Boarding House Manager

We are looking for a Boarding House Manager to join the team at a college in Oxford. You will provide excellent care for boarders whilst leading and managing an individual boarding house in accordance with the current minimum Ofsted Framework and the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Colleges. You will play a key role in our drive to raise the quality of boarding to an outstanding level. As the link between students, parents and the academic side of the college, we are looking for our Home Managers to lead the way in creating and maintaining a home from home environment. You have responsibility for the all-round welfare and success of the young people in your boarding house.

General

• To proactively provide and maintain a safe and homely environment for boarders in their house and to safeguard their welfare, playing an active part in weekend activities.
• To stay up to date with and comply with current health and safety, safeguarding and child protection legislation and procedures, and to uphold the college's policy on child protection.
• To be responsible for the safety and whereabouts of the students in your boarding house.
• To help ensure boarding staff, parents and students all understand the aims and objectives of boarding in the House and the principles on which community life in the house is based.
• To develop strong relationships within the house based on trust and respect so that the students develop a sense of collective responsibility and sensitivity for the wellbeing of themselves and others, encouraging support and help for each other as appropriate.
• To undertake the duties and responsibilities of a Houseparent as stated in the generic Resident House Parent job description.
• To be in residence for 48 hours (2 days) prior to the beginning of term and similarly after the end of term to oversee the preparation or closing of the boarding house.
• To undertake any responsibilities as reasonably required by the Head of Boarding.

Management

• Lead, manage and support a mixed team of Boarding Staff to ensure excellence in the delivery of boarding provision as measured by the experience and wellbeing of all boarding students.
• Foster a sense of House identity and spirit by encouraging students to participate actively in House activities and by supporting such events as a figurehead for the House.
• Communicate, initiate and first arrange cover for boarding duties due to emergency circumstances, for requisite training or staff absences either from within the team and from the wider boarding community.
• Liaise with and oversee the performance of support and agency staff who may be working in the boarding house, reporting back to HoB if any concerns.
• Initiate monthly meetings with your immediate team to share information and raise any arising issues or concerns.
• Attend fortnightly Home Manager meetings with HoB to share and discuss management issues or to share ideas for development of the way we create a nurturing but also clearly defined boundary environment for both our staff and students.
• Ensure that boarding house protocols are consistently adhered to e.g. dispensing, storing and recording of medicines.

Responsibility and Reporting Relationships

This role is responsible to the Head of Boarding for all boarding matters within the boarding house, always keeping them fully informed of any significant issues relating to the behaviour and well-being of boarders and boarding staff. The Head of Boarding is there to provide support where circumstances mean matters are not able to be managed within the House and always in case of a 'suspected' missing student. To take a flexible approach to your duties, overnight and weekend supervision will be required and a willingness to 'muck in'. This role is both a challenging and rewarding role.

Experience

• Degree level education or higher.
• Proven track record with teaching/boarding experience.
• Minimum five years' experience in a boarding environment, at least three years at senior parenting level.
• BSA Boarding qualification is desirable.
• Excellent record as a teacher or middle/senior leader, with evidence of ability to manage staff and implement whole college strategies.
• Safeguarding experience and training up to Level 3 + in person DSL component.
• Comprehensive First Aid Training including first response.

Attributes

• Ability to inspire and develop students and staff.
• 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.
• Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organisational, administrative and management skills with high levels of digital competence.
• Able to shoulder responsibility and prioritise, meet deadlines and remain calm and professional under pressure.
• A sense of humour is a definite bonus.

Working Hours

Two week shift pattern rotation which requires the House Parent to be on the premises at the Boarding House during hours set by the rota. This includes every morning check in between 8am and 11am, and contributing to the evening and alternate weekends. All staff on duty must carry a duty phone and will work in a rotating shift pattern that varies from week to week. The average week adds up to 45 hours. 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 Head of Boarding. Must be contactable by the college 24/7 hours in the case of an emergency. This must be treated with respect by all and through your communication with your direct team will define what circumstances equate to such an emergency.

Pension, free meals during term-time, access to counselling services.