Behaviour and Welfare Advisor

About the Role

You’ll join the Leybourne Animal Centre as a dedicated Behaviour and Welfare Advisor, taking on a pivotal role in transforming the lives of vulnerable animals in the RSPCA’s care. This is permanent, full-time work (35 hours per week, 08:30–17:00) on a 6-week rolling rota that includes two weekends per rotation.

Your expertise will span assessment, training, and complex case management. You’ll be the first point of contact for animals with challenging behaviours, working closely with the National Behaviour Team and the Regional Clinical Animal Behaviourist. Beyond the animals themselves, you’ll mentor staff and volunteers, guide adopters through pre- and post-adoption support, and champion pragmatic, evidence-based welfare decisions. This is meaningful, challenging work in a supportive environment where your skills directly impact outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive behaviour and welfare assessments at intake and throughout animals’ stays, developing individualised behavioural and training plans
• Deliver training and guidance to staff, volunteers, and members of the public on animal welfare principles and behaviour modification techniques
• Manage complex and challenging behaviour cases, liaising with the National Behaviour Team and Regional Clinical Animal Behaviourist for specialist input
• Provide pre-adoption consultations and ongoing post-adoption support to new owners, ensuring successful placements and rehoming outcomes
• Travel to other RSPCA locations as needed to provide behaviour support across the network
• Contribute to a culture of animal-centred care and continuous improvement within the centre

Requirements

• Essential: Level 5 qualification in dog welfare, behaviour, and training
• Essential: Minimum 2 years’ practical experience in the care, husbandry, and handling of dogs, cats, or small animals within animal welfare settings
• Essential: Proven track record in applying behaviour modification and training theory in practice
• Essential: Strong communication and customer care skills with a pragmatic approach to animal welfare
• Essential: Ability to lead difficult conversations, including euthanasia decisions
• Essential: Full UK driving licence (role includes travel to other locations)
• Desirable: Experience working with species beyond dogs
• Legal right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available)
• Successful candidates will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Benefits

• Salary: £30,991–£36,461 plus 4% shift allowance
• 35-hour working week (full-time permanent contract)
• 25 days’ holiday per year
• Pension scheme
• Healthcare cash plan
• Life assurance
• Occupational sick pay
• Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support
• Dog-friendly workplace policies
• Cycle to work scheme
• Retail discount schemes
• Professional development opportunities and training support
• Family-friendly policies

About the Practice

The Leybourne Animal Centre is part of the RSPCA, the UK’s leading animal welfare charity. The centre specialises in rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of dogs, cats, and small animals. You’ll be working within a national charity framework with access to specialist expertise, including a dedicated National Behaviour Team and Regional Clinical Animal Behaviourist, whilst being embedded in a local team committed to direct animal care.

The RSPCA is committed to building a diverse workforce and actively welcomes applications from underrepresented groups, including people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities. Reasonable adjustments are available at all stages of the recruitment process.