UK RESIDENTIAL NIGHT GUARDIAN
Title: Night Guardian (Residential)
Job Type: Residential Full-Time
Reports to: Centre Director
DATES:
June 30th to August 1st 2026
Possibility of extension in some centres
Country: United Kingdom
Location: London Kings London Uxbridge Reading Guildford Worcester Dover Oxford Edinburgh
MISSION STATEMENT
Move Language Ahead is committed to providing industry leading safe educational and cultural programmes to students from around the world.
Students families and agents from around the world have chosen MLA for the quality of our language courses for the established trust of our brand and for the meticulous attention to detail in our packages. The MLA formula for a summer centre is a unique blend of many full-day and half-day excursions an amazing activity programme and specialised language this way we have broken the barriers of the traditional summer language course.
MLA WELFARE AND SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
MLA is committed to the welfare and safeguarding of children young people and adults at risk. All students should expect to feel safe within all areas of our seasonal programme. The primary concern at all times is the interests and safety of each student and the organisation takes all reasonable steps to protect children from harm discrimination or degrading treatment and to uphold their rights.
MLA staff working with young learners will all go through our safer recruitment process including online or face-to- face interviews record checks of references and background checks in line with the countrys regulations to ensure they are able to work with young people provide evidence of qualifications and work experience as part of the process and according to our Safeguarding Policy Preventing Sexual Harassment and Prevent Policy.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Responsible for the student safety and wellbeing during MLA quiet hours
- Full-time summer employment from mid-June mid-August
- Represent MLA values
- Reports to Centre Director and Welfare Manager
- 6 working days per week (10pm to 3am)
- 1 day off per week
- Residential employment includes all meals and accommodation
(Possibility of extension in some centres (starting in June and/or finishing mid-August)
The MLA Night Guardian is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of international high school students attending a cultural immersion program six nights per week from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. and comply with the Safeguarding PolicyWhile on duty the Night Guardian is expected to enforce the MLA designated quiet hours and curfew. The role provides overnight oversight of residential accommodation responding promptly and appropriately to welfare safeguarding and emergency situations.
You are also responsible for communicating with the MLA Management Team and the Group Leaders. Summer centres are very busy places and there may be duties to perform in addition to those detailed here.
REQUIREMENTS
Essential
- Must have a UK passport/right to work in the UK and a valid DBS (England & Wales) or PVG (Scotland). If youre based outside the UK also a Criminal Record Check form your country of residence
- Proven suitability to work with students under 18: at least 2 references.
- Be proficient in the use of IT
Desirable
- Previous experience in a supervisory residential security or care-related role
- Experience working with children young people or international students
- First Aid training or willingness to obtain
- Experience in residential education or boarding environments
Person Specification
- Ability to remain calm alert and responsible during overnight hours
- Strong awareness of safeguarding and duty-of-care responsibilities
- Good communication and record-keeping skills
- Reliable punctual and able to work independently
- Ability to follow procedures and escalate concerns appropriately
- Willingness to work overnight shifts including weekends
- Ability to develop positive relationships with students earning their trust whilst maintaining proper professional boundaries
- Ability to establish excellent relationships with our clients and service providers especially the Group Leaders bringing students from abroad
- Team player
- Ability to provide safety and welfare assistance to students
- Excellent communication skills (verbal written and interpersonal)
- Display absolute commitment to the highest standards of professional behaviour
- Ability to work long hours in a high-pressure environment
- Passion for working with youth
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Ability to be pleasant polite and cooperative.
SCHEDULE
As a Night Guardian you will be contracted to work 30 hours a week from 10pm to 3am 6 days a week with one full day off every week. At the end of every week youll be required to confirm and sign off on your worked hours to ensure everything is accurately recorded.
KEY POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Provide overnight supervision of junior students within residential accommodation.
- Respond promptly and appropriately to student needs during the night including illness homesickness or distress.
- Ensure students adhere to curfews and residential rules.
- Conduct regular checks of accommodation areas in line with centre procedures
- Monitor building security including access points fire safety and emergency exits.
- Respond to alarms emergencies or incidents during the night.
- Liaise with emergency services where necessary following MLA emergency procedures.
- Ensure health & safety incidents are recorded accurately and reported promptly.
- Accurately record night-time incidents checks and student interactions in centre logs.
- Complete handover reports for day staff ensuring continuity of care.
- Promote the welfare of students and adhere to and comply with theSafeguarding Policy
Training & CPD
Complete all required pre-employment training
Attend the in-person induction training and take an active part in discussions
Read and understand MLA policies sent during the recruitment process
Read understand and adhere to the guidelines set out in your Handbook
Be open to feedback during appraisals and set your own developmental goals for you to work on during your time with MLA
Request guidance on and actively seek professional development to improve your skills
Amministrative Duties
- Complete night logs incident reports and welfare records accurately and on time.
- Record room checks student movements and any welfare interactions during the shift.
- Maintain clear and detailed handover notes for day staff and centre management.
- Support the accurate updating of student welfare records in line with data protection requirements.
- Assist with administrative follow-up after incidents as directed by centre management.
- Ensure all documentation is stored securely and confidentially.
Safeguarding & Welfare
- Promoting the welfare of students and adhere to and comply with theSafeguarding Policy
- Constantly monitor student and staff safety and welfare addressing any concerns promptly and effectively
- Assist the Centre Director and Welfare Manager with communicating to staff and guests site-specific emergency evacuation and preparedness plans
- Maintain 24-hour on-call emergency assistance for the centre
- Address any guest or staff concerns and properly document and report concerns
- Be aware of any specific safeguarding needs of minors (those under the age of 18)
- Company Quality Performance
- Work with the Centre Director to ensure that what has been sold to the guests is being provided by the centre
- Participate in a comprehensive Centre induction to all new guests within 24-hours of arrival
- Follow-up with MLA Activity Staff to verify all guest inquiries are handled promptly and effectively
Liaising
- Maintain clear communication with on-call managers welfare staff and accommodation teams overnight.
- Participate in daily handovers and briefings as required.
- Represent MLA professionally in all interactions.
- Liaise with campus Public Safety on matters of campus security and emergency management
Residence Hall Supervision
- Conduct regular rounds of the residence hall(s) to ensure students are respecting curfew and quiet hours
- Patrol and monitor hallways stairwells outside facilities and other public and unsupervised places of the campus to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff and the security of the facility
- Challenge unauthorized visitors and escort them to exits; report if necessary
- Conduct room inspections as directed to ensure rooms are kept clean and emergency exits clear of obstructions
- Report maintenance issues to the Center Manager for reporting to the campus liaison(s)
COMPENSATION
Residential Activity Manager GBP 500 weekly. Holiday pay (12.07%) will be added to rates. Inclusive of holiday pay up to GBP 560 weekly
- Paid training and induction.
- Work as part of a strong team and gain experience
- Opportunities for professional development e.g. appraisals opportunities for promotion
- Complimentary room and full board as part of the compensation package
MLA REPUTATION AND CODE OF CONDUCT
- MLA Staff Code of Conduct
- To actively support MLA in its mission to provide quality learning
- To provide courses that will challenge the students (realise their potential) and work together to reach their academic targets and support them
- To comply with management requests to follow the guidelines of external organisations such as British Council in a timely and accurate manner
- To be dressed in a presentable professional way and always start on time and if this is not possible to inform your manager as early as possible
- Develop a good rapport with the students and Group Leaders and avoid absences as much as possible
- There is a specific list of what code of conduct we expect from all staff members in our Staff Handbook
MLA EQUALITY STATEMENT
MLA Move Language Ahead is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age gender marital status being pregnant or on maternity leave race (including ethnic or national origin nationality and colour) disability sexual orientation or expression religion beliefs or any other non-job related criteria.