare, cleanliness, and safety are maintained at all times. You will work closely with the Equine Instructor and Estates team, while also being confident working independently and following established routines.
This role is ideal for someone with a genuine passion for animal care who enjoys working outdoors and contributing to a purposeful, supportive environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Feed, water, and monitor the health and wellbeing of animals on site


• Muck out stables, maintain paddocks, and ensure yard cleanliness


• Groom, rug, and handle animals in line with their individual needs and weather conditions


• Maintain clean, safe enclosures and overall yard standards


• Support basic equine first aid and promptly report any concerns


• Ensure site security, including locking gates and monitoring access


• Follow daily routines and work independently with minimal supervision


• Contribute to a safe and supportive environment aligned with the wider setting

Pre-requisites:

• Practical experience caring for horses, ponies, or donkeys (feeding, grooming, stable management)


• Knowledge of animal health indicators and ability to recognise illness, distress, or injury


• Experience maintaining stables/yards, including mucking out and paddock upkeep


• Basic understanding of equine first aid and when to accelerate concerns


• Awareness of equine behaviour and safe handling practices


• Good physical fitness for manual, outdoor work


• Ability to work independently and manage responsibilities confidently


• Clear communication skills for reporting updates on animal welfare


• Access to a vehicle and full UK driving licence (business use required)