An opportunity has arisen for a matron to join Iona House at Fettes College Preparatory School. Reporting directly to the Houseparents/Senior Matron and working alongside the wider pastoral team, you will be required to fulfil several key responsibilities. The successful candidate will be a fully committed professional; an open and friendly team player contributing to a rewarding and vital part of the whole life of the House, bringing a sense of fun and a willingness to be involved in nurturing the lives of boarders, age 7-13.
The Role
The Boarding Houses are run by the Houseparents who have overall responsibility for the health and welfare of the boarders in their charge. Along with the Houseparents and tutors, each House has one non-resident evening Matron who plays an important support role. This support includes the following main areas:
· General care and welfare of the boarders
· Housekeeping duties
· Medical attention for the boarders
· Communication with parents/guardians
· Administrative tasks
· Communication with other school departments
· Airport transfers
Key Responsibilities
General Care and Welfare of the Boarders
Matron can be an informal contact point for the students and is likely to pick up on individual problems or anxieties very quickly. Matron should:
· Report any incidents of bullying or unkindness, or any serious social or personal issues Matron may have to deal with to the Houseparent;
· Report boarders who appear to be unhappy, but are unwilling to talk about their problems;
· Encourage open relationships so that boarders can discuss their problems freely without fear of retribution;
· Be present as a caring and supportive figure and the eyes and ears of the school whilst on duty;
· Keep a specific eye on all new boarders;
· Ensure good levels of hygiene;
· Escorting students to and from the Airport for unaccompanied minor flights;
· Provide snacks.
Housekeeping Duties
This role includes:
· Ensuring games/swimming kit is clean and labelled;
· Checking fridges are clean and that temperatures are recorded;
· Sewing/darning/repairing boarders’ clothes, tagging and naming kit as required;
· Reporting defects that require repair to the estates department;
· Making beds;
· Cleaning out cupboards and tuck boxes;
· Assisting with end of term clean up and packing;
· Doing any laundry that may be required.
Medical Attention of the Children
In general terms Matron will only deal with low level medical needs of the children and all serious issues will be referred to the medical centre staff. Matron will only administer drugs authorised by the medical centre.
Communication with parents
Matron may be present when prospective parents are shown around the house or when parents are entering the house at the beginning of term or other important school occasions. Matron will be expected to always play a full role along with other staff in reassuring parents that their children are in safe hands. This is especially important when dealing with the parents of new boarders.
Administrative Tasks
There are several important if generally routine administrative tasks Matron is expected to perform and a requirement to liaise with various other departments.
Training
On the job training will be received as well as a First Aid Course. Matron will also undertake training in child protection and various other job-related courses.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Skills
· You will ideally hold a recognisable Childcare or Social Care Qualification or be willing and able to obtain this within a given timeframe with our support. It is a requirement that Matron is registered with Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or a similar regulatory body.
· A certain level of computer literacy is required.
· Continuing professional development will be required and funds allocated to Matron for the purpose.
· Domestic experience
Personal Qualities
· Communication skills must be exceptional
· Highly organised individual
· Regard for young people and a sense of fun
· Friendly but firm manner
Benefits
This is a permanent term-time role, working:
Monday to Friday 5.45 pm to 8.45 pm (15 hours per week)
Alternate Sundays 5.45 pm to 8.45 pm (3 hours per fortnight)
Matron is expected to stay on at the end of term and to resume work before the start of a new term as required to stand the House down or set it up for the boarders returning from the holidays. This is not expected to require more than 2 days in each case.
Annual Salary: Dependent on experience.
Staff Benefits: In addition to being part of a great team you will be entitled to a range of benefits that include:
· School holidays.
· Free parking within the campus grounds. The campus is easily accessed by car and bus; there is a bus stop located outside the campus serving a number of routes across the city and to rail stations.
· Membership of Westwoods gym and health club which offers a range of excellent fitness and leisure facilities including a 25m swimming pool.
· Free meals during term time when you are on duty.
· Life insurance scheme.
· Excellent Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
· You will be opted into the Fettes Trust Non-Teaching Staff Pension Scheme after 3 months service. This scheme is a money purchase one and full details of it and your options will be made available to you prior to your opt-in date. The Fettes Trust will contribute to the scheme and your contribution will be subject to the minimum overall combined employer and employee contribution limits set by the Pensions Regulator. Fettes operate a contribution matching scheme up to 10% of base salary.
Application Process
The closing date for applications for this role is Tuesday, 20th June 2023. Start date for the post is Tuesday, 29thAugust 2023.
To apply please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role via email
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- Gym membership
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 20/06/2023
For more information on how to apply, please click here.
