Job type
PermanentLocation
OxfordshireWorking Pattern
Full-timeSpecialism
MaintenanceIndustry
Education & TrainingPay
As statedClosing date
17 Aug 2024
Non-Residential House Parent
Key Aspects of Role
To provide excellent care for boarders at Oxford International College whilst leading and managing an individual boarding house in accordance with the current minimum Ofsted Framework (SCIFF) and the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools (5 Sept 2022).
Support the provision of a stable, comfortable and secure Boarding environment in which students can develop self-reliance with managed support and guidance. Establish parent trust in the safeguarding of their children and support the House Manager in the efficient running of the boarding residence.
Whether residential or non-residential, House Parent will share fully in the life of the whole boarding community, contributing to the running of social and other events to sustain and develop the whole community.
Residential House Parents are expected to live within our Boarding Houses and assist with our students’ morning routine. This involves waking them up, getting them to breakfast and ensuring they are ready for the day. They may also be called upon on an emergency when in residence, or to help with fire drills. To support the running of the house and care of the students,
Residential House Parents are given accommodation on site that includes all bills/council tax and Wi-Fi. All staff are also entitled to free meals in our canteen.
Residential House Parents are given accommodation on site that includes all bills/council tax and Wi-Fi. All staff are also entitled to free meals in our canteen.
The position of House Parent is on a two-week rolling shift pattern, working every other weekend.
Reports to:
- Boarding Manager
Areas of Responsibility:
General
- Ensure the implementation and maintenance of National Minimum Standards within boarding house practices and processes.
- Help provide a safe and homely environment for boarders in their house and safeguard their welfare.
- Be aware of, and comply with, current health and safety, safeguarding and child protection legislation and procedures, and to uphold the school’s policy on child protection.
- Partake and ensure the daily registrations are carried out effectively and according to school policy, with any absences immediately tracked down and accounted for.
- Contribute to developing within the students a sense of collective responsibility and sensitivity for the wellbeing of others, encouraging support and help for each other as appropriate.
- Support the provision of evening weekend activities for boarding students.
- Take a flexible approach to your duties with a willingness to ‘muck in’. This role is both a challenging and rewarding role.
- Be proactive in liaising with students about Exeat applications, and detailed arrangements for student arrival and departures for vacations or beginning and end of term.
- Be on duty two days before the arrival of students to welcome students and to help them settle in, and two days after the departure of the students for the purposes of boarding inset, and to assist in the packing, clearing and checking of the rooms and houses.
Student Behaviour, Welfare and Leadership
- Be actively involved in the care and welfare of the boarders in the house and nurture a feeling of respect and trust between boarders and staff working in the house.
- Participate in the establishment of a boarding environment which is supportive and provides clear boundaries and expectations of behaviour both individually and to each other.
- Monitor academic behaviour and issues, liaising with teaching staff, and your House boarding team to ensure a consistent and coordinated approach to the students’ attainment and wellbeing.
- Communicate regularly with your House Manager, the Welfare Team and Strategy Tutors on issues relating to the general welfare and wellbeing of boarding students, especially where there are concerns.
- Attend to student’s minor medical needs, and liaise with the school nurses or HCSAs, the Boarding Manager, teachers and other staff as necessary concerning student wellbeing.
- Adhere to the college’s procedures for dispensing, storing and recording of medications.
- Ensure the maintenance of student medical records immediately and following college procedures and policies. Any medical issue must be recorded and reported on ISAMS.
- Deal with routine and emergency medical appointments, including the escorting of students as needed to surgery or hospital where necessary after consultation with the House Manager.
- Initiate and support the provision of weekly informal activities available for those boarders who wish to participate in their downtime when on duty.
- Establish relationships based on trust and respect, being aware of the individual and their circumstances, needs, strengths and weaknesses of each student.
Domestic
- Actively engage with students in your boarding House to develop a relationship of knowledge, respect and trust.
- Act as Loco Parentis and lead by example by being an appropriate role model for all boarders in your House.
- Maintain a visual presence while on duty with the boarders, responding pro-actively to their needs.
- Be participative as part of the boarding team in ensuring the care and cleanliness of students and their living spaces, coordinating and liaising with other staff where appropriate.
- Ensure that issues concerning boarders are acted on swiftly and effectively.
Administration:
- Participate when on duty in ensuring daily registrations are carried out effectively and according to school policy. Any absences must be immediately tracked down and accounted for.
- Ensure all key monitoring files are maintained.
- Maintaining detailed student records paying particular attention to confidentiality, privacy and sensitivity of issues.
- Regularly update documentation relating to boarding student, parent and CPOMs files.
- Report through CPOMs any welfare or mental health concerns about students within two hours.
- Liaise through CPOMs with Strategy Tutors to ensure every boarder fulfils their academic potential and performance.
- Play your direct role in ensuring the appropriate student records are kept up to date.
- Ensure Medical records and medicines are always kept safe and secure.
Responsibility and Reporting relationships:
- This role is responsible to the House Manager for all boarding matters within the boarding house, keeping them informed of any significant issues relating to the behaviour and well-being of boarders and boarding staff.
- Undertake any required training to enable duties to be carried out and standards adhered to.
- Attend meetings and be willing to communicate relevant information to the House Manager.
Experience:
- SVQ3 Qualification in Health & Social Care or equivalent.
- Proven track record in boarding or childcare setting.
- Experience of pastoral care of students in an educational setting.
- Safeguarding experience and training up to Level 2.
- Comprehensive First Aid Training including first response.
Attributes:
- Self-motivated, confident, committed and enthusiastic.
- Full emotional and physical resilience, energy and perseverance.
- Kind, patient, friendly and approachable, with flexibility and empathy.
- Passionate about the development of young people.
- Appreciation and understanding of the context of international education, with sensitivity to the diverse needs of international students and their families.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Organisational and administrative skills with good levels of digital competence.
- Able to remain calm and professional under pressure.
- A sense of humour is a definite bonus.
Hours of Work:
- Two week shift pattern rotation which requires the House Parent to be on the premises at the Boarding Houses during hours set by the rota. This includes morning check ins (residential), contributing to the evening and alternate weekends.
- 9 weeks holiday, including public holidays. Note that 6 weeks must be taken between 1st July and mid-August, and approximately 2 weeks over the Christmas period.
- All leave to be approved by the Director of Boarding.
