House Parent

As a House Parent, your role will be to provide top quality pastoral care and academic support for our students, making them feel part of our college community and encouraging them in their journey towards independent living at university and beyond. The role will involve upholding student welfare, maintaining discipline and assisting students with their academic time management and study skills. You will support the students’ development; socially, emotionally and physically.

Success will depend on building a positive relationship with students and delivering a high level of ‘duty of care’.

• Pastoral and Academic Development of Boarders
• Know each student personally and be concerned for their development – academic, social and personal welfare.
• Management of House information and systems by ensuring that the student notice-boards are kept up to date; signing in/out procedures are adhered to; visitor times are regulated; non-smoking or alcohol policies are maintained.
• Planning, running and supporting after school and weekend activities such as clubs, sports, trips, in and around Cambridge as well as further afield. Organising social activities some evenings for the students in the house to create a community spirt.
• Conduct wake up calls to ensure that students attend school on time. Checking student rooms each night, ensuring that all students are in their rooms by the curfew time. Following up on any attendance and lateness issues. Ensure that the behaviour and attendance policies are being followed.
• Supporting the House Matron/Matron in cases of student illness or injury by providing first aid, administering of medication, medical support and escorting students to emergency and routine medical appointments as required.
• Maintaining accurate medical records for students including being aware of any student in the house with an existing medical conditions e.g. asthma or allergies, or on medication.
• Undertake sign-out and curfew checks.
• To be an active member of the school community by attending school events including assemblies, parties, Charity Fairs, May Ball etc.
• Offer support and guidance to all boarders, promote student welfare, maintain discipline in the house and ensure that the behaviour policy is being followed.
• To be aware of and support students in the boarding house with learning needs (SEND) and social, emotion and mental health needs.
• To work with the wider team to ensure all accommodation is covered day and night as required to ensure and maintain student safety and to deal with any unexpected emergencies that may occur during the night. This may include a short term overnight stay in another residence.
• To take additional responsibility for a smaller group of students or ‘Huddle’, monitoring their wellbeing, academic progress and their development in collaboration with the student’s personal tutor. Holding regular meetings with the students, running activities, communicating home as appropriate and via termly reports.

(Please refer to the Applicant Info Pack on TES.com for full details)

Essential:

• A-levels or equivalent
• Confident using MS Word, Excel and Outlook
• Experience working within policies and procedures
• Strong communication skills, especially with diverse language backgrounds
• Understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding and child protection
• Empathetic, respectful and supportive approach to student care
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and stay calm under pressure

Desirable:

• Degree or relevant boarding qualifications
• Experience mentoring or supporting young people
• Familiarity with OFSTED/ISI frameworks and child protection legislation

You will be required to work on a rota covering day, evening, and weekend shifts. Initially you will work a 5 days-on, two days-off rota. Working 37.5 hours a week and up to 2 ‘sleep-ins’ per week. Sleep-ins are where you are required to be on call for students between 11pm and 7am. You will be required to sleep in a duty room outside of your normal accommodation in case of emergencies. You may also be required to be in your own accommodation, between the hours of 11pm and 7am, on up to 2 additional nights a week.

A salary of £24,287 per annum is offered.

Live-in House Parents will receive onsite city centre accommodation, utilities, wireless internet, and meals when on duty. These combined come to a value of £10,000 per annum. An accommodation charge no greater than the Government Accommodation rate, it currently sits below this rate at £2,500 per annum, will be made from your salary for those living in staff accommodation, this is reviewed on an annual basis.