Lead Instructor

Somerset County Council; Bridgwater; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

LGPS pension

Flexible and hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Paid volunteering opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a Lead Instructor to deliver outdoor activities and supervise residential programmes for young people. You’ll lead activities on and off site, provide pastoral care, promote wellbeing and safeguarding, and help ensure our programmes run safely and smoothly.

This fixed-term role is 37 hours per week, with a contract to 31 August 2029. A full UK driving licence and current First Aid qualification are essential; a flexible, inclusive approach is required as part of a

Qualifications

• Experience leading outdoor and adventurous activities with children and young people.
• Sound knowledge of health and safety, safeguarding, risk assessment and safe working practices.
• Experience adapting activities and making safe decisions in changing environments.
• Experience working in a residential, educational or outdoor learning setting.
• Strong communication and customer service skills; ability to build positive relationships with young people, colleagues and visitors.
• Ability to motivate, engage and support participants in an inclusive environment.
• Current outdoor activity qualification or equivalent practical experience.
• Current First Aid qualification (or willingness to obtain).
• Full UK driving licence and ability to drive minibuses.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Lead exciting outdoor adventures that help young people build confidence, resilience and new skills.
• Create safe, enjoyable and memorable residential experiences for every group.
• Inspire and support participants to challenge themselves and achieve more than they thought possible.
• Adapt activities to suit changing conditions while maintaining the highest standards of safety and safeguarding.
• Work with a friendly, supportive team to deliver exceptional experiences for schools, groups and families.
• Take pride in maintaining equipment, facilities and activity areas, ensuring they’re always ready for adventure.
• Help create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to thrive.

Skills

Outdoor leadership

Health and safety awareness

Risk assessment

Residential/educational experience

Communication & customer service

Motivating and engaging participants

First Aid qualification

Driving licence (UK)

Equality, diversity & inclusion

Teamwork

Education

Outdoor activity qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Salary: Grade 14, Ranging from £26,016 to £26,847 per annum.

Contract: Fixed Term until 31 August 2029.

Hours: 37 Hours per week. Includes evenings, overnights and weekends.

Closing date: 2nd November 2026

About the Role

If you love the outdoors and enjoy helping young people grow in confidence, this could be the perfect role for you.

You’ll deliver exciting outdoor activities, support residential stays, and create safe, memorable experiences that inspire young people to challenge themselves and discover what they can achieve.

Working as part of a friendly and supportive team, you’ll lead activities both on and off site, provide pastoral care, promote wellbeing and safeguarding, and help ensure our residential programmes run smoothly.

From supporting participants and maintaining equipment to adapting activities and solving challenges along the way, you’ll play a key part in making every visit enjoyable, safe and rewarding.

How You’ll Make a Difference

• Lead exciting outdoor adventures that help young people build confidence, resilience and new skills.
• Create safe, enjoyable and memorable residential experiences for every group.
• Inspire and support participants to challenge themselves and achieve more than they thought possible.
• Adapt activities to suit changing conditions while maintaining the highest standards of safety and safeguarding.
• Work with a friendly, supportive team to deliver exceptional experiences for schools, groups and families.
• Take pride in maintaining equipment, facilities and activity areas, ensuring they’re always ready for adventure.
• Help create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to thrive.

What You’ll Bring

• Experience leading outdoor and adventurous activities with children and young people.
• Sound knowledge of health and safety, safeguarding, risk assessment and safe working practices.
• Experience adapting activities and making safe decisions in changing environments.
• Experience working in a residential, educational or outdoor learning setting.
• Strong communication and customer service skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with young people, colleagues and visitors.
• Ability to motivate, engage and support participants in a safe and inclusive environment.
• Relevant outdoor activity qualification or equivalent practical experience.
• Current First Aid qualification (or willingness to obtain).
• Full UK driving licence and ability to drive minibuses.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we’re a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England’s most beautiful counties, it’s a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.

• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.

• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/

Further Information

• 25 day's annual leave (additional to bank holidays).

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Luke Hoather or Callum McMillan on 01278 741270 [e-mail].

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.

You can find a copy of the job description here: AG0885 Lead Instructor .pdf

Ref: WS/1432