Welfare Manager in London

Take a leading role in supporting students' well-being.

Role Overview

In this role you'll gain advanced experience in safeguarding leadership as part of the Senior Management Team and Deputy DDSL, while developing expertise in pastoral care. You'll lead and manage teams of medical, welfare, and support staff, enhancing crisis management, communication, and organisational skills. The role offers networking opportunities and the chance to contribute to a positive, inclusive Team Orange culture.

Main roles and accountability

• Safeguarding Accountabilities: Together with the Centre Manager, you lead the safeguarding team by implementing Exsportise's safeguarding and child protection policies, ensuring all concerns are addressed appropriately. Serve as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), deputising for the Centre Manager as needed, with responsibility for following up, recording, and escalating concerns properly. Assist the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with online safety and filtering alongside IT providers. Ensure all staff and group leaders understand safeguarding policies and their responsibilities. Receive and record welfare concerns, working proactively with the Centre Manager and statutory agencies to manage risks, make referrals, and maintain communications.
• In partnership with the Centre Manager, you are responsible for the overall safety, welfare, and behaviour of students and staff, ensuring compliance with rules and discipline. You deputise for the Centre Manager and House Parents during their absences to maintain smooth welfare operations. You manage student feedback systems, monitor completion of student journals, and raise concerns promptly. Monitor mealtimes and social interactions for wellbeing and integration. Ensure risk assessments, fire drills, and health & safety reporting are completed. Provide guidance to House Parents and oversee their duties, including welfare checks and fire safety. Oversee student arrivals and departures, ensuring settling and communication with home. Co‑lead Welcome Meetings and maintain a visible presence during key times. Liaise with domestic and maintenance teams on welfare matters, review accidents, and coordinate communications with parents, agents, and Head Office.
• Medical Accountabilities: Run daily welfare meetings with House Parents, ensure late‑arriving staff receive induction, participate in appraisal processes, support new staff professionally, and assist Events Managers with evening staff coordination and daytime activity setup. Work with Head Office to foster a cohesive and inclusive Team Orange culture supporting staff retention and performance.
• Staffing Accountabilities: Ensure latecomers receive induction, take part in performance management with the Centre Manager, provide extra support for new staff, assist in coordinating evening events staff, and ensure activities are set up during breaks and for early arrivals/late departures.
• Additional Duties: Assist with office tasks, coordinate boarding house setup with Administrators and House Parents, oversee lost property procedures, attend daily staff meetings, adhere to Staff Handbook guidelines, support camp logistics with setup and pack‑down, and perform other reasonable duties as required.

About you

All staff are responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the centre while upholding the highest standards of safety and care. We look for Team Members who are friendly, positive, and approachable, who remain calm and professional in all situations. Staff must be reliable role models with high personal standards, respect confidentiality and professional boundaries, work effectively as team players contributing to a positive environment, and fully embrace the Team Orange spirit.

Job Specific Personal Specification & Qualifications: To be suitable for this role, you possess native or near‑native competence in written and spoken English (minimum CEFR C1 level), with at least 2 years' experience in pastoral or welfare roles, preferably in residential or boarding schools with international students. You hold valid Advanced Safeguarding (formerly Level 2), HSE‑recognised First Aid (3 days / 18 hours), and "Administration of medication in schools" certificates (with Exsportise providing refreshers), plus working knowledge of Boarding Schools' national minimum standards and safeguarding best practices. You demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity, trustworthiness and discretion, excellent communication at all levels, strong leadership, high organisation with superior time management, independent thinking and effective problem‑solving, flexibility under pressure with multitasking ability, professionalism in language, appearance, and conduct, adaptability to working hours, proficiency in MS Office and Google Drive, willingness to learn, and a customer‑focused mindset.

To Apply

Are you enthusiastic about working with young people, committed to safeguarding, a strong team player, flexible about residential hours, appropriately qualified for your chosen role, and excited by a lively – and at times demanding – international summer school environment? If so, submit your application now.

All staff must pass employment checks, including confirmation that they are not barred from working with children. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to attempt to apply for a position with us. Working with Exsportise involves direct contact with vulnerable children and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.