This is a key pastoral position, responsible for ensuring the safety, wellbeing and emotional care of young people living on site throughout the programme. The Welfare Officer is a fully residential role during delivery, based at Freemen's School in Surrey. The role acts as the central point of responsibility and coordination for residential welfare and safeguarding matters, working closely with the Open Programmes team and Residential Summer School Team to ensure participants are safe, supported, and appropriately cared for throughout their stay. You will act as the named welfare contact for participants, providing day to day pastoral support and overseeing wellbeing outside of teaching hours. This includes morning routines, evenings, overnight supervision, arrival and departure days, and critical transition points during the programme. You will be a visible, approachable and trusted adult presence. Working closely with the Open Programmes team and the wider Residential Summer Schools team, you will coordinate safeguarding practice within the residential setting, maintain accurate and confidential welfare records, and liaise with tutors, assistants and families where appropriate. You will also provide first aid, support access to medical care when needed, and offer guidance and informal supervision to Residential Summer Schools Assistants during evenings and weekends. We are looking for someone with significant experience working with young people in a residential, education or pastoral context, strong safeguarding knowledge, and a confident, supportive approach to managing sensitive situations. A current enhanced DBS check, safeguarding training and first aid qualification are essential. You should be organised, observant and resilient, with the ability to work collaboratively and remain calm in a busy residential environment. An enhanced DBS check is required. To apply for the role, please submit the following:Job Summary
Job Description
For more information and a full job description please email [email protected]How to Apply
• A CV, outlining your relevant experience; and
• A short covering statement (maximum two pages), addressing the points below.
In your covering statement, please tell us about:
• Your experience of working with children or young people, particularly in residential, education, pastoral or youth settings
• Your experience of safeguarding and welfare, including how you respond to pastoral, behavioural or safeguarding concerns
• Your approach to providing pastoral support for young people (for example, supporting wellbeing, homesickness, anxiety or illness)
• Your suitability for a live in residential role, including your availability for the full engagement period
• Your interest in working on a residential drama summer school
Applications should be sent to Léonie Lazare, Senior Production Manager (Open Programmes), at [email protected] by 1 June 2026, 10am. Interviews will take place in the week commencing 16 June 2026.