Where you’ll work: This role is based at our Hadlow College campus.

Your hours: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per annum – To be worked on a shift rota basis, which covers from 5.30pm on Sundays to 7pm on Fridays. Whilst we are advertising this post on a full-time basis, we would be happy to receive applications from candidates seeking a part-time (and/or term time) working pattern.

Your pay: £26,842 per annum (inclusive of summer pay award).

Accommodation: If you are applying for a full-time role, we have the opportunity to offer onsite accommodation, should you wish to explore this.

North Kent College (including Hadlow College) is proudly rated as an Ofsted ‘Good’ provider, with ‘Outstanding’ learner behaviours and attitudes (April 2024). With four campuses across Kent and 4,000 students, we strive to equip the young people who study here with an inclusive and innovative education experience to enhance their future career prospects, which, as noted by Ofsted, is supported through our high-quality, industry standard facilities. Each and every staff member plays a key part in delivering the success of our learners’ experience, and we want those who join our curriculum and support teams to share our passion in achieving this.

Here at Hadlow College, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Residential Support Officer to join our excellent residential provision, working with the team to provide pastoral support and personal and social development opportunities to students who live on campus.

The role operates on a rota basis, including shifts between the hours of 8am and 1am during term time (when students are in residence), and you will also be required to work, on average, one shift on an emergency ‘on call’ rota each week.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students living in residential accommodation, many of whom are living away from home, independently, for the first time. You will work to positively engage the residential students in all aspects of College life, from successfully completing their studies to engaging with personal and social development programmes, including Learner Voice, the Student Union and Health & Wellbeing activities.

Your collaborative involvement in planning, organising and delivering a student-centred and diverse enrichment programme will be key, ensuring that a varied range of activities are available to our students, where behaviour expectations are maintained and the activities are fully compliant with all safety procedures.

An excellent understanding of student safeguarding and welfare is paramount to be successful in this role, including knowledge of relevant legislation and the national minimum standards for residential provision, although full training will be provided to the successful candidate. You will be educated to a Level 3 standard (minimum) in a related discipline, i.e. social care, mentoring, informal education, or youth work, and hold a at least a Level 2 qualification in English and Maths.

Strong organisational skills, excellent communication and a high standard of computer literacy are also essential requirements, as well as the ability to relate to students across all levels of study and the ability to build professional relationships with staff in College and with community partners. Experience of working in an education and/or residential setting would be an advantage, as would an understanding of the barriers that can impact student engagement in further and higher education.

In return, you can look forward to an excellent benefits package including 33 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (full-time equivalent), enrolment onto the People’s Partnership pension scheme (as part of the staff of North Kent College Business Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of North Kent College), free parking and onsite restaurants.

For a full job description, and to apply, please visit our staff vacancies page.

North Kent College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and all staff have a responsibility to share and maintain this commitment. In line with the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, appropriate safeguarding checks (including an enhanced DBS check) will be undertaken on all individuals selected for appointment. Posts at the College, a specified establishment where the work gives opportunity for contact with children, are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. It is an offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. Please be advised that, again in line with ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, shortlisted candidates (who wish to accept an invite to interview) will be required to complete and submit prior to their interview a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Further guidance / information from the Ministry of Justice can be found on GOV.UK.