Welfare Operations Manager

The Welfare Operations Manager at Summer Boarding Courses ensures the smooth running of the summer programme by combining key administrative duties with high‐quality pastoral care. The role manages financial records, staff and student paperwork, excursion preparation, and the organisation of a welcoming, efficient office. Working closely with the management team and Head Office, the post holder coordinates student arrivals and departures and provides essential operational support.

They also lead the site's welfare provision, overseeing House Teams, fostering safe and positive boarding communities, guiding staff on pastoral care, and chairing daily welfare meetings. Strong links with the SBC Admissions Team and accurate welfare record‐keeping are essential. This fast‐paced role requires excellent organisation, communication, and leadership skills to ensure students feel supported, safe, and well‐cared for throughout their stay.

SBC at Eton College offers international students aged 12‐16 the unique opportunity to study at one of the world’s most prestigious schools. Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, Eton College has a rich legacy, having educated 20 British Prime Ministers, along with countless authors, scientists, actors, Olympians, and explorers. The historic campus provides a truly inspiring environment, where students can immerse themselves in a setting that has shaped generations of leaders and visionaries – and where you will play a key role in shaping an unforgettable summer experience for them.

Ways we support our Welfare Operations Manager

• We will cover the full cost of a new DBS (if required) for your first contract working with SBC.
• Extensive, paid, on‐site training prior to student arrival.
• Accommodation included.
• CPD and Appraisals.
• Staff Wellbeing Initiative.
• Access to Employee Assist Programme (EAP).
• Continual support for all staff from the Head Office Team, both on the ground and via phone/email.
• Online safeguarding and prevent training.
• Professional, fun and supportive environment.
• Paid attendance to pre‐course Management Training.
• Paid attendance of a certified First Aid Course.

Main Duties

Student Welfare

• Assume overall responsibility for the welfare of all students.
• Be available and approachable to all students, addressing behavioural and emotional issues with professionalism, empathy, and positive reinforcement.
• Communicate with parents and Admissions Managers about welfare matters either by telephone or face to face.
• Advise and support staff in addressing unfamiliar student wellbeing issues.
• Monitor and manage student welfare through daily meetings with House Parents and regular communication with the summer staff, managers and SBC Admissions Team.
• Attend to unwell students, liaising with relevant staff, arrange healthcare appointments, and accompany them when necessary.
• Ensure medical policy compliance, monitor students' allergy and dietary needs, and provide feedback to site hosts on food standards.
• Be present during meal and break times, ensure supervision ratios, and the implementation of allergy and dietary processes to ensure student safety.
• Maintain comprehensive records of medication, incidents, sickness, and medical issues in line with SBC's Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.
• Assist in processing and responding to all Student Feedback.
• Coordinate on‐site student laundry procedures.
• Serve as a First Aider and complete First Aid training arranged by SBC.
• Complete the Level 2 Safeguarding Course and potentially take on the role of Site Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO).

Team Management

• Lead and manage House Teams, ensuring effective communication and smooth operations in creating safe, welcoming, and engaging boarding houses.
• Work with House Parents to establish routines, maintain appropriate student behaviour, and foster positive boarding communities.
• Provide guidance to House Parents during on‐call or overnight duties.
• Lead daily morning meetings with House Parents and support them in supervising sick students and addressing wellbeing concerns.
• Ensure accurate record‐keeping, including House Logs, registers, activity sign‐ups, medical records, and incident logs.
• Foster a positive relationship with the host school staff.
• Communicate with parents and Admissions Managers regarding welfare matters.
• Oversee the induction of new House staff, ensuring they are familiar with house routines, welfare policies, and record‐keeping requirements.

Financial Administration

• Oversee on‐site financial records, including receipts, petty cash, and spending tracking via Excel/banking apps.
• Assist with the collection and distribution of student pocket money.
• Maintain communication with the SBC Finance Team.

Excursion & Off‐Site Activity Management

• Follow Head Office guidelines to prepare for excursions, reconfirm bookings and prepare excursion packs with itineraries, registers, and risk assessments.
• Distribute and store excursion documents in line with SBC's Emergency and GDPR Procedures, brief staff on roles, and monitor transport logistics.

Office & Stock Management

• Manage the storage, distribution, and return of branding, office and IT stock and support resource purchasing ensuring compliance with guidelines.
• Oversee the setup and upkeep of the Summer School Office and staff room, ensuring spaces organised, clean and welcoming.
• Collaborate with Head Office to maintain smooth operation of office IT and phone systems.

Student Arrival & Departure Administration

• Coordinate with Transfer Managers to ensure transfer packs are prepared and distributed, and briefings are attended.
• Prepare documentation for student arrival and departure days, set up check‐in/departure rooms, prepare refreshments, and ensure professional first and last impressions.
• Assist with end‐of‐course administration, including questionnaires, reports and certificates.

HR and Staff Support

• Assist the HR team with onsite staff admin, including arrival packs, uniforms, and ID cards.
• Coordinate staff meals, socials, and budget planning with Course Leaders and Programme Managers.
• Provide administrative support across the programme to ensure smooth operations.

Teamwork & Communication

• Collaborate with the Management Team, attending meetings and maintaining open and proactive communication.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with students, staff, parents, agents, site hosts, and external stakeholders.
• Work with SBC Head Office to complete necessary paperwork and share updates.

Student Experience

• Encourage student engagement in the programme, promoting communication, confidence, and social skills.
• Promote a culture of equality, respect, and diversity, ensuring students adhere to the Student Code of Conduct and assisting staff in managing behaviour.
• Encourage student feedback and promptly address concerns or complaints.
• Contribute to hosting arrival and departure days, ensuring a welcoming and professional experience for students and parents.
• Support the safe delivery of the programme, covering sessions, attending off‐site activities & supporting breaks, meals, and welfare duties where needed.

Safety & Compliance

• Implement Health and Safety procedures, ensuring incidents are reported and risk assessments are followed.
• Keep staff informed of student welfare needs and maintain required welfare records.
• Ensure staff and students understand Emergency and Fire Evacuation procedures.
• Securely manage summer camp data, following GDPR and confidentiality policies.

Safeguarding Duties

• Be committed to the safeguarding and welfare of students in your care.
• Complete online safeguarding training and attend on‐site safeguarding training during induction week.
• To read and understand SBC's Safeguarding Policy, Staff Handbook, Operations Policy Handbook and Part 1 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (including annexes A & B).
• To be alert to the signs of abuse and neglect, and report any concerns to the DSO immediately (including low level concerns).
• To know what to do if a student tells a member of staff they are being abused, exploited or neglected.
• To help students understand how to keep themselves safe and manage risk; earning their trust while maintaining professional boundaries.

About You

All members of staff employed by SBC will be expected to bring certain key qualities to the operation. There must be a professional interest in working with young people and particularly international children. Safety and welfare of the students is of paramount importance at SBC and a practical enforcing of this belief should be a quality exhibited by all staff.

We look for staff who are:

• Approachable & empathic to the needs of students.
• Enthusiastic & engaging.
• Diplomatic, responsible & motivated.
• Flexible within the summer school environment.

We expect all SBC staff to be able to communicate effectively with our students, using an appropriate level of language to suit the group. SBC staff must demonstrate patience, empathy and an emotional awareness towards students both individually and in within a group setting. We expect all staff to take control of students and to manage discipline and behavioural issues in a firm, positive and constructive manner.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Essential

• Meticulous organisational skills.
• Strong communication skills, ability to work under pressure, flexibility.
• Experience of organising excursions, events or other logistical operations.
• Proven strong administrative skills, including good knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Experience of managing welfare and behavioural issues effectively.
• Proven professional experience of working in a medical or pastoral role with young people.
• An empathic manner and positive manner.
• The ability to guide, empower and support staff to best meet the pastoral and emotional needs of our students.

Desirable

• Previous residential summer school experience, ideally with international students.
• Experience of working within the education sector.
• Experience of using MS Teams as a communication tool.
• Experience of using Mail Merge and basic accounting administration tools.

About Us

Founded in 2008, Summer Boarding Courses have united students from around the world through education. Delivering award‐winning, future‐focused courses that strike the perfect balance between academic and social enrichment. Our courses unlock potential and ignite a spark for long‐term success. Our residential summer courses take place at some of the UK’s top boarding schools and university college campuses, including Eton College, Oxford University Colleges and Headington School. We carefully select our campuses to ensure that they provide the perfect environment for our students to live and study. Over 15,800 students from 152 nationalities have been welcomed to study with us to date. Whether it’s preparing for future studies, developing 21st‐century skills or building confidence, the knowledge gained on an SBC course allows students to go forward and apply what they have learnt to other areas of their education and beyond; giving them the necessary skills to achieve their future goals.

The EL Gazette publishes a league table based on British Council inspections, and SBC have been ranked Number 1 from 2018 to 2023. We are very proud of this achievement and will continue to grow and develop our courses to offer students extraordinary experiences. SBC is the only multi‐campus summer school provider in the UK to have achieved a perfect 15/15 areas of strength by the British Council. A true hallmark of educational quality.

TO APPLY

We want to make sure we do all we can to set candidates up for success in this process. If you require any adjustments to help you at interview and/or you have any questions at all, please contact us at: recruitment@summerboardingcourses.co.uk

Please note, as this post involves direct contact with vulnerable children, it is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected'. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account.

SHOULD YOU BE SUCCESSFUL

• Any gaps in your CV will be enquired about and must be explained satisfactorily.
• You will have to prove your Right to Work in the UK.
• You will provide the details of two recent and relevant referees who we will contact and specifically ask about your suitability to work with children and any concerns.
• You will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS), and equivalent if you live, or have lived, outside of the UK.
• You will be asked to state that you have no known reason why you cannot work with children.
• Official identification and certificates will be required for our records.
• Please be aware that SBC may conduct online searches for shortlisted candidates as part of our legal duty to meet out safeguarding duties.

SBC SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

Summer Boarding Courses is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We have a comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and procedures in place which all employees, volunteers and contractors are expected to adhere to.

SBC EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT

We operate a policy of equal opportunities and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of sex, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.