Cover Boarding Assistant

International Schools Partnership; Alicante; Presencial; EUR 30.000 - 40.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

An educational organization in Alicante seeks a Boarding House Parent responsible for the welfare of pupils in a boarding setting. The successful candidate will promote a positive environment, manage staff, and ensure adherence to safeguarding standards. Experience with children and excellent communication skills are essential. The role offers 36 annual leave days, free tuition for children, and other benefits.

Servicios

36 annual leave days

Free school lunches

Private healthcare plan

Professional development opportunities

Formación

• Calm, approachable, and proactive in emergencies.
• Ability to maintain discipline and promote positive behaviour.
• Willingness to work flexibly and provide cover as needed.

Responsabilidades

• Ensure health and pastoral welfare of boarding pupils.
• Manage staff and communicate effectively with parents.
• Promote a positive environment and track students' progress.

Conocimientos

Experience working with children in a pastoral, residential, or boarding setting.

Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection practices.

Excellent communication and organizational skills

Descripción del empleo

Overview

The Boarding House Parent (HP) is responsible to the Head of Boarding (HOB) for the health, academic, social, and pastoral welfare of each pupil in his/her care. The HP will seek to encourage and inspire the members of the house to achieve excellence in academic and extra-curricular activities, and to develop their social skills by living harmoniously with others. The aim is to help students develop into confident, mature, civilized and successful young people. This role is particularly relevant for LES boarding due to our uniquely international intake, mixed gender, and Key Stages.

Boarding Procedures, Management of the House and Staff

• Follow all boarding procedures and promote the management of the house by: fulfilling the requirements of the School's policy on Safeguarding Children.
• Ensuring the British National Minimum Standards for Boarding are implemented.
• Managing efficiently the organisation and resources of the Boarding House in line with agreed procedures.
• Having overall responsibility when on duty reporting to the Head of Boarding.
• Ensuring that all staff know and can implement the emergency procedures and understand their delegated responsibilities.
• Ensuring staff going off duty effectively communicate all relevant information to staff coming on duty and record information as required.
• Ensuring that boarding policies are consistently adhered to by all boarding staff and students; staying aware of new developments and legislation related to boarding and ensuring any new policies are understood and adhered to.
• Keeping accurate, up-to-date records and contributing to the Boarding House Staff documents.
• Working in partnership with all Boarding Staff to ensure the operational effectiveness of the House; preparing any required reports for students in collaboration with staff.
• Managing travel arrangements of all students, including unauthorised travel, and ensuring students are safely collected and delivered to airports as appropriate.

Pastoral care

• Ensure appropriate confidentiality within the House and act in loco parentis with responsibility for the welfare, health, safety, discipline, and care of the students.
• Be available in the boarding house when a child is off school during the school day and ensure safety and security of all Boarders at all times.
• Encourage a culture of learning, creativity and development in the House and maintain proper procedures for signing in and out for boarders.
• Observe school uniform/dress code and maintain presentation and appearance of all Boarders.
• Oversee weekend leave, half-terms and holidays, laundry, and pocket money; foster a happy and caring environment by listening to and responding to boarders’ needs.
• Develop a collective responsibility among Boarders to be aware of the difficulties or problems of others and provide support as appropriate.
• Manage behaviour and discipline in the house in line with the school’s disciplinary policy, using encouragement, reward, and a fair system of sanctions; uphold the Schools’ code of conduct.
• Inform the Head of Boarding and Pastoral Care of serious breaches of school rules and provide support for students with emotional, social, or behavioural issues; ensure individual needs are identified and supported to maximise opportunities, talents, and potential.
• Record disciplinary events and sanctions in boarding records and provide regular reports and references as required.
• Monitor involvement of Boarders in extra-curricular activities and their personal development; organise or staff the program of activities for evenings and weekends.
• Provide leadership opportunities within the House and maintain records of boarders’ progress, welfare, health, and misconduct.

Organisation and Records

• Keep accurate records in hard copy and electronically; induct new Boarders into Boarding House life and ensure induction records are maintained in individual student files.
• Maintain knowledge of each boarder’s home background, establish good relationships with parents, and be available to discuss concerns when required.
• Monitor changes in home circumstances and share relevant information with boarding and teaching staff; foster belonging and unity within the house across year groups.
• Track Boarders’ time use and encourage participation in school and boarding activities; oversee daily checks on room cleanliness and adherence to house rules; record weekly rewards and sanctions appropriately.
• Ensure proper supervision of meals, weekend meals, and ensure dietary requirements are provided for; supervise snack bar usage and food hygiene.
• Carry out a full fire evacuation every 5 weeks, recording times and behaviours.

Communication

• Communicate effectively within all areas of the school to parents, students, and teachers; be the main point of contact between parents and the school alongside the HOB; ensure timely responses within 12 working hours.
• Contribute to communications or blogs about the boarding houses and provide regular boarding articles and photos for the School’s Weekly Newsflash; prepare a half-termly newsletter and distribute reports to parents.
• Keep in regular contact with the HOB with updates on boarders’ issues.
• Meet prospective parents/students when required and liaise with the HOB about enrolment arrangements; be available to conduct tours for Admissions as needed.

Marketing and Leadership

• Promote boarding at LES; meet prospective parents/students, and support Admissions with tours when required.

Employment Benefits

Leave entitlement: Full-time employees are entitled to 36 annual leave days each academic year and leave will be granted in accordance with the company policy.

Free Tuition for School-Age Children: Eligible full-time permanent employees may avail themselves of free tuition for their school-age children, provided the child gains admission to the school.

Free school lunches: We provide free school lunches for employees.

Development opportunities: The school offers suitable professional development opportunities for all staff.

Private healthcare plan: Access to a comprehensive private healthcare plan available at a flat rate for you and your family members.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Experience working with children in a pastoral, residential, or boarding setting.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection practices.
• Ability to maintain discipline and promote positive behaviour.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills; calm, approachable, and proactive in emergencies.
• Willingness to work flexibly and provide cover as needed.

Safeguarding and Inclusion

• ISP Commitment to Safeguarding: ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; all staff are subject to vetting procedures and satisfactory criminal background checks or equivalent historyes.
• ISP Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging: ISP is committed to an inclusive culture and encourages applicants who share our vision to apply.

Additional Notes

The post holder’s duties must be carried out in compliance with the School’s policies. The post holder must take reasonable care for health and safety of self and others, and cooperate with management to comply with the School’s Health and Safety Policy. The houseparent is expected to be in residence overnight as required during term time.