Resident Houseparent

About Abbey College Manchester

Abbey College Manchester was founded in 1990 and over the past thirty years has become one of the leading providers of independent sixth form education in Greater Manchester. There are approximately 200 students in the college. Within this around 40% are from the Manchester area with the remainder coming from up to forty different countries across Europe; Africa; Asia and the Americas.

Boarding Accommodation

Abbey College Manchester has approximately 100 students living in our boarding accommodation. About 40 students reside with our homestay families and 60 live in our Senior Boarding House (Clydesdale House) which is a 10-minute walk from the main college building. Only students aged 16+ reside in this boarding house. The post holder would be taking responsibility for the students at Clydesdale House as described in the job description in conjunction with the Head of Senior Boarding and Boarding Staff teams. The students live in clusters on two floors at Clydesdale house which are accessed only by ACM students and boarding staff. This is an exciting new residential role to move the college forward in developing a modern boarding offering that bridges the gap between sixth form and university. With a diverse range of students and nationalities, the role presents challenges and opportunities to innovate and develop the college offering. To that end, current and extensive experience of working in a boarding school(s) is desirable.

Description of the post

The role is an important, supportive one, which requires flexibility and good communication with the Head of Senior Boarding and other boarding staff. The post holder must always behave in a responsible and appropriate manner for a person charged with the welfare and safety of students, and act as a role model. This is a residential role. Rent-free accommodation is provided within Clydesdale House, with all council tax, utilities and meals during term time included. The first responsibility of the Houseparent is to maintain the highest standards of Safeguarding and Child Protection for the students in Clydesdale House and promote student welfare as the core purpose of their role.

Key responsibilities

• Establish friendly, supportive relationships with students whilst maintaining authority
• Encourage students to always behave appropriately as civilised members of a boarding community, where differences are celebrated and respected by all
• Supervise and, as appropriate, direct and support boarding students in their work outside lessons
• Take responsibility for nighttime supervision as agreed with the Senior House Parent
• Help organise and share in activities in the evenings/weekends and accompany trips and visits where appropriate
• Develop he community and ethos of Clydesdale House in line with the college ethos
• Spearhead the organisation of events and extra study time at Clydesdale in the evenings
• Support and develop good study routine habits with senior boarders at Clydesdale by supporting post college study sessions
• Be the overnight Fire Officer for Abbey College Students in Clydesdale House
• Mentoring students in the Senior Boarding House
• Ensure students are following a healthy lifestyle and are encouraged to eat College meals in the evening
• Prepare morning breakfast and encourage students to eat that and to collect their packed lunches
• Be available to students for discussion and report any concerns to the appropriate person(s)
• Keep clear written records, following college policies and procedures, relating to student welfare
• Attend boarding meetings with the Senior House Parent and other boarding staff as appropriate
• Participate in training/professional development, as appropriate
• Be familiar with National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools and other relevant documentation regarding the welfare and safety of boarders including, but not limited to latest legislation covering all safeguarding and child protection matters. Ensure all NMS and safeguarding is implemented.
• Be in residence 24 hours before the start of and at the end of each term (on a rota)
• As this is a new role it is anticipated that the job description will develop with the role

Note: This job description is indicative of the duties and responsibilities of the post but does not form part of any contract of employment. All jobs within the college evolve over time and their features vary from year to year.

Hours of work

This is a residential post and as such, you will be required to work both days and nights, weekdays and weekends.

The expected pattern is a rota of four days and four nights followed by three days (and nights) off dependent on need. Boarding remains open during the three half terms and the Easter week. With the exception of the first and last weekends, the Christmas and summer are holidays for boarding staff who can remain in the residential accommodation should they so wish. You will have a total of three extra “occasional days” (24-hour periods) to take during the year, by agreement with the Senior House Parent. The college calendar will be provided for clarity.

Under the Working Time Regulations 1998 (as amended), you are not permitted to work in excess of a 48 hour week (averaged over a reference period of 17 weeks) unless you sign to the effect that you are prepared to do so. By applying for this role and signing the contract, you agree that this limit does not apply in your case. You agree that you may terminate this agreement by giving one term’s written notice. 

Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the Abbey College Manchester Application Form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form.

The Alpha Plus Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children. All staff are trained in child protection and understand to report concerns by following the safeguarding policies. We ensure all candidates are properly police-checked, and the successful candidate will need to obtain an enhanced disclosure via the DBS.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Please click the link below for further information on employing Ex-Offenders:

Policy on employment of ex-offenders.pdf (alphaplusgroup.co.uk)