Assistant Boarding House Parent
Description
Part Time Boarding House Assistant Role Profile
We provide an enriching education of the highest standard which allows our pupils to achieve both success and, experience failure in a safe and supportive environment. Staff, pupils and parents share the fundamental expectation of a positive attitude to learning. We nurture our pupils, encouraging them to develop a Growth Mindset to ensure they become resilient and persevere in the face of challenges. Happy, respectful, internationally minded pupils, staff and parents are the core of our community. We support our pupils and staff to constantly develop and improve themselves. We do this as a team, without exception.
The Boarding House Assistant position is a pastoral one. They will need to be available to reside overnight as and when required according to the requirements of the boarding house and on rostered duty periods and will have a responsibility to support the day-to-day care of Boarding students during such periods and whilst the Boarders are in residence.
Responsible to:
Head of Boarding
Boarding Houseparents
ISP Principles
● Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential Safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
● Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.
● Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
● Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.
● Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.
Assistant Houseparent Key Responsibilities:
● Ensure the safety and security of boarders at all times, maintaining a vigilant and proactive approach.
● Support Houseparents in overseeing the welfare, health, safety, discipline, and care of students.
● Uphold the Boarding Schools National Minimum Standards within the scope of the role.
2. House Operations and Management
● Assist in managing daily house routines, including bedtimes, prep, wake-up calls, breakfast, and ensuring students board the school bus.
● Complete and record daily room checks, providing feedback to boarders.
● Supervise boarders in changing bed linen and towels weekly, and in washing and drying their personal clothing items.
● Ensure the house is securely locked at night before leaving the premises.
● Supervise boarders in packing and clearing bedrooms and bathrooms before school holidays.
● Assist the Housekeeper in preparing the house for handover at the beginning and end of the academic year.
3. Academic and Recreational Support
● Support boarders during study periods, ensuring a quiet and focused environment.
● Arrange and accompany students on trips and excursions, coordinating with the Senior Houseparent.
● Provide or supervise recreational evening activities for students once a week.
● Keep accurate records of incidents, concerns, and communications with parents, logging them in the ‘Day Book’ and writing handover notes at the end of each shift.
● Assist international boarders in processing legal documents and requirements by accompanying them to relevant offices.
● Be willing to prepare meals for boarders as needed, particularly on weekends, holidays, and special occasions.
● Occasionally drive students to school, boarding activities, medical appointments, and legal offices.
● Provide transport to and from local airports on travel days.
WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
● All boarding staff should be flexible to the operational needs of the House and therefore, if required, are able and willing to work and provide cover in the event of another staff member's unexpected absence. If necessary, remain in the boarding house during the daytime, overnight, or any other time deemed necessary and as requested by the Houseparent or the Head of Boarding adhering to safeguarding policies and procedures..
● Provide/supervise a recreational evening house activity for students each week.
● To be on duty three working weekdays and the weekend before the start of the Autumn term and then one full day on either side of each term and half term holidays.
● Uphold the highest level of safety and security for boarders at all times.
● Be aware of safeguarding procedures and practices in relation to boarders as well as in relation to their leave requests, for evenings and weekends as well as their holiday travel arrangements.
● All Boarding staff are expected to co-operate and support other colleagues in the performance of their individual roles.
GENERAL
● The post holder’s duties must at all times be carried out in compliance with the School’s policies.
● The post holder must take reasonable care for the health and safety of self, other persons and resources whilst at work, co-operating with management as far as necessary to enable responsibilities under the School’s Health and Safety Policy.
● The AH will normally be entitled to two days off duty per week except for the first and last week of each term when it will be one day. They must be prepared to be flexible at all times depending on the staffing needs of the Boarding House.
● House staff will be required to adjust their normal weekly days off when there is a public (Fiesta) holiday in order to provide full staff cover and accommodate the needs of the boarding house, this will include all regional and national fiesta days.
● To be on duty during fiesta and statutory holiday days when boarders are resident.
● The Head of Boarding must be informed prior to any personal visitors whom you wish to invite, at least 24 hours before arriving at the boarding house. Adult visitors who have satisfactory mandatory police checks and clearance in place will be permitted to visit when boarders are in the house.
● Staff accommodation is provided during school term times if it is deemed necessary to provide overnight staff cover.
● On occasions, house-staff may remain in the boarding house during a school holiday period, with prior permission from the Head of Boarding. However, accommodation is only available between September and June after which all staff must vacate the premises by the end of June (actual dates to be advised).
● Breakfast and evening meals will be provided during term time only.
● Disclosure of confidential information including salary and personal contractual agreements with the employer is considered to be a serious breach of trust and may result in disciplinary procedures being implemented.
● Staff are expected to comply with the School’s Staff Code of Conduct and Staff Dress Code at all times.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience:
● Experience in pastoral roles as well as in fields where strong communication and administrative skills are essential, and a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
● Languages: a level of English is essential; Spanish is desirable
● Have a passion for working with young people, from a diverse community
● A commitment to getting the best outcomes for all staff, pupils and parents and promoting the ethos and values of the school
● An approachable manner and excellent interpersonal skills
● Have a willingness to learn new skills, improve systems and develop the role
● Be committed to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people.
ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
ISP is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.
ISP Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.