Assistant House Staff

Scottish Council of Independent Schools; Dollar; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Scotland is seeking an Assistant House Staff to provide supervision and support to boarding pupils. The role offers fixed-term maternity cover on a term-time only basis, with working hours totaling 30 per week. Candidates will engage with children aged 10-18 and are expected to handle duties such as overseeing boarders, assisting Houseparents and managing emergency situations. Successful applicants must either be registered with a professional body or be willing to gain certification quickly.

Qualifications

• Must be registered with a professional body or prepared to undergo training for registration.
• Ability to assist with children's appointments and care.
• Must achieve the SVQ3 within five years of registration.

Responsibilities

• Provide a responsible, supervisory adult presence in boarding houses.
• Attend to emergencies as they arise.
• Be available for boarders to address concerns and engage socially.
• Assist Houseparent with evening duties including meal prep and supervision.
• Manage laundry and medicines for boarders.

Skills

Responsible supervisory skills

Crisis management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Registration with professional body (GTCS, NMC, SSSC)

Job description

Overview

Package Description: Boarding House – Assistant House Staff (Childcare Practitioner)

Fixed-Term Maternity Cover (Term-Time Only)

Start Date: Monday 16 March 2026

End Date: December 2026 (exact date will be confirmed)

Working Hours: 30 hours a week, shifts as below:

• Monday – 16:30-22:00
• Tuesday – 15:30-22:00
• Wednesday – 08:30-15:30
• Thursday – 08:30-14:30
• Friday – 08:30-13:30

Salary: This role is term time only, however the salary of £1,539.46 per month will be paid monthly throughout the year, including school holidays.

Our boarding community is at the very core of Dollar Academy, and it has been for over two hundred years. We are rightly proud to be the world’s oldest co-educational day and boarding school. Our Assistant House Staff work closely with Houseparents to provide a home from home to boys and girls aged 10 to 18, with juniors and seniors mixing.

We are currently recruiting for Assistant House Staff and key duties include:

• Providing a responsible, supervisory adult presence in our boarding houses
• Dealing with emergencies
• Being available for boarders – both to address concerns and to engage socially
• Weekend duty – attending meals and check boarders’ attendance
• Evening duty – assisting Houseparent/House Tutor with evening routines which may include preparation of suppers, checking boarders have completed duties, supervision of bedtimes, lights out, lock-up routine
• Checking out/in of boarders at weekends
• Arranging doctor’s/dentist’s appointments and if necessary, transporting boarders to these appointments
• Reporting day to day repairs to Houseparents
• Supervision of cleaning staff in absence of Houseparent
• Answering telephone and passing on messages to Houseparents
• Laundry
• Repairs of boarders’ clothing
• Dispensing medicines
• Stock control of medicines, including ordering
• Stock control of cleaning materials, light bulbs, etc including ordering

Please see the full Job Description attached below.

The closing date for this vacancy is Monday 2 February. Please note that we reserve the right to appoint a candidate before the closing date, early applications are therefore encouraged.

All appointments at Dollar Academy are subject to receipt of a satisfactory PVG Scheme Record or Scheme Record Update from Disclosure Scotland. The successful candidates will be asked to make a formal application, the cost of which will be borne by the Academy.

Dollar's boarding is regulated by the Scottish Care Inspectorate; in accordance with their statutes, all staff involved in the delivery of care are required to be registered by a professional body such as the GTCS, the NMC or the SSSC. Applicants for the position of Assistant House Staff should either be so registered already or prepared to undergo the necessary training towards certification and subsequent registration. Dollar Academy offers fully funded support, if required, to achieve the necessary qualification. Registration must occur within 6 months of starting in post and you are further required to successfully obtain the Children and Young People Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ3) within five years of registration.

About Dollar Academy

Dollar Academy has been a co-educational day and boarding school since its foundation in 1818. Today, it provides an exceptional all-round education to around 1,300 pupils aged 5-18. Our focus is on encouraging the individual talents and ambitions of every young person, in a positive and supportive environment that fosters the development of transferable skills, self-confidence and strong personal values. A belief in developing the whole person is central to the Dollar ethos.

The Academy is very much at the heart of the town – it is a major local employer and values highly its relationship with the wider community. The school itself is a friendly, supportive, hardworking and committed community of staff and pupils who enjoy cordial, professional and productive working relationships.

The school’s location is undoubtedly one of the most scenic in the country, set against the Ochil Hills and the historic Castle Campbell, but within easy reach of the major towns of the Central Belt and just 40 minutes from Edinburgh Airport. The Dollar community is welcoming and vibrant. The whole school sits within a single, stunning 70-acre campus.

Our Values

Work Hard
Hard work leads to success, creativity and innovation. Our pupils and staff demonstrate a strong work ethic, with ambition and excellence being encouraged. We want everyone to strive to be the best they can.

Get Involved
There is a very wide range of subjects and activities on offer at Dollar and teachers work hard to make lessons interesting. Involvement and participation in all aspects of school and community life build confidence and resilience, whilst also allowing our youngsters to try new things and develop their passion.

Be Kind
‘Kindness’ is no trite playground buzzword; it demands an even higher level of behavioural engagement than tolerance or respect. We believe in a positive and generous approach, in collaboration and cooperation, and in leadership that is about compassion and service.