Senior Houseparent in Cambridge

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.

Responsibilities

• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Please apply through the TES website or for further information and an application form please contact emma.warner@dukeseducation.com