Accommodation, Activities & Welfare Officer

FreeSpirits; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Accommodation, Activities & Welfare Officer to enhance the experience of international students. This role focuses on sourcing quality accommodation, ensuring student welfare, and coordinating various support services. You'll be instrumental in creating a safe and welcoming environment, managing accommodation placements, and addressing welfare concerns. If you're passionate about supporting students and thrive in a dynamic environment, this opportunity is perfect for you. Join a team committed to excellence in student services and make a real impact in the lives of students from around the world.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

Supportive work environment

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Experience in managing student welfare and accommodation.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate accommodation for international students, ensuring safety and satisfaction.
• Act as a point of contact for welfare issues and provide support to students.
• Ensure compliance with admissions processes and financial management.

Skills

Student Welfare Coordination

Accommodation Management

Safeguarding Practices

Administrative Support

Communication Skills

Education

Relevant Degree or Experience

Job description

Accommodation, Activities & Welfare Officer

£26,825 - £28,629 per annum

Cambridge

Permanent

27 days per annum annual leave

The primary purpose of this job role is to:

• Source quality accommodation and assess Homestays for international students, including safeguarding and health and safety checks.
• Ensure that student welfare and social needs are met during their programme of study.
• Coordinate with ESOL admissions, visa applications, and compliance processes, checking eligibility for funding against the criteria.
• Support administrative, marketing, and recruitment activities within the International Office as required.

The primary duties, tasks, and responsibilities of this job role are to:

Accommodation

1. Liaise with International Centre Manager to identify student accommodation needs prior to students’ arrival.
2. Coordinate placements of students in homestay, residences, and private accommodation, ensuring safeguarding and health and safety checks.
3. Act as the first point of contact for all accommodation enquiries.
4. Develop and maintain a good supply of student accommodation.
5. Maintain a database of accommodation options.
6. Ensure safeguarding of students by undertaking homestay accommodation inspections annually, including DBS, health and safety, safeguarding, and homestay checks on all accommodation providers.
7. Coordinate feedback from homestay families and students to ensure high satisfaction rates.
8. Generate new Homestay family opportunities.
9. Record changes in homestay circumstances and update files.
10. Maintain accurate and up-to-date student accommodation records.
11. Support health and safety checks, ensuring all documentation is completed and filed.
12. Liaise with the International Centre Manager and/or students’ personal tutors regarding accommodation issues during students’ stay and record notes on College systems.

Welfare

1. Act as a first point of contact for all welfare and accommodation issues for international students throughout the year.
2. Identify safeguarding concerns and refer them to college support services as appropriate.
3. Act as a first point of contact for emergency calls from international students, group leaders, and homestay outside of office hours (Monday to Friday plus weekends on a rota basis).
4. Provide advice to students regarding access to GP and Dentists during their stay.
5. Coordinate a social programme for international students throughout the year.
6. Participate in meet and greet teams for student groups and attend departure briefings.
7. Organise transport for students (weekly bus passes, airport transfers, and coach bookings for social activities).

Admissions & Finance

1. Ensure admissions processes for international and ESOL student applications are completed in line with college and UKVI requirements, including visa application checks.
2. Maintain accurate records and liaise with finance to process payments to homestay families.
3. Ensure timely homestay payments and manage late payments in coordination with Finance.
4. Support the international target achievement for sales (Homestay), new business, or income generation.

The resource management responsibilities of this role are:

• Financial: None
• People Management: None
• Other: None

Special conditions or working arrangements applicable to this role include:

• This post is defined as regulated activity.
• The postholder is required to hold an enhanced DBS disclosure check deemed acceptable to the College.
• The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.