House Parent

SBC House Parents play a central role in providing pastoral care to students, taking responsibility for the daily management of a boarding house and ensuring the safety and well-being of all students within it. As leaders within the boarding house, House Parents are supported by a small team of staff and work together to create a welcoming, positive, and vibrant community where students feel comfortable and supported.

House Parents must be highly responsive and adaptable, meeting both the individual and collective needs of students. This includes fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment where students can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically during their time at summer school. With students living away from home, House Parents play a vital part in ensuring a safe, structured, and enjoyable residential experience, helping students build confidence, form friendships, and make the most of their summer school journey.

House Parents may be based at either one of SBC’s college or school settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day running of a boarding house, creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for students.

• Provide pastoral care and support, ensuring students' wellbeing, safety and happiness throughout their stay.

• Lead, support and coordinate the House Team, promoting effective communication and teamwork.

• Manage daily residential routines, including wake-ups, house meetings, mealtimes and evening duties.

• Support the planning and delivery of house activities, social events and excursions, encouraging student engagement and participation.

• Respond to student welfare concerns, medical incidents and emergencies, following appropriate procedures.

• Maintain accurate student records, ensure effective staff handovers and communicate with the wider summer school team.

• Support student arrivals and departures, contributing to the smooth running of the summer school.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be committed to the safeguarding and welfare of students in your care.
• Complete online safeguarding training and attend on-site safeguarding training during induction week.
• Read and understand SBC’s Safeguarding Policy, Staff Handbook, Operations Policy Handbook and Part 1 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (including Annexes A & B).
• Be alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and report any concerns to the DSO immediately, including low-level concerns.
• Know what to do if a student tells a member of staff they are being abused, exploited or neglected.
• Help students understand how to keep themselves safe and manage risk, earning their trust while maintaining professional boundaries.

SBC PERSON SPECIFICATION

All members of staff employed by SBC will be expected to bring certain key qualities to the operation. There must be a professional interest in working with young people and particularly international children. Safety and welfare of the students is of paramount importance at SBC and a practical enforcing of this belief should be a quality exhibited by all staff.

We look for staff who are:

• Approachable & empathic to the needs of students
• Enthusiastic & engaging
• Diplomatic, responsible & motivated
• Flexible within the summer school environment

We expect all SBC staff to be able to communicate effectively with our students, using an appropriate level of language to suit the group. SBC staff must demonstrate patience, empathy and an emotional awareness towards students both individually and in within a group setting. We expect all staff to take control of students and to manage discipline and behavioural issues in a firm, positive and constructive manner.

Experience & Skills

Essential

• Experience working with children in a professional and residential capacity.
• Experience of, and genuine enjoyment of, working with children.
• Strong communication skills, ability to work under pressure and flexibility.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and processes in practice.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, taking a strengths-based approach to develop their self-esteem, confidence and resilience.
• Strong organisational skills.

Desirable

• Experience of residential international summer schools.
• Experience of the UK boarding environment.
• Experience of working within the education sector.

Founded in 2008, Summer Boarding Courses (SBC) delivers award-winning residential summer programmes that combine academic and social enrichment, bringing students from around the world together through education.

Our programmes take place at leading UK boarding schools and university college campuses, providing students with an inspiring environment to learn, develop confidence and build skills for their future.

To date, over 21,000 students from 155 nationalities have studied with us. SBC has also been ranked Number 1 in the EL Gazette’s British Council inspection league table from 2018 to 2026 and achieved a perfect 15/15 areas of strength in British Council inspections.

Our courses unlock potential and ignite a spark for long-term success.