House Dean: Role Profile

House Deans live residentially in small group settings with students at Yarnton Manor. Their main focus is on the safety and well-being of the students staying in their building. On a day-to-day basis, tasks will involve ensuring the students are up in time for breakfast each morning, supervising evening activities and conducting the evening register and curfew for their building.

House Deans must be skilled in both pastoral care and organisation – dealing effectively with any issues of behaviour, friendship or homesickness that may arise for students, whilst also ensuring that the students are in the right place at the right time and that all relevant paperwork is completed. They will be expected to take charge of any incidents (such as accidents requiring first aid, fire evacuations or behaviour incidents) that occur during their hours of duty, including during the night. They must therefore be confident that they can think clearly and calmly in a crisis to guarantee that all staff and students are kept safe.

Further Role Details

Given the front-line nature of the role and the fact that House Deans hold significant responsibility, this role is suited to someone with considerable experience of supervising children or young people and looking after their day-to-day needs, ideally in a residential environment. Successful candidates will be confident in applying child protection and dynamic risk assessment principles within a residential setting, proficient in holding sensitive and difficult conversations with both adults and children and able to work independently to a high standard, ensuring that the students staying with them are looked after to the highest possible standards throughout their stay.

Why become a House Dean?

The House Dean role is fully residential, meaning that staff accommodation is provided throughout the programme. House Deans are required to be on duty first thing in the morning, 7am – 9am and between the hours of 7pm and 11pm. Outside of these times, they are free to explore Oxford, complete academic work or simply enjoy the beautiful campus surroundings.

In return for their hard work and dedication, House Deans will gain excellent transferable skills in leadership, youth development and team working. They will benefit from an excellent training programme, covering first-aid, safeguarding, fire marshalling, leadership and even punting. They’ll work within a vibrant community of other committed people making friendships and memories for life!

What skills do you need?

• An abundance of enthusiasm for working with young people

• A healthy dose of common sense and maturity

• Comfortable building a rapport with students

• Patient and empathetic

• Up for a challenge