AP Practitioner

Supply Star Recruitment Limited; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Supply Star Recruitment Limited is seeking an AP Practitioner for a specialist farm-based provision in Aylesbury. The role involves supporting students with SEMH needs in an outdoor, hands-on setting, integrating animal care with practical education.

Ideal candidates will have SEMH experience in AP/SEND settings, a patient and nurturing approach, and the ability to manage challenging behaviour while encouraging personal development and engagement in learning.

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people with SEMH needs, ideally in AP/SEND or specialist setting.
• Patient, resilient and nurturing approach with ability to build trust.
• Confident managing challenging behaviour and supporting emotional regulation.

Responsibilities

• Build positive, supportive relationships with students.
• Deliver engaging, practical and individualised learning activities.
• Support students with SEMH needs, including emotional regulation, behaviour and social development.
• Incorporate animal care and outdoor learning into daily activities.
• Encourage confidence, independence and positive behaviour.
• Provide pastoral support and help create a safe learning environment.
• Collaborate with colleagues to support individual student needs.

Skills

SEMH experience

Outdoor learning

Animal care interest

Patience under pressure

Job description

Alternative Provision (AP) Practitioner – Aylesbury

Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Setting: Specialist Alternative Provision – Farm-Based Environment

We are seeking a passionate, patient and adaptable AP Practitioner to join a small, specialist setting in Aylesbury, supporting students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

Based on a working farm, this is a unique opportunity to work in an outdoor, hands-on learning environment where animal care and interaction play a central role in supporting students' personal development, emotional wellbeing and engagement with education.

The Role:

• Build positive, supportive relationships with students who may face barriers to mainstream education.
• Deliver engaging, practical and individualised learning activities.
• Support students with SEMH needs, including emotional regulation, behaviour and social development.
• Incorporate animal care, farm activities and outdoor learning into daily engagement.
• Encourage confidence, independence, communication and positive behaviour.
• Provide consistent pastoral support and help create a safe, nurturing learning environment.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support individual student needs and progress.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Experience working with young people with SEMH needs, ideally within an AP, SEND or specialist education setting.
• A patient, resilient and nurturing approach, with the ability to build trust and rapport.
• Confident managing challenging behaviour and supporting emotional regulation.
• A genuine interest in outdoor learning, animal care and practical education.
• Adaptable, proactive and comfortable working in a small, hands-on provision.
• Passionate about helping young people overcome barriers and reach their potential.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference in a setting that offers something different from traditional classroom-based education. The farm environment provides a fantastic opportunity to use animal care, practical activities and outdoor learning to build relationships, develop life skills and re-engage young people with education.

This role is subject to enhanced DBS checks and safer recruitment procedures.