Boarding House Parent

The role

At Ermitage International School, the Boarding House Parent plays a vital role in maintaining a supportive and well-structured environment, working collaboratively with the leadership and academic teams to ensure a positive and efficient experience for all students.

Reporting directly to the Head of Boarding, this role is responsible for the smooth daily running of a boarding house, acting as the primary adult and point of reference for a group of 20-25 boarding students.

Job description

Responsibilities

1 / Supervision

• Manage a house with 20-25 boarding students, ensuring their well-being and adherence to boarding house responsibilities.
• Oversee maintenance and food delivery orders for the boarding houses.
• Support new students, ensuring they are properly oriented and integrated into boarding life.
• Assist students in signing up for extracurricular activities outside the boarding house, coordinating transport arrangements when needed.
• Provide academic support by helping students with homework and liaising with teachers to monitor their academic performance.
• Maintain up-to-date records, including ‘handover’ evening reports, discipline, medication, sanctions, and incident reports.
• Coordinate with other boarding house parents and school leadership, ensuring smooth communication and handling logistical requests, including organising special meals or events.
• Attend weekly meetings for training and updates, and be available to attend specific parental meetings alongside the school team.

2 / Safety and care

• Ensure the safety and security of students through roll calls, following outing procedures, and conducting checks within the boarding house.
• Foster a homely, purposeful, and safe environment within the house.
• Complete necessary training, including safeguarding, first aid, fire drills, and boarding house protocols.
• Implement the school’s safeguarding policies on child protection and health and safety within the house.
• Prioritise the welfare of students, working with others to identify and support those at risk of harm.
• Collaborate with the infirmary to ensure medical care for students during the evening and follow emergency protocols when required.
• Manage emergency situations, including escorting students to hospital when directed by the Emergency Duty person.
• Contribute to the annual review of house policies and the Boarding Handbook.
• Be responsible for the safekeeping of all passports and assist families with necessary travel paperwork.
• Oversee fire drills and ensure students are trained on emergency procedures.
• Ensure the boarding house is secure and report any incidents or maintenance issues promptly.
• Ensure all areas are left in good order before holidays, including turning off lights, closing windows, and securing the house.
• Report issues related to furnishings, fixtures, and maintenance to relevant departments.

3 / Communication

• Act as the main point of contact for communication regarding students in the Boarding House, liaising with the Head of Boarding, Wellbeing Leads, and other relevant staff and parents.
• Establish positive relationships with families, keeping them regularly informed using the boarding house phone and email.
• Hold a weekly house meeting with boarding students.
• Write termly reports on the boarding students in your care.
• Take an active role in promoting the school during Open Days, Induction Day, and other events where prospective parents visit the boarding provision, as well as during Orientation and Back to School events.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years in a boarding or childcare setting is preferred.
• Education: A degree in social work, psychology, education, or a related field is advantageous.
• Certifications: Must have or be willing to obtain certifications in child protection and first aid.

Personal Qualities

• Maintain a positive attitude with empathy, patience, and a strong commitment to student welfare.
• Demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility and proven ability in team management, motivating and empowering others to achieve goals.
• Set high standards with clear boundaries, while maintaining a light touch.
• Take charge of situations, make informed decisions, and act upon them.
• Be resourceful, flexible, energetic, and determined, showing resilience in challenging situations.
• Communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, with high standards, preferably with proficiency in English.
• Be proactive, dynamic, and able to show initiative.
• Work confidently both independently and within a team.
• Solve problems effectively and interact with others sensitively and efficiently.
• Show warmth, care, patience, and approachability, being consistent and straightforward in interactions.
• Demonstrate good listening skills.
• Be suitable to work with children

Activity periods

• Supervision of boarding students is required on all operational days of the boarding school, both day and night, including weekends and public holidays for 7-day boarding.
• The annual schedule of boarding school opening and closing dates is provided at the start of the school year. Additional days before and after these dates are expected for preparation, including student arrivals and organising relevant paperwork.

Job Type: Full-time

Status: Cadre

Pay: 2,400.00€ - 2,500.00€ per month

Work Location: In person