Job Description: Senior Houseparent
Location: Cardiff Sixth Form College, Cambridge
Reports to: Housemaster
Contract Type: Permanent, live-in (term-time)
Job Purpose
As the Senior Houseparent, you will play a leadership role in the pastoral and residential life of boarding students. You will help to create a safe, supportive “home away from home” environment, lead a team of boarding staff, and ensure high standards of welfare, discipline, and community are maintained in accordance with safeguarding regulations and the college ethos.
Key Responsibilities
1. Leadership & Management
- Line-manage and support the boarding team – including duty rotas, training, and performance.
- Act as a senior presence in boarding, leading by example in pastoral care, behaviour management, and staff conduct.
- In the absence of the Housemaster, take responsibility for wider boarding house management.
- Help ensure the boarding house complies with relevant regulations (e.g., National Minimum Standards (NMS) for Boarding, independent schools’ regulations).
2. Pastoral Care & Student Welfare
- Be resident in the boarding house during term times (except when off-duty), providing a visible and accessible presence for students.
- Provide emotional, social, and practical support to students, acting “in loco parentis” as needed.
- Monitor student wellbeing, behaviour, academic engagement, and social integration; escalate safeguarding or welfare concerns to the appropriate leads.
- Facilitate mentoring and one-to-one pastoral guidance; support students in developing resilience, independence, and community responsibility.
3. Boarding Operations & House Administration
- Oversee day-to-day residential routines: wake-up, curfews, maintenance checks, evening and weekend duties.
- Maintain accurate records related to student welfare (e.g., incident logs, medical records, behaviour)
- Administer or supervise first aid provision; liaise with medical staff or external health services.
- Ensure health, safety, and security in the boarding house: fire procedures, visitor supervision, building maintenance.
- Work with facilities/maintenance teams to report and manage any repairs or upkeep required in the house.
4. Community & Enrichment
- Lead or support the planning and delivery of weekend, evening, and holiday activities (social, cultural, educational) that foster community, engagement, and student wellbeing.
- Promote a positive, inclusive house culture; encourage students to take responsibility for community standards, common areas, and mutual respect.
- Liaise with parents/guardians, keeping them informed about their child’s pastoral progress, boarding experience, and any concerns.
5. Administration & Reporting
- Write boarding reports or termly reflections as part of the college’s pastoral reporting system.
- Maintain up-to-date records of student contact details, medical needs, leave arrangements, and emergency contacts.
- Prepare for and participate in boarding inspections, audits, or regulatory reviews.
- Attend and contribute to pastoral, safeguarding, boarding, and senior leadership meetings where appropriate.
6. Safeguarding & Compliance
- Uphold and model best practice safeguarding standards in line with the college’s policies and UK legislation.
- Ensure all boarding staff are trained in safeguarding, first aid, fire safety, and other required areas.
- Be familiar with and enforce policies around student conduct, leave arrangements, and behaviour management.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Significant experience working in a boarding, pastoral or residential environment (preferably with young people aged 16–19).
- Previous experience in a supervisory or management role (e.g., leading a team of house staff).
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
- High level of emotional intelligence, resilience, and empathy.
- Understanding of safeguarding and child protection frameworks in the UK.
- Willingness to live on-site during term time (or when on duty).
- Enhanced DBS check (or equivalent) and willingness to participate in staff safeguarding training.
- Right to work in the UK.
Desirable:
- Experience working in a sixth-form college or with international students.
- First Aid qualification.
- Knowledge of National Minimum Standards (NMS) for Boarding.
- Experience organising enrichment activities, weekend trips, or student events.
Terms & Conditions / Benefits
- Live-in accommodation provided during term time.
- Meals provided during duty periods / term time.
- Pension scheme
- Leave: scheduled days off, rota of evening/weekend duties, holiday entitlement per college terms.
- Professional development: training in safeguarding, first aid, boarding practice, pastoral care.
To apply please contact emma.warner@dukeseducation.com for an application form.
