Job summary
We are looking to recruit a full time, compassionate, inspiring and creative Woodwork instructor who has experience of teaching or mentoring people, to join our friendly vocational rehabilitation team based at our 32 acre, semi rural site on the edge of Exminster.
As part of your role you will be responsible for assisting people to achieve their personal development goals through the medium of wood, as part of their recovery journey. We offer a safe, non judgemental learning environment where people can begin to realise their potential and can work towards employment or voluntary work by the end of their 24 week placement.
We have a large comprehensive wood workshop where you will be able to support people to learn to make a range of nature based products and will also have the creative imagination to develop our commercial output.
Although you will be part of a supportive team, this role requires you to work mainly alone in the workshop, teaching our service users basic skills and will therefore require a degree of confidence to work autonomously and to manage your own department.
We currently have one volunteer who can assist for one day per week and hope to increase this support over time.
New Leaf has a well respected reputation as a supportive, empathetic environment where we all work together to ensure positive outcomes for the individuals using our service.
Shortlisting date: 16th February 2026
Interviews date: 23rd February 2026
Main duties of the job
- The main duties of the role are to work collaboratively with the Service Manager and Vocational Specialist to ensure all individuals are supported to achieve their personalised vocational goals.
- To hold a clinical caseload of people, developing their skills and confidence in woodworking and developing their resilience in a replication of a work setting.
- An understanding of mental health and an empathetic approach towards people attending the service.
- Have patience, excellent listening skills and have the expertise to support new learners, providing a level of motivation and encouragement to ensure a can do attitude.
- Have excellent communication skills, liaising effectively with the New Leaf team, service users and customers.
- Be an organised individual, responsible for purchasing appropriate raw materials within budget limits and for costing products for sale commercially. Manage own priorities within the time available during the week and have a degree of flexibility, supporting other areas of the service as required.
- Ensure health and safety requirements within the department are robustly followed and with specific responsibility for ensuring equipment and machinery are in good working order.
- Maintain accurate clinical records using the Trust electronic recording system to monitor individuals' progress and be able to discuss any concerns with the Service Manager and Vocational Specialist.
- Have a creative vision for the woodwork department and support its development and reputation.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities
Communication and Working Relationship Skills
- The post holder will be expected to establish and maintain good working relationships with team members and ensure that communications support continuity of work and service provision at times of absence.
- It is expected that the post holder will be empathetic and communicate tactfully and sensitively at all times with people using the services, carers, other mental health professionals and employers as required.
- Communicate effectively with the Team Manager and all vocational services staff as well as wider NHS staff, community partners and visitors to the New Leaf site.
- Maintain professional and respectful communications with commercial and public customers of New Leaf and liaise as necessary to support the commercial activities and vocational aims of the service.
- Liaise closely with Employment Specialists and all relevant health professionals and named individuals concerning relevant aspects of the persons placement at New Leaf to support achieving vocational goals and the holistic wellbeing of a person as appropriate.
- Hold a case list of patients for whom you are the identified technical instructor.
- Provide support to other departments as required or at times of staff shortage.
- Work in groups or individually with people using the service in appropriate activities, providing advice and instruction as appropriate.
- Contribute to organising and planning training programmes and facilitate visits to other relevant providers in meeting vocational goals.
- Develop effective working relationships with a range of other agencies and third party providers that may provide help for people on a vocational placement to achieve their employment goals for example, local colleges, training providers and external supported employment services.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
- Ensure health and safety procedures are maintained at all times.
- Ensure concerns about service users health and well-being are discussed and supported as necessary and that concerns are reported to the Employment Specialist or VR manager and where appropriate the wider care team to ensure that necessary supportive action is taken.
- Ensure that all equipment meets with Health and Safety at Work Act standards and to regularly service and /or arrange replacement through the service manager.
- Monitor the quality of products produced by New Leaf.
- Report any risk concerns, accidents or incidents to the Team Manager and via RMS.
- Monitor progress with clinical outcomes of own caseload and report updates as necessary at the weekly caseload team meeting.
- Work with the Employment Specialist to identify planned changes that may be helpful in maximising the benefits in service users placements.
- Assess person using the service progress towards agreed goals
- Work to the agreed action plan whenever possible, if circumstances require, use own judgement to amend the agreed plan. Report promptly back to the Employment Specialist wider team any deviations from the agreed plan with rational.
Planning and Organisational Skills
- Manage own diary prioritising time to ensure all work commitments are met.
- To liaise with the Employment Specialist and other health professionals to arrange placements suitable for the people referred.
- In conjunction with the Employment Specialist develop a programme of training, education and activities to ensure that all people reach their maximum potential within the areas they work. This includes practical skills and soft skill areas.
- To partake in regular supervision to ensure own practice is maintained to a high standard and to ensure that action plans for individuals are appropriate.
- Participate in the organisation and planning of training programmes as required to support individual vocational goals and the development of vocational services.
- To arrange with the Team Manager any times of absence from work.
- Educate and instruct people in safe and good working practices.
- Be aware of and inform the Team Manager of any concerns under the Health and Safety at Work 1974 act. Record and monitor all relevant risk assessments within the department.
- Process all purchase card receipts and pass on relevant information necessary to complete financial records in line with Trust policy.
- Work with the New Leaf team to support a broad understanding of woodworking processes and practice and encourage a learning environment where professional knowledge and skills are shared with the staff group in supporting good vocational practice.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy
- Supervise and enable people attending the department through training to carry out day to day tasks and supervise the safe and effective use of relevant equipment.
- Assess individual capabilities within the department through working together with attendees to identify areas of challenge in building individual vocational goals and supporting people into the service.
- Support and monitor progress toward individual action plans, with other relevant health professionals. Organise / attend reviews of caseload within service parameters.
- Record contacts and keep accurate records and information on an individuals placements, in line with Trust policies and adding to the Trust record management system, CareNotes.
- The post holder will be expected to assist the Team Manager in production and maintenance and adherence to relevant local policies to ensure safe services are delivered.
- The post holder will be expected to assist in identifying and generating work with potential customers in support of the commercial element of vocational service provision.
- Assist with health & safety risk assessments on and off site.
- Participate in training to ensure that clinical knowledge and technical skills are of a high standard and regularly updated.
- Undertake other training at the request of the Team Manager as relevant to service needs.
- Participate in the training / mentoring of helpers, volunteers, students and visitors as requested.
- Engage in regular supervision with the Team Manager and take a
- Assist with the induction of new staff, describing and demonstrating the role of a Technical Instructor within Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
- Support informal visits to New Leaf vocational services from potential attendees and other visiting organisations by talking to small groups of visitors about the department and your role as a Technical Instructor.
Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties
- The post holder must maintain up to date, accurate and timely records on peoples progress within New Leaf.
- Maintain accurate clinical records on the Trust record management system.
- Record statistical information through survey and audit to inform quality of services delivered and potential deficits. Record training given, outcomes of contact, and any other information needed for the ongoing evaluation of the service.
- Regularly use IT systems for inputting of data, e-mailing and word processing.
- Carry out and record regular action plan reviews. Contribute to care plans for people on CPA who attend Vocational Services.
- The post holder will process departmental sales orders received and pass on to the admin team all relevant information, and keep all necessary records until order is complete.
- The post holder will undertake stock control audits as requested.
Responsibility for Research and Development
- Take an active part in reviewing and developing new working practices in line with current evidence based practice as requested.
- Participates in staff surveys.
- Undertake audits to support service improvement.
Freedom to Act
- Work as part of the New Leaf team, making clinical decisions in conjunction with clinical colleagues / Team Manager.
- Adhere to Trust policies and work within environmental health regulations, and standard operating procedures, with reference to the Team Manager as appropriate.
Any Other Specific Tasks Required
- Undertake training to ensure own skills and knowledge are kept up to date.
- To positively promote New Leaf to people and their families who may wish to access the service, commercial customers, colleagues, partners and visitors to New Leaf.
- Participate in monthly clinical supervision of work.
- Participate in monthly management supervision.
- Participate in yearly personal development and review meetings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities
Communication and Working Relationship Skills
- The post holder will be expected to establish and maintain good working relationships with team members and ensure that communications support continuity of work and service provision at times of absence.
- It is expected that the post holder will be empathetic and communicate tactfully and sensitively at all times with people using the services, carers, other mental health professionals and employers as required.
- Communicate effectively with the Team Manager and all vocational services staff as well as wider NHS staff, community partners and visitors to the New Leaf site.
- Maintain professional and respectful communications with commercial and public customers of New Leaf and liaise as necessary to support the commercial activities and vocational aims of the service.
- Liaise closely with Employment Specialists and all relevant health professionals and named individuals concerning relevant aspects of the persons placement at New Leaf to support achieving vocational goals and the holistic wellbeing of a person as appropriate.
- Hold a case list of patients for whom you are the identified technical instructor.
- Provide support to other departments as required or at times of staff shortage.
- Work in groups or individually with people using the service in appropriate activities, providing advice and instruction as appropriate.
- Contribute to organising and planning training programmes and facilitate visits to other relevant providers in meeting vocational goals.
- Develop effective working relationships with a range of other agencies and third party providers that may provide help for people on a vocational placement to achieve their employment goals for example, local colleges, training providers and external supported employment services.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
- Ensure health and safety procedures are maintained at all times.
- Ensure concerns about service users health and well-being are discussed and supported as necessary and that concerns are reported to the Employment Specialist or VR manager and where appropriate the wider care team to ensure that necessary supportive action is taken.
- Ensure that all equipment meets with Health and Safety at Work Act standards and to regularly service and /or arrange replacement through the service manager.
- Monitor the quality of products produced by New Leaf.
- Report any risk concerns, accidents or incidents to the Team Manager and via RMS.
- Monitor progress with clinical outcomes of own caseload and report updates as necessary at the weekly caseload team meeting.
- Work with the Employment Specialist to identify planned changes that may be helpful in maximising the benefits in service users placements.
- Assess person using the service progress towards agreed goals
- Work to the agreed action plan whenever possible, if circumstances require, use own judgement to amend the agreed plan. Report promptly back to the Employment Specialist wider team any deviations from the agreed plan with rational.
Planning and Organisational Skills
- Manage own diary prioritising time to ensure all work commitments are met.
- To liaise with the Employment Specialist and other health professionals to arrange placements suitable for the people referred.
- In conjunction with the Employment Specialist develop a programme of training, education and activities to ensure that all people reach their maximum potential within the areas they work. This includes practical skills and soft skill areas.
- To partake in regular supervision to ensure own practice is maintained to a high standard and to ensure that action plans for individuals are appropriate.
- Participate in the organisation and planning of training programmes as required to support individual vocational goals and the development of vocational services.
- To arrange with the Team Manager any times of absence from work.
- Educate and instruct people in safe and good working practices.
- Be aware of and inform the Team Manager of any concerns under the Health and Safety at Work 1974 act. Record and monitor all relevant risk assessments within the department.
- Process all purchase card receipts and pass on relevant information necessary to complete financial records in line with Trust policy.
- Work with the New Leaf team to support a broad understanding of woodworking processes and practice and encourage a learning environment where professional knowledge and skills are shared with the staff group in supporting good vocational practice.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy
- Supervise and enable people attending the department through training to carry out day to day tasks and supervise the safe and effective use of relevant equipment.
- Assess individual capabilities within the department through working together with attendees to identify areas of challenge in building individual vocational goals and supporting people into the service.
- Support and monitor progress toward individual action plans, with other relevant health professionals. Organise / attend reviews of caseload within service parameters.
- Record contacts and keep accurate records and information on an individuals placements, in line with Trust policies and adding to the Trust record management system, CareNotes.
- The post holder will be expected to assist the Team Manager in production and maintenance and adherence to relevant local policies to ensure safe services are delivered.
- The post holder will be expected to assist in identifying and generating work with potential customers in support of the commercial element of vocational service provision.
- Assist with health & safety risk assessments on and off site.
- Participate in training to ensure that clinical knowledge and technical skills are of a high standard and regularly updated.
- Undertake other training at the request of the Team Manager as relevant to service needs.
- Participate in the training / mentoring of helpers, volunteers, students and visitors as requested.
- Engage in regular supervision with the Team Manager and take a
- Assist with the induction of new staff, describing and demonstrating the role of a Technical Instructor within Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
- Support informal visits to New Leaf vocational services from potential attendees and other visiting organisations by talking to small groups of visitors about the department and your role as a Technical Instructor.
Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties
- The post holder must maintain up to date, accurate and timely records on peoples progress within New Leaf.
- Maintain accurate clinical records on the Trust record management system.
- Record statistical information through survey and audit to inform quality of services delivered and potential deficits. Record training given, outcomes of contact, and any other information needed for the ongoing evaluation of the service.
- Regularly use IT systems for inputting of data, e-mailing and word processing.
- Carry out and record regular action plan reviews. Contribute to care plans for people on CPA who attend Vocational Services.
- The post holder will process departmental sales orders received and pass on to the admin team all relevant information, and keep all necessary records until order is complete.
- The post holder will undertake stock control audits as requested.
Responsibility for Research and Development
- Take an active part in reviewing and developing new working practices in line with current evidence based practice as requested.
- Participates in staff surveys.
- Undertake audits to support service improvement.
Freedom to Act
- Work as part of the New Leaf team, making clinical decisions in conjunction with clinical colleagues / Team Manager.
- Adhere to Trust policies and work within environmental health regulations, and standard operating procedures, with reference to the Team Manager as appropriate.
Any Other Specific Tasks Required
- Undertake training to ensure own skills and knowledge are kept up to date.
- To positively promote New Leaf to people and their families who may wish to access the service, commercial customers, colleagues, partners and visitors to New Leaf.
- Participate in monthly clinical supervision of work.
- Participate in monthly management supervision.
- Participate in yearly personal development and review meetings.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience working in woodwork / woodcraft and experience working with people individually or in groups sharing knowledge and skills in a learning environment
- Mental health awareness
- Use of email, Microsoft Word and Excel
Desirable
- Previous experience of working with people who have a mental health condition
- Personal experience of mental health issues
- Experience of working with / supporting people in a natural environment where the benefits in connecting with nature understood and encouraged
Professionalism, at all times present self and represent the team in a professional and appropriate manner and be able to maintain professional boundaries
Essential
- Excellent organisational skills; can be relied upon to produce work in a timely manner and oversee department processes that are essential in maintaining a viable commercial enterprise
- Professionalism, at all times present self and represent the team in a professional and appropriate manner and be able to maintain professional boundaries
- UK Driving Licence holder
Desirable
- Basic counselling skills.
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 and equivalent level of knowledge or equivalent qualification in woodworking practice.
- IT Skills
Desirable
- PTLLS - Adult teaching qualification
- NVQ Level 3 in mental health care plus knowledge skills development to diploma level or equivalent
- First Aid at Work Certificate
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience working in woodwork / woodcraft and experience working with people individually or in groups sharing knowledge and skills in a learning environment
- Mental health awareness
- Use of email, Microsoft Word and Excel
Desirable
- Previous experience of working with people who have a mental health condition
- Personal experience of mental health issues
- Experience of working with / supporting people in a natural environment where the benefits in connecting with nature understood and encouraged
Professionalism, at all times present self and represent the team in a professional and appropriate manner and be able to maintain professional boundaries
Essential
- Excellent organisational skills; can be relied upon to produce work in a timely manner and oversee department processes that are essential in maintaining a viable commercial enterprise
- Professionalism, at all times present self and represent the team in a professional and appropriate manner and be able to maintain professional boundaries
- UK Driving Licence holder
Desirable
- Basic counselling skills.
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 and equivalent level of knowledge or equivalent qualification in woodworking practice.
- IT Skills
Desirable
- PTLLS - Adult teaching qualification
- NVQ Level 3 in mental health care plus knowledge skills development to diploma level or equivalent
- First Aid at Work Certificate
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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