Shepherd Employment Contract UK

Responsibilities reflected in the contract

• Check feed move and handle assigned sheep.
• Support lambing shearing and treatment routines.
• Monitor welfare grazing water and boundaries.
• Operate authorised vehicles equipment and working dogs.
• Record births deaths treatments movements and defects.

A realistic working scenario

A ewe presents an unfamiliar lambing complication on a remote field check. The shepherd follows the escalation plan and stabilises the situation within training instead of attempting a procedure beyond competence.

Outputs to agree

• well-cared-for sheep flocks
• controlled grazing and movements
• accurate welfare and lambing records

Records and evidence

• Flock group location and check.
• Lambing welfare treatment and withdrawal.
• Grazing feed movement and mortality.
• Vehicle dog fence defect and handover.
• Work records.
• Handover notes.

Reporting relationship

Typically reports to Line Manager or Department Manager. Confirm the employer's actual reporting structure in the builder.

Authority and escalation

• The shepherd cannot diagnose, prescribe, change breeding or grazing plans, perform procedures beyond training or use unauthorised vehicles and medicines.
• Obtain approval before committing expenditure, changing contractual commitments or making regulated or staffing decisions outside the assigned role.

Tools and systems

• Risk assessment records.

Workplace context

• Production, workshop, site or field locations.

Training and certification

• Complete employer-required health and safety training.

Contract priorities

• flock land rota and lone work
• lambing handling dogs and welfare
• medicines movements vehicles and biosecurity
• accommodation emergencies and records

Information the employer should prepare

• the flock land and husbandry system
• the lambing and weekend rota
• the intervention and medicine authority
• the dogs vehicles and equipment provided
• the escalation accommodation and record process