Wardens are responsible for managing accommodation. They may organise catering, oversee cleaning and maintenance staff, and ensure there is effective security provision. In some roles, wardens collect rent or fees. However, duties vary according to the type of accommodation provided and the needs of the people living there.

Wardens in sheltered or supported housing may work with elderly or homeless people, or in accommodation specially adapted for people with disabilities. In this environment tasks are more likely to be related to the welfare of the residents. Assessments are made to determine how much support residents need to maintain a certain quality of life. Organising social events to interest and stimulate the residents is often necessary.

Work in a youth hostel or students’ residence requires dealing with more practical issues relating to day-to-day living.

Wardens may also be known as residential wardens or housing officers.

Hours and Environment

Wardens usually work around 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Some wardens work weekends, and/or provide a 24-hour on-call service during the week.

Travel between sites may be necessary when working in supported or sheltered accommodation.

Wardens usually work in a purpose-built environment, and often live on site.

Skills and Interests

As a warden you should:

• be friendly and outgoing
• have the skills to communicate with a wide variety of people
• be caring, sensitive and a good listener
• be well-organised and methodical
• remain calm under pressure and be able to handle emergencies
• have administration and management abilities, and basic computer skills
• be literate and numerate for budget planning.

Entry

There are no particular academic qualifications required to become a warden, although some employers may look for some GCSEs/S grades or equivalent.

Previous experience (paid or voluntary) of caring for people, for example, nursing or residential social work, working with elderly or homeless people, or people with a disability is advantageous. Qualifications such as NVQ level 2, 3 and 4 in Health and Social Care may also be useful when applying for work.

There is no upper age limit, and maturity is usually an advantage.

Young people may be able to enter through apprenticeship schemes (see Training).

Training

New entrants will usually receive training from their employer, and be encouraged to work towards relevant qualifications whist working.

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) offers several qualifications. These range from a Level 2 Certificate in Housing to a Level 4 Diploma in Housing. It is possible to specialise in supported housing or student accommodation.

NVQ/SVQ levels 2, 3 and 4 in Housing are also available.

Hostel managers with the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) would begin as youth hostel assistants. Permanent assistants work towards NVQ level 2 or 3 in Customer Service. Senior assistants work towards NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Customer Service or Hospitality Supervision (Kitchen Supervision, Multi-skilled Supervision or Accommodation Supervision). As a warden/hostel manager, you would work towards NVQ/SVQ Level 4 in Management.

Relevant qualifications can be used to gain professional recognition with the CIH, when combined with their APEX work-based training scheme. The CIH also provide a wide range of short courses and a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme.

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland

Opportunities

Most jobs for wardens are in towns and cities. Local authorities employ the most wardens in the UK, but you could also work for housing associations, private companies, voluntary organisations or educational institutions. Opportunities exist to work in:

• supported accommodation
• rehabilitation centres and hostels
• youth hostels (usually in tourist or scenic areas)
• independent living centres
• hostels for employees, such as nurses.

Promotion may be from assistant to warden - or could involve changing employer for a job with greater responsibility or better pay.

Some wardens gain relevant qualifications and go on to work in social work, housing or counselling.

Vacancies will be advertised in the local press, and possibly in local authority jobs bulletins.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

New entrants are likely to earn between £11,000 and £12,000 a year, although apprentices may earn less.
With experience, earnings can rise to around £15,000 to £17,000 a year.
Those with long term experience can earn up to £20,000 a year, or more.

Some salaries may include an accommodation allowance. Supplementary amounts may be paid for shift work or overtime.

Further information

England and Wales
Trevelyan House
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 3YH
Tel: 0870 770 8868 2 The Courtyard
48 New North Road
Exeter
Devon
EX4 4EP
Helpline: 08000 567160 Octavia House
Westwood Business Park
Westwood Way
Coventry
CV4 8JP
Tel: 024 7685 1789