Cover Dames Assistant

We are recruiting for a Cover Dame's Assistant, to work as part of the Pastoral Support Team providing cover for Dames' time off and the absence of house Dames' Assistants on a short and/or long term basis.

You will support individual Dames with the pastoral care of the pupils in their houses, as well as supporting the day-to-day running of the houses, ensuring their cleanliness, tidiness, comfort, and appropriate levels of health and safety.

You will work flexibly and collaboratively with the Dame to ensure that pupils' needs are put first, and that you can both take appropriate rest breaks. At all times you will be a visible presence in the House when on duty.

This role is for 46 hours per week, term time only (with the exception of three days at the beginning and end of each term; you will also work any bank holidays that fall within term time).

Eton College offers a wide range of benefits, including an 11% employer contribution to your pension (with 4.9% employee contribution), Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced Maternity / Paternity scheme, free eyecare vouchers, a cycle to work scheme, subsidised lunches during term time, free access to the College's sport and leisure facilities and discounts at local retailers and businesses.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• You are expected to develop positive relationships with the pupils, and help set expectations about cleanliness of rooms, dealing with laundry, and respecting their environment, as well as encouraging them to be polite, well mannered, friendly and presentable. Your interaction with new pupils means that you will be a key component in helping individuals to settle into life at Eton and setting standards, including disciplinary standards, within the house.
• Assisting the Dame with the general health and wellbeing of pupils in College, liaising with School medical staff as appropriate in order to share any health or medical concerns.
• Escorting pupils to routine appointments at the School Health Centre or local hospitals as required, responding and providing support during a medical emergencies.
• In the absence of the Dame, liaising with parents on medical, domestic or logistic matters.
• Ensuring that appropriate standards of cleaning are maintained within the house, by cleaning designated areas to the standards expected (e.g. this may include common areas, pupil rooms, and ablution blocks).
• Supervising laundry, sending pupils' clothing and sheets to laundry once a week; checking return of these items and reporting numbers of missing sheets and pillowcases.
• Supervising Messing Teas, at all times ensuring that health and safety requirements are adhered to, and also taking the opportunity to get to know the pupils, set standards and to provide pastoral support.
• As directed by the Dame, undertaking any administration as required for the effective functioning of College, liaising with central school teams (e.g. catering, central cleaning and maintenance) where necessary.
• Ensuring that all relevant information is communicated to the Dame and that the College's child protection procedures are adhered to at all times.
• Covering for the Dame during her time off and being available at the required times to give out prescribed (or otherwise) medication to pupils in line with our relevant medical procedures. This also includes keeping accurate written records and developing positive relationships with the Health Centre staff.
• Supporting the Dame and House Master at functions and events as required. This may include setting up beforehand, serving and washing up after events along with other members of house staff.
• You will be required to attend all training sessions and meetings that might be necessary for you carry out your professional duties, including pastoral and Health and Safety matters.
• Demonstrating commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Demonstrating commitment to equality, diversity & inclusion.

Skills and Competencies Required

To be successful in this role, you should have:

• A flexible approach to work and a 'can do' attitude;
• Previous experience of working in a pastoral role for children or young adults
• An awareness of the Children's Act and Safeguarding and Child Protection;
• A high standard of verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to flex your style to communicate with a variety of different people;
• The ability to nurture good working relationships with other departments;
• The ability to work using your own initiative whilst also being happy to take direction from the Dame and House Master;
• Confidence in your own abilities and to deal with challenging situations;
• Previous experience of handling administration and good computer skills - particularly Word, Excel and Outlook;
• An understanding of when to resolve a problem on your own, and when to ask for help.
• First Aid or relevant medical training;
• A clean and valid driving license would be an advantage

Working Pattern

A normal working week consists of 46 hours per week (breakdown of hours to be discussed at interview). Including holiday, the working year comprises of 40.6 weeks (term-time) plus three days before the start and at the end of each term.

The salary for this role is GBP17,871 per annum.

Eton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We are committed to creating and sustaining an environment that values and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils. We believe in equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or socio-economic background...... click apply for full job details