Groom (2814)

RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre is set across 23 acres of beautiful Kent countryside near West Malling. Each year, we welcome over 15,000 visitors and care for a wide range of animals, including up to 10 horses, 57 dogs, 72 cats, and many other domestic species.

Our centre is a place of compassion, learning, and second chances. Every role here contributes directly to transforming the lives of animals who have experienced neglect, cruelty, or uncertainty - and helping them find safe, loving homes.

Curious about life at the centre?
Follow us on social media to see our work, our animals, and our people in action:

RSPCA Leybourne Facebook

RSPCA Leybourne Instagram 

We're excited to welcome a Groom to our dedicated team.

Contract: Permanent
Hours: 16 hours per week
Working pattern: Hours between 08:30 -17:00, including every other weekend and Bank Holidays, on a rolling rota

Whether you're looking to grow your career in equine welfare or bring your existing skills into a purpose-driven environment, this role offers the chance to make a genuine difference every day.

Are you one of our kind?

Our Recruitment Journey

We aim to make our recruitment process transparent, inclusive, and as stress-free as possible.

1. Application

You'll answer a small number of focused questions designed to help us understand your experience, strengths, and what motivates you. This is your opportunity to tell us about you.

2. Panel Interview & Site Visit - Thursday 12th March

If shortlisted, you'll be invited to the centre to meet the Hiring Manager and Yard Supervisor. This will include a competency-based interview and a guided tour of the site, giving you the chance to:

• Get a real feel for the team, the environment, and the animals in our care
• Ask questions and explore how the role fits your skills and goals
• Share how you work and what you can bring to the team in a relaxed, supportive setting

Our equine team works with horses and ponies who may have experienced neglect, mistreatment, or limited handling. Supporting their journey from intake through rehabilitation and ultimately rehoming is challenging work - but also deeply rewarding.

You don't need previous rescue or rehabilitation experience to succeed here. What matters most is your confidence around horses, your commitment to high welfare standards, and your desire to learn and grow.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assessing equine health and wellbeing
• Carrying out daily yard duties such as mucking out, feeding, pasture management, and maintaining a safe, clean environment
• Keeping accurate records and completing welfare-related paperwork
• Supporting the rehoming process, including engaging with potential adopters to help match horses with suitable forever homes
• Assisting with other animal species as and when required (dogs, cats and small animals)

A full job description is available for further detail on the role.

Essential

• BHS Qualification Level 2
• Strong knowledge and hands-on experience in equine care and husbandry
• Confidence working with a wide range of horses and ponies, including those who may be unhandled or have experienced trauma
• A genuine passion for equine welfare and making a positive difference
• Ability to work well as part of a team, alongside colleagues, volunteers, and members of the public
  Clear communication skills and a calm, flexible approach in a busy and sometimes unpredictable environment
• Confidence using IT systems to maintain accurate digital records

Desirable (but not essential):

• Experience working with other animals in a rescue or shelter setting
• Experience rehabilitating horses with behavioural challenges
• A full manual driving licence (for transporting animals between sites)

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA

We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible

We are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed  to our mission.  For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family! 

We're here to support you and encourage you to let us know if you need any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please feel free to contact us at resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk or 0300 123 0685 so we can ensure the process works for you.