House Parent

Published at: 2024-01-09

In this pack you will find: a detailed job description, the minimum requirements for this role, the profile of an ideal candidate, information about the selection process, and an introduction to the company for on-course staff.

You can email us at recruitment@oxfordsummercourses.com if you have any questions.

Oxford Summer Courses, a Bridgemark company

Oxford Summer Courses is part of Bridgemark Education, founded by two school friends and Oxford graduates who wanted to open up exceptional educational journeys to more people. In 2021 we ran COVID-compliant in-person courses. Our approach is based on interactive teaching, growth mindsets, small group learning, and tutor autonomy. We channel our passion into making a positive impact on our surroundings whether that be our students, the wider community or the environment.

Apply now

Applications are open for 2024 courses. Find out more and explore other roles on our careers page.

Please note that only successful applicants will be contacted and that no terminology in this document is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

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Job Description

Job Title:

House Parent

Location:

Windsor or Harrow

Reports to:

Course Director and Deputy Course Director

Reports to you:

Course Coordinator

Pay rate:

£750 per week

Contract type:

Fixed term contract

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Main duties and responsibilities

As a House Parent, you’ll be responsible for the welfare, safeguarding, and discipline for a group of children taking part in our Juniors residential courses for international students aged 9‒12.

Location: Windsor or Harrow. Residential role at no extra cost to you, meals provided when on duty. You’ll work and live in one of the most prestigious independent school locations in the country. Participating in our social and cultural.

Pay and hours: £750 per week on a fixed term contract. Monday to Sunday up to 60 hours per week on a shift pattern with overnight duties, 1 day off per week.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Responsible for the constant welfare, safeguarding, and discipline of your group of 10-15 students, including taking a register at set times each day.
• Build rapport with students, set correct behaviour expectations and ensure swift and suitable response to any welfare or safeguarding issues.
• Support the Activity Manager in delivering the social and cultural programme by being prepared for activities, leading excursions and day trips.
• Manage the performance and behaviour of a small team of Course Coordinators.
• Manage and record the cost of delivering the course for your group in accordance with a set budget.
• Contribute to administrative duties, including gathering marketing material.
• As a residential member of staff you will share overnight duties, responding as needed to any welfare, safeguarding, or disciplinary issues that may arise.
• Maintain a professional and respectful image of the company and yourself at all times.

Minimum requirements

• Experience working with children or young people ideally in a residential setting
• Professional, diligent and organised
• Able to work to a prepared budget
• Great verbal and written communication
• General IT competency
• Right to work in the UK (we cannot sponsor work visas for this role)

Person specification

An ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Empathy and care for young children
• Enthusiasm and passion for fun and participation
• Leadership and organisational skills
• Budgeting skills

Experience you may have:

• Working at a boarding school or similar capacity
• Volunteering as a leader for the Scouts or similar organisations
• Working on residential summer schools or holiday camps, perhaps where English is not the students’ first language

Personality traits of a great House Parent

• Always plans well and thoroughly organised
• Takes pride in self and work
• Enthusiastic and takes ownership
• Firm but friendly approach to looking after students
• Calm and reassuring, doesn’t panic immediately

You may hold, or be working towards, first aid or safeguarding certifications.

About Oxford Summer Courses Independent thinking through exceptional education. Oxford Summer Courses is part of Bridgemark Education, founded by two school friends and Oxford graduates. Our approach is based on interactive teaching, small group learning, and tutor autonomy. We channel our passion into making a positive impact on our surroundings whether that be our students, the wider community or the environment.

We have six distinct values that underpin everything we do as a community, helping us deliver excellent learning opportunities:

• Growth mindset
• Wellbeing
• Student impact
• Camaraderie
• Agility
• Building community

Selection process

Only successful applicants will be contacted and no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Pre-interview task If you are invited to an interview you will be asked to submit a pre-interview task. We ask for this to be sent 48 hrs in advance so that your interviewer can review it and consult the wider team if necessary.

Interview Interviews will take place either online using Google Meet or at our offices in Oxford or Cambridge—you will be informed via an email invitation. This will likely take place in an Assessment Centre format with other candidates, including group tasks and discussions. Your interviewer(s) will also find out how you would respond to scenarios that often arise in this role. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and find out more throughout. All applicants are required to bring documents to the interview. Details on documents accepted for DBS a check can be found at gov.uk.

Role assignment Students sign up to courses throughout the year, so positions will be filled on a rolling basis. This may mean that we will be unable to confirm the details of vacancies at the interview. If you are made an offer we will contact you separately to offer specific roles, dates, and location.

Safeguarding Oxford Summer Courses Limited is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and has robust safeguarding policies. References are requested and will be scrutinised. Where appropriate, they will be validated with the providing referee. We also undertake enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks to ensure all our staff are suitable to work with children.