At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students' welfare and safety in a vibrant residential language centre.
- Company: Join Oxford International Junior Programmes, a leader in student support.
- Benefits: Earn £605 per week plus holiday pay while gaining valuable experience.
- Other info: Flexible hours, exciting seasonal programmes, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while enjoying a dynamic work environment.
- Qualifications: Must be enrolled in or have a university degree; experience with young people is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 36828 - 45012 £ per year.
Welfare Assistant - Residential
Department
Year-Rounds Groups
Employment Type
Fixed Term - Full Time
Location
EFL Programmes UK
Compensation
- £605 per week + holiday remuneration
- Description
Our seasonal programmes operate during the following periods
- Winter: 1st January – mid-February
- Spring: 23rd March – 10th/12th April
- Summer: 23rd/24th June – 12th/17th August
Specific start and end dates will be confirmed based on your role, assigned centre, and required induction training.
Overview
As a Welfare Assistant with Oxford International Junior Programmes, you will play a key role within the Student Support Team, working under the direction of the Welfare Manager to deliver outstanding welfare, safeguarding and pastoral care across one of our residential language centres.
You will provide visible welfare support throughout the day, helping to ensure students remain safe, supported and engaged while contributing to the smooth day-to-day running of the centre.
Welfare Assistants are deployed across a range of operational duties including student welfare, meal supervision, break-time cover, night duty, airport arrivals, excursions and other welfare responsibilities.
You will work flexibly across the programme to provide support wherever it is most needed while maintaining student welfare as your highest priority.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Welfare Team Operations
Support the Welfare Manager by
- Providing visible welfare cover across the centre throughout the day.
- Being deployed across break times, meal times and transition periods to ensure appropriate student supervision.
- Supporting the supervision of communal areas and maintaining a safe environment.
- Responding to welfare concerns as they arise and escalating appropriately.
- Supporting student movement around the centre.
- Assisting the wider Senior Team with operational welfare duties where required.
- Remaining flexible to changing operational priorities.
- 2. Break Time, Mealtime & Night Duty
- Supervising students during meal times.
- Supporting dining hall organisation and student behaviour.
- Monitoring student welfare during break periods.
- Completing allocated night duty shifts.
- Carrying out room checks and welfare checks where required.
- Responding to overnight incidents appropriately.
- Recording and reporting welfare concerns arising during duty.
- Working closely with the Welfare Manager to ensure appropriate staffing across all welfare duties.
- 3. Student Welfare & Pastoral Care
- Providing high-quality pastoral care to students.
- Supporting students experiencing homesickness, anxiety or emotional wellbeing concerns.
- Building positive relationships with students.
- Being visible and approachable throughout the programme.
- Supporting student discipline positively.
- Escalating welfare concerns immediately.
- Supporting safeguarding procedures.
- Ensuring students know how to access welfare support.
- 4. Airport Arrivals & Departures
- Being allocated to a designated airport or arrival location on transfer days.
- Welcoming students and Group Leaders on arrival.
- Supporting student registration and arrival procedures.
- Assisting with luggage, documentation and student check-in.
- Communicating with the Centre Manager regarding arrivals.
- Escorting groups safely onto transfer coaches.
- Supporting departure procedures where required.
- Maintaining a professional and welcoming first impression of Oxford International.
- 5. Welfare Administration & Student Records
- Assisting with student registration records.
- Recording incidents using Proactive.
- Maintaining welfare logs.
- Recording attendance.
- Monitoring absences.
- Reporting unexplained absences.
- Recording illnesses.
- Recording allergies.
- Recording dietary requirements.
- Maintaining confidentiality.
- 6. Medical Support
- Provide basic first aid.
- Respond appropriately to illness.
- Support students attending appointments.
- Liaise with medical providers where directed.
- Report all medical concerns promptly.
- 7. Individual Student Co-Ordination
- Helping individual students to settle into life in the UK and meeting them on arrival
- Accompanying individual students on excursions and during onsite activities
- Organising regular meetings and maintaining clear communication
- Ensuring students money/passports are secure.
- 8. The Activity Programme
- Support the Activity Team where operationally required.
- Deliver activities when allocated.
- Encourage participation.
- Maintain welfare while supporting activities.
- Assist Activity Leaders where required.
- Ensure students remain safe throughout activities.
- Work collaboratively with the Activities Team.
- 9. The Excursion Programme
- Support student welfare throughout excursions.
- Monitor student wellbeing.
- Support vulnerable students.
- Assist with headcounts.
- Support behaviour management.
- Communicate concerns immediately.
- Support Activity Leaders where required.
- 10. Student Inductions
- Support student arrivals.
- Help students settle in.
- Explain welfare support.
- Reinforce site rules.
- Explain fire procedures.
- Promote safeguarding awareness.
Expectations
- Put student welfare first.
- Represent Oxford International professionally.
- Be approachable.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Be visible around centre.
- Work collaboratively with the Activities Team.
- Support the Welfare Manager.
- Respond positively to feedback.
- Remain flexible.
- Uphold safeguarding.
Person Specifications
- Legal status
- Right to work in the Uk
- Willing to undergo an Enhanced DBS check and/or an Overseas Police Check, where applicable.
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in, or holding, a university degree programme in any discipline.
- Currently enrolled in, or undertaking, a university degree in a health-related discipline (e. g., Nursing, Medicine, Public Health, Allied Health Sciences, or a related field). (Desirable)
Experience and knowledge
- Experience working with children or young people.
Skills and Abilities
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Personal qualities
- A caring, approachable and supportive attitude.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure.
- A proactive approach to solving problems.
- Flexible approach to working across welfare and activity duties.
- Commitment to safeguarding.
- Genuine enthusiasm for working with international students.
- Strong work ethic
- Disclaimer
This job description is provided as a guide to the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive description of duties and responsibilities and may be subject to periodic revision.
Oxford International is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service and, where appropriate, online searches of publicly available information as part of our safer recruitment procedures.
Oxford International is an equal opportunity employer.
Every applicant and employee has the same opportunities regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date should we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Welfare Assistant - Residential employer: Oxford International
Oxford International is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where legal professionals can thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and collaboration across diverse teams, ensuring that our Legal Counsel plays a pivotal role in shaping our international operations. Our inclusive culture fosters innovation and supports a balanced work-life approach, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Welfare Assistant - Residential
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
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We think you need these skills to ace Welfare Assistant - Residential
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Oxford International:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Oxford International! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford International
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
