Boarding Matron (Residential)

We are looking for a committed Residential Matron to provide professional, high-quality care for this important pastoral position in the Boarding House within Bedales Prep, Dunhurst.

Duties will include assisting in the smooth running of the boarding house; encompassing attending to boarders’ needs if they are ill or require further medical interventions during the night. This will include accompanying pupils to the onsite Health Centre or other external appointments when requested. Duties will also include supporting the boarding team and member of staff on duty at weekends; attending to pupils’ needs if they are ill or require pastoral support.

You will need to be practical, patient, sensitive, as well as an excellent communicator and a team player.  

Accommodation will be provided and the position will commence from January 2025.

Bedales School is a unique educational establishment, set in the beautiful Hampshire countryside. Our aim is to create an environment where questioning, divergent thinking and freedom to learn from mistakes are all encouraged. Central to our success is the sense that each person is a member of our community whose voice is entitled to be heard and treated with respect. Both our staff and students expect of each other the best kind of relationships – co-operative, authentic and trustful.

Experience & Background

The successful candidate will need to be a reliable and capable individual, who can use their own initiative, as well as work as part of a team. Experience of working with children and young people as a matron, nurse, social care worker, or similar profession would be of benefit. This position offers an exciting opportunity to play a key role ensuring the care of pupils at Bedales Prep, Dunhurst.

Duties

You will be responsible for:

• assisting the House Staff to ensure the safe, effective and efficient management and smooth day-to-day running of the boarding house and care of day children in line with the Boarding National Minimum Standards and the School’s needs and requirements
• working predominantly with other members of the Boarding House but will also assist in other areas of the school, as directed
• supporting the School Matron – Medical in the running of the Medical Room and to take charge of the medical requirements of the boarders – including administering first aid and dispensing medicines

This post is Regulated Activity.

Hours of Work

This post works on a fortnightly rota with a split shift pattern, including early starts and late finishes. One week would consist of 20.5 hours per week of work. The second week would consist of 19 hours per week. In addition, there are 11 weekends of 26 hours to be worked throughout the academic year, in supporting the boarder’s weekend activity programme.

Salary

£12,765 per annum, based on the above hours and weeks of work (which is the pro-rata amount of the full-time equivalent salary of £23,476 per annum).

Benefits

• Free on-site parking
• Funded Healthcare Cash Plan
• Pension
• Salary Extras Benefits Platform
• Free breakfast, lunch and supper is provided during term time 
• Gymnasium & swimming pool

How to Apply

For further details on how to apply, please visit the recruitment portal on the Bedales Schools website via the Apply button. CVs cannot be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application form.   

Closing date: 9.00am on Friday 18 October 2024.

Application review discussions will be held on a rolling basis during the advertising period via MS Teams.

Formal interviews: week commencing 4 November 2024.

Pre-Appointment Checks

All candidates will undergo a Safeguarding Suitability Interview and application for an Enhanced DBS and Barred List check and be asked to provide evidence they are eligible to work in the UK on an ongoing basis at the shortlist stage of the selection process.

Safeguarding Statement

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Candidates will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Prohibition from Teaching Checks, and Prohibition from Management Checks.

The safeguarding responsibilities of the post include:

• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Fostering a culture of openness, safety, equality and protection
• Providing a safe and welcoming environment where both children and adults feel secure, able to talk and believe that they are being listened to
• Playing a key role in the prevention of harm and an equal responsibility to act on any suspicion or disclosure that may indicate a child is at risk of harm
• When concerned about the welfare of a pupil, acting in the best interests of the pupil

All staff have a key role to play in identifying concerns early and in providing help for children and are expected to act in accordance with the School’s Safeguarding & Child Protection Policies.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and the School is therefore permitted to ask job candidates to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.