Houseparent for Nash House

Overview of the Role

Houseparents are responsible, in a pastoral and practical sense, for all aspects of the running of their House. They are responsible for its smooth and orderly running and for the welfare and wellbeing of the students within it.

In conjunction with colleagues in the Boarding Office, Houseparents are also responsible for overseeing the domestic and health & safety arrangements in the House and for ensuring that students are supervised effectively and appropriately and that the House rules are observed by everyone in the House.

While this role is primarily based within the boarding house, we are keen for Houseparents to be involved in the wider life of the school. Houseparents are therefore expected to be actively involved in one or more aspects of school life outside the boarding house. The exact nature of such involvement will depend in part on the skills and experience that each Houseparent brings. This aspect of the role is, therefore, not covered specifically in the notes below.

The same ethos and approach prevail in the boarding context as do in all other aspects of life at d’Overbroeck’s. Our boarding environment is marked with the same relative informality, boundaries that are clear but not overbearing, and an atmosphere which is homely, welcoming, flexible and supportive. Houseparents clearly have a critical part to play in creating and maintaining such an atmosphere in the boarding houses. They are, therefore, an integral part of the school’s pastoral team.

Houseparents (and other house staff) report to the Head of Boarding.

Houseparent’s principle duties and responsibilities

Houseparents’ responsibilities are by their nature fairly open-ended. Please note, therefore, that the job description in the candidate brief. In simplistic terms, Houseparents at d’Overbroeck’s are expected to:

• Run the House
• Look after the Pastoral care of the students in the house
• Maintain good administration and Record Keeping
• Supervise the daily routines of students
• Be aware of Regulations, Safeguarding and Compliance

Person Specification

Relevant experience of working in a comparable role or of having held comparable responsibilities in a different context would be highly desirable.

In addition, and given the nature and responsibilities associated with the role, candidates will need to demonstrate the following:

• A caring and cheerful personality and a manifest interest in young people and in being in their company;
• A demonstrable ability to relate to students, parents and colleagues with empathy and sensitivity;
• Well-developed EQ (emotional intelligence) and a mature, responsible, patient and resilient attitude to life and work;
• A commitment to promoting safeguarding of children and to continued professional development in this respect;
• The ability to work as a member of a team with a commitment to high standards of pastoral care;
• An ability to be firm while doing so in a friendly, engaging and respectful manner;
• Very well developed communication skills, both in person and in writing;
• Good, reliable and balanced judgement;
• The ability to handle pressure where necessary;
• The ability to think clearly and rationally in an emergency;
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team;
• Fluent and confident IT skills;
• Good practical and administrative skills.

Accommodation

For the proper performance of their duties, it is essential that Houseparents occupy the self-contained accommodation, in the form of a flat within the boarding house (‘The Flat’). The successful candidate will be required to sign a Licence to Occupy before taking up residence. This reflects the position that occupation is granted by way of licence, and that the Houseparent does not gain any tenancy rights.

Please note that the Flat at Nash House is a one-bedroom flat and so would suit a single person or a couple. It would not be suitable for children.