2026 UK Night Guardian

Job Type: Residential, Full-time

Reports to: Centre Director

Dates: 30th June to 1st August 2026

Location: London King’s, London Uxbridge, Reading, Guildford, Worcester, Dover, Oxford, Edinburgh

Mission Statement

Move Language Ahead is committed to providing industry leading safe, educational, and cultural programmes to students from around the world. Students, families, and agents from around the world have chosen MLA for the quality of our language courses, for the established trust of our brand, and for the meticulous attention to detail in our packages.

MLA Welfare and Safeguarding Statement

MLA is committed to the welfare and safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk. All students should expect to feel safe within all areas of our seasonal programme. The primary concern at all times is the interests and safety of each student and the organisation takes all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination or degrading treatment and to uphold their rights.

MLA staff working with young learners will all go through our safer recruitment process including online or face-to-face interviews, record checks of references and background checks, in line with the country’s regulations, to ensure they are able to work with young people, provide evidence of qualifications and work experience as part of the process and according to our Safeguarding Policy, Preventing Sexual Harassment and Prevent Policy.

Position Overview

Responsible for the student safety and wellbeing during MLA quiet hours.

• Full-time summer employment from mid-June – mid-August
• Reports to Centre Director and Welfare Manager
• 6 working days per week (10pm to 3am)
• 1 day off per week
• Residential employment includes all meals and accommodation

Through duty of care and curfew enforcement as well as safeguarding to ensure students are safe at night, you will respond to any emergency on site. The role provides overnight oversight of residential accommodation, responding promptly and appropriately to welfare, safeguarding and emergency situations.

Requirements

Essential

• Must have a UK passport/right to work in the UK, and a valid DBS (England & Wales) or PVG (Scotland). If you’re based outside the UK, also a Criminal Record Check from your country of residence
• Proven suitability with students under 18: at least 2 references.
• Be proficient in the use of IT.

Desirable

• Previous experience in a supervisory, residential, security, or care-related role
• Experience working with children, young people, or international students
• First Aid training or willingness to obtain
• Experience in residential education or boarding environments

Person Specification

• Ability to remain calm, alert, and responsible during overnight hours
• Strong awareness of safeguarding and duty-of-care responsibilities
• Good communication and record-keeping skills
• Reliable, punctual, and able to work independently
• Ability to follow procedures and escalate concerns appropriately
• Willingness to work overnight shifts, including weekends
• Ability to develop positive relationships with students, earning their trust whilst maintaining proper professional boundaries
• Ability to establish excellent relationships with our clients and service providers, especially the Group Leaders bringing students from abroad
• Team player
• Ability to provide safety and welfare assistance to students
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and interpersonal)
• Display absolute commitment to the highest standards of professional behaviour
• Ability to work long hours in a high-pressure environment
• Passion for working with youth
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Ability to be pleasant, polite, and cooperative

Schedule

As a Night Guardian you will be contracted to work 30 hours a week from 10pm to 3am, 6 days a week with one full day off every week. At the end of every week, you’ll be required to confirm and sign off on your worked hours to ensure everything is accurately recorded.

Key Position Accountabilities

• Provide overnight supervision of junior students within residential accommodation.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to student needs during the night, including illness, homesickness, or distress.
• Ensure students adhere to curfews and residential rules.
• Conduct regular checks of accommodation areas in line with centre procedures.
• Monitor building security, including access points, fire safety, and emergency exits.
• Respond to alarms, emergencies, or incidents during the night.
• Liaise with emergency services where necessary, following MLA emergency procedures.
• Ensure health & safety incidents are recorded accurately and reported promptly.
• Accurately record night-time incidents, checks, and student interactions in centre logs.
• Complete handover reports for day staff, ensuring continuity of care.
• Promote the welfare of students and adhere to, and comply with the Safeguarding Policy.

Training & CPD

• Complete all required pre-employment training.
• Attend the in-person induction training and take an active part in discussions.
• Read and understand MLA policies sent during the recruitment process.
• Read, understand and adhere to the guidelines set out in your Handbook.
• Be open to feedback during appraisals and set your own developmental goals for you to work on during your time with MLA.
• Request guidance on and actively seek professional development to improve your skills.

Administrative Duties

• Complete night logs, incident reports, and welfare records accurately and on time.
• Record room checks, student movements, and any welfare interactions during the shift.
• Maintain clear and detailed handover notes for day staff and centre management.
• Support the accurate updating of student welfare records in line with data protection requirements.
• Assist with administrative follow-up after incidents, as directed by centre management.
• Ensure all documentation is stored securely and confidentially.

Safeguarding & Welfare

• Promoting the welfare of students and comply with the Safeguarding Policy.
• Constantly monitor student and staff safety and welfare, addressing any concerns promptly and effectively.
• Assist the Centre Director and Welfare Manager with communicating to staff and guests site-specific emergency evacuation and preparedness plans.
• Maintain 24-hour on-call emergency assistance for the centre.
• Address any guest or staff concerns and properly document and report concerns.
• Be aware of any specific safeguarding needs of minors (those under the age of 18).

Liaising

• Maintain clear communication with on-call managers, welfare staff, and accommodation teams overnight.
• Participate in daily handovers and briefings as required.
• Represent MLA professionally in all interactions.
• Liaise with campus Public Safety on matters of campus security and emergency management.

Residence Hall Supervision

• Conduct regular rounds of the residence hall(s) to ensure students are respecting curfew and quiet hours.
• Patrol and monitor hallways, stairwells, outside facilities, and other public and unsupervised places of the campus to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff and the security of the facility.
• Challenge unauthorized visitors and escort them to exits; report if necessary.
• Conduct room inspections, as directed, to ensure rooms are kept clean and emergency exits clear of obstructions.
• Report maintenance issues to the Centre Manager for reporting to the campus liaison(s).

Compensation

Residential Activity Manager GBP 500 weekly. Holiday pay (12.07%) will be added to rates. Inclusive of holiday pay up to GBP 560 weekly.

Paid training and induction.

Work as part of a strong team and gain experience.

Opportunities for professional development e.g. appraisals, opportunities for promotion.

Complimentary room and full board as part of the compensation package.

MLA Reputation and Code of Conduct

To actively support MLA in its mission to provide quality learning.

To provide courses that will challenge the students (realise their potential) and work together to reach their academic targets and support them.

To comply with management requests to follow the guidelines of external organisations such as British Council in a timely and accurate manner.

To be dressed in a presentable professional way and always start on time and if this is not possible to inform your manager as early as possible.

Develop a good rapport with the students and Group Leaders and avoid absences as much as possible.

There is a specific list of what code of conduct we expect from all staff members in our Staff Handbook.

MLA Equality Statement

Move Language Ahead is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, marital status, being pregnant or on maternity leave, race (including ethnic or national origin, nationality and colour), disability, sexual orientation or expression, religion, beliefs, or any other non-job related criteria.