Deputy Warden Vacancy

The Trustees of St Scholastica's Retreat are looking for a Deputy Warden.

The Deputy Warden occupies a flat in the Retreat and receives a salary of £13,014.00 per annum. Holiday entitlement is four weeks each year.

The Retreat is situated within a very short distance from shops and the Catholic Church of St Teresa of the Child Jesus.

The post calls for a person with a strong sense of responsibility and the desire to help the aged.

For further information about Almshouses see the Almshouse Association

Background

The Retreat was founded in 1862 by private endowment, to provide accommodation for retired Roman Catholics of professional or similar background. In July 1972, the Retreat moved to new purpose-built premises at Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire. It consists of 36 self-contained flats for the Residents and a detached three bedroomed house for the Warden.

There is also a Community Building which provides social and laundry facilities together with a self-contained guest suite which may be used by residents’ wishing to accommodate occasional visitors.

Summary of Responsibilities

The Deputy Warden is responsible to the Trustees for the performance of his/her duties at the Retreat.

As Deputy Warden he/she is expected:

to cover for the Warden on two days per week. The Deputy will also cover for the Warden during his five weeks of holidays.
Undertake the role of Clerk to the Trustees and attend Trustee Board meetings and sub-committee meetings.
Undertake other administrative functions in conjunction with the Warden.
To be available at all times to deal with emergencies when providing cover for the Warden.
To ensure contact is maintained with all residents and provide help where necessary.
To establish and maintain high standards of personal conduct and professional relationships.
To be a willing team member and work in harmony with the Warden.
To understand the role of other service providers and significant people in the lives of residents and be committed to working effectively with them.
To ensure that professional responsibility is never sacrificed for personal interest.

Promote and support the Catholic community and ethos of The Retreat.
Attend a personal handover meeting with the Warden and Clerk to the Trustees when coming on and going off duty.
Unlock the Community Building and disengage the alarm every morning when on duty, and engage the alarm and lock up at night.
Visit daily those residents who have requested daily contact, and those particularly mentioned by the Warden and Clerk to the Trustees in the morning handover as needing a visit.
Attend the Friday Coffee Morning and other social events when on duty.
Ensure the safe and proper use of the Community Building.
Promote the independence of residents, while being always ready to help.
Maintain confidentiality between residents and respect the confidentiality of information gained from The Warden and Trustees.
Maintain good relations with the Warden, Trustees, and with all residents and their families.
Carry out such other reasonable duties that fulfil the physical and spiritual needs of the residents.
Promote and support the community ethos of the Retreat.

Person Specification

Applicants for this position should:

Be a practising Roman Catholic
understand and respect the confidentiality of knowledge and information relating to individual residents and Trustees
Be of good character and have the ability to use initiative and work efficiently, to carry out any other reasonable tasks and duties as may be requested, and to always act with honesty and integrity
Be sensitive, objective and impartial in the delivery of services.
Be discreet, patient and caring when dealing with demanding residents
Have good communication skills and be prepared to socialise and be part of the community.

NB A Driving Licence would be an advantage but not essential.

How to apply

Candidates should forward their CV with accompanying letter to The Warden stscholasticasretreat@outlook.com or by post to:

27 The Retreat

Princes Risborough

Buckinghamshire

HP27 0JG

CVs should include:

Full name
Date of birth
Marital status
Address
Phone numbers: work/home/mobile
Email address
Education: secondary, further, higher
Qualifications: school, college, university, professional, employment related
Employment history; for each place of work include job held, post title, employer details (including name, address and phone number), reason for leaving
Other experience relevant to the post applied for (e.g. family, parish, voluntary work etc)

Covering letter should include:

Why you are applying for this post/what attracts you to it
Why you think you are the right person for the job. What is it that makes you suited to it
Names and contact information of two professional referees (related to your previous/current employment)
Name and contact information for your parish priest
Earliest date by which he/she could assume duty
For our information, where you saw the advertisement for this job or how you heard about it

Please note preference will be given to a candidate who is a practising Roman Catholic

Application deadline is end of day 15th October 2025

Equality Diversity & Inclusion

St Scholastica’s Retreat is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in everything we do.

Data Protection

Any personal data you provide (such as address, telephone number, employment history) will be used for recruitment purposes only, and only shared with individuals and organisations involved in the recruitment process. All data will be held securely (electronically on our cloud-based IT system). Personal data related tounsuccessful applicants will be deleted six months after the end of the recruitment period unless agreed with the applicant.