Defence Children Services (DCS) House Matron, Queen Victoria School (QVS)

Role overview

Queen Victoria School in Dunblane is a full-time boarding school within the Scottish Education System, operated by the Ministry of Defence. The school serves military families and aims to provide a supportive yet challenging learning environment shaped by the values of Excellence, Equality, Integrity, Nurture and Positivity. The school also has a strong ceremonial tradition, which is an important part of its identity.

The House Matron will be a central member of the residential boarding team, supporting pupils in the boarding house and acting in a dependable parent-like role. The postholder will work alongside the Housemaster/mistress and the wider house team to keep the boarding house running smoothly, with particular involvement in pastoral care and domestic routines. This is a live-in post.

Defence Children Services is part of the wider Defence organisation and supports the education and care of children of Service and Defence-entitled personnel. The Ministry of Defence employs a large and varied civilian workforce across many locations and professions.

This role is based at Queen Victoria School, Dunblane, Scotland, United Kingdom, and is advertised as 37 hours per week.

Key responsibilities

The role carries general, pupil, supporting, domestic and medical duties. The points below summarise the main responsibilities described in the advert; full detail is contained in the attached job description.

• Act as a reliable, parent-like presence for pupils and respond generously and promptly to their needs.
• Manage the household routine and domestic administration within the boarding house.
• Take responsibility for clothing, linen, bedding, laundry, repairs, hygiene and health-related domestic matters.
• Supervise the Housekeeper’s day-to-day work.
• Help maintain a cheerful, caring and orderly environment for pupils, staff and visitors.
• Carry out boarding supervision during evenings and weekends.
• Offer pastoral care, guidance and practical support to students.
• Help ensure that pupils are safe, active, content and able to flourish.
• Work closely with the wider residential boarding team to ensure pupils receive appropriate care and individual support.
• Support healthy daily routines and reinforce cleanliness and personal hygiene standards.
• Handle discipline in a firm, fair and caring way, escalating serious concerns to the Housemaster/mistress and keeping them informed.
• Liaise with the Housemaster/mistress, School Nurse and Health and Wellbeing staff regarding pupil health, lifestyle and illness as needed.
• Encourage good manners, responsible conduct and punctuality in boarding life.
• Maintain positive day-to-day contact with pupils, including being present at break and lunch times.
• Help prepare House birthday celebrations when requested by the Housemaster/mistress.
• Contribute to the development of well-rounded, ambitious and committed young people within the residential community.

Person specification

To be considered essential, candidates must be registered with, or willing to register with, the Scottish Social Services Council and gain SVQ 3 Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF level 7 within the timescale set by the SSSC; training for this will be provided.

The role also requires the ability to live in the boarding house one-bedroom flat.

Essential requirements

• Registration with, or willingness to register with, the Scottish Social Services Council.
• Ability to work toward SVQ 3 Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF level 7 within the required timeframe.
• Willingness and ability to live in a one-bedroom flat within the boarding house.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational ability.
• Patience and understanding when working with young people.
• Experience working effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to understand wider organisational goals and priorities.

Desirable requirements

• Full, clean UK driving licence.
• Further qualifications in pastoral care.
• Experience supporting teenagers or young people.
• Experience in a boarding school environment.
• Experience in a secondary school environment.
• Safeguarding experience.

Selection process

The vacancy uses the Success Profiles framework and will assess behaviours, experience and technical skills. At sift stage, your CV and a personal statement of up to 1,000 words will be reviewed. The personal statement is an important part of the application and will be weighted alongside your CV.

At interview, you will be assessed on Leadership, Managing a Quality Service, Communicating and Influencing, and Working Together. You will also be assessed on your experience and expected to take part in a pupil focus group.

Behaviours and technical assessment

• Leadership.
• Managing a Quality Service.
• Communicating and Influencing.
• Working Together.
• Pupil focus group participation.

Benefits and rewards

The salary for this role is £27,866. In addition, the Ministry of Defence contributes £8,072 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. The employer contribution to the Civil Service pension is 28.97%.

Other benefits available to QVS/MOD Civil Servants include generous allowances for boarding school duties, learning and development opportunities, supportive and inclusive workplace policies, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, on-campus car parking, access to excellent sports facilities including a multi-gym, and live-in accommodation.

Important conditions

This post does not include relocation assistance. The department is also reviewing all pay-related allowances, which may affect any allowances currently attached to the role.

Artificial intelligence may be used to support an application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and based on the applicant’s own experience. Any plagiarism or misrepresentation, including the use of generated material as if it were personal experience, may lead to withdrawal of the application and possible disciplinary action for internal candidates.

This role is not open to applicants who require sponsorship under the points-based skilled worker system, as it has not been assessed as business critical. Applicants who need sponsorship will have their application rejected and any provisional offer withdrawn.

Successful candidates will be required to declare outside interests, which will be reviewed before a formal offer is made to identify and manage any potential conflicts of interest.

The Ministry of Defence applies a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation. Candidates dismissed for such behaviour within the last five years, or who would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had they remained employed, will not be eligible for this role. Pre-employment checks will be completed.

The Civil Service supports diversity and operates a Disability Confident Scheme. In some recruitment situations, it may not be practical to interview every candidate who meets the minimum criteria, including where application volumes are high.

If you need to contact Defence Business Services about this vacancy, mention that it is being handled by Resourcing Team 1. For technical issues with the recruitment system, contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com.

The advert text also references MOD civilian benefits information available through the Ministry of Defence’s employee benefits platform.