Boarding House Parent
Take a leading role in supporting students well-being.
All Camp Locations
Role Overview
House Parents are responsible for the welfare and well-being of the students living in their assigned residence or "house." This role requires a high level of care and attention, as House Parents serve as surrogate parents for the students who are away from home and are crucial to creating a supportive and nurturing environment. House Parents will prioritise the students' safety, welfare, and enjoyment throughout their time at the centre, working to deliver an outstanding experience. House Parents report to the Welfare Manager and Centre Manager and work closely with the Medical Officers and Admin.
Skills You'll Gain
In this role you'll gain valuable pastoral care experience in a multicultural residential summer school, developing leadership and communication skills through hands-on management of student welfare, behaviour, and daily routines. The role offers professional growth opportunities within a vibrant international community, providing the satisfaction of creating a safe, nurturing environment.
To view the full job details including Working Conditions download the Job Description
Your role manages day-to-day boarding house operations through welcome and house meetings, fire drills, oversight of cleaning, laundry, maintenance, bedtimes, and health & safety checks, while maintaining all records securely on the company's database.
Act as a "parent" figure to students—especially those new to being away from home—supporting them through homesickness, ensuring correct and adequate clothing, upholding personal hygiene, and providing laundry assistance. Ensure students with medical needs carry lifesaving devices (inhalers, epi-pens) at all times.
Your priority is the safety and emotional well-being of students and staff, achieved through visits during activities, meals, and nightly room checks, with daily updates to welfare / concerns logs. Work closely with Centre Manager, Welfare Manager, Head of Sports, to understand each student’s wellbeing, monitor behaviour, respond promptly to bullying or aggression, and promote a positive camp environment.
Ensure sports self-assessment forms are completed during the Sunday welcome house meeting as part of each student’s Exsportise journey.
Develop and manage a house duty rota for free-time supervision, bedtimes, and wake-ups, ensuring proper staff coverage and reporting. Coordinate with Administrators for accurate bed registers and room changes per company guidelines.
Manage and enforce mobile phone policies, including sealing phones in pouches at bedtime registration until breakfast. You oversee mealtimes, student attendance, and social integration, coordinate student laundry, and stay aware of medical, dietary, and allergy needs while assisting Medical Officers with ill students.
Assist with student check-in by settling students and encouraging home communication, and handle check-out by managing packing, room checks, and valuables reclamation. Maintain full familiarity with accident and emergency procedures and liaise with parents or agents on welfare when necessary.
Work with Administrators and Medical Officers to prepare houses before arrivals, maintaining up-to-date information boards, signage, and clean, welcoming rooms.
Additional Duties
Attend daily staff meetings for camp updates and team communication. Adhere to Staff Handbook guidelines and Centre Manager directives, maintaining professional conduct. You assist with camp setup and pack-down, ensuring equipment, resources, and facilities are prepared and secured.
Perform any other reasonable duties assigned by senior management, demonstrating flexibility and commitment.
About you
All staff are responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the centre while upholding the highest standards of safety and care.
We look for Team Members who are friendly, positive, and approachable, who remain calm and professional in all situations. Staff must be reliable role models with high personal standards, respect confidentiality and professional boundaries, work effectively as team players contributing to a positive environment, and fully embrace the Team Orange spirit.
Job Specific Personal Specification & Qualifications
Native or near-native competence in written and spoken English (minimum CEFR level C1), ensuring clear and accurate communication.
Proven experience in pastoral/welfare roles – ideally with children or young people in a residential setting.
Experience working with international students in a boarding environment or similar residential context.
Caring and compassionate nature with a genuine enjoyment of working with young people.
Responsible attitude able to manage up to 60 students and staff within a boarding house.
Strong problem-solving skills, especially when working with or mediating between students.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, comfortable engaging with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Flexible and adaptable approach to shift patterns and working hours (including late or weekend shifts).
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Calm under pressure, able to multi-task effectively in a busy environment.
Enthusiastic and approachable, with a friendly presence for students and colleagues.
Willingness to learn and adapt, open to feedback and committed to ongoing professional development.
Desired
Relevant welfare, safeguarding, or safety qualifications, e.g. First Aid, Mental Health, Fire Safety, Advanced Safeguarding.
Formal training or study in Education, Psychology, or Social Care
To Apply
Are you enthusiastic about working with young people, committed to safeguarding, a strong team player, flexible about residential hours, appropriately qualified for your chosen role, and excited by a lively – and at times demanding – international summer school environment? If so, submit your application now. We look forward to hearing from you.
If you have any further questions or are not sure what role to apply for, please contact us at: recruitment@exsportise.co.uk
All staff must pass employment checks, including confirmation that they are not barred from working with children. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to attempt to apply for a position with us. Working with Exsportise involves direct contact with vulnerable children and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
