Cleaning Operative

Harmeny Education Trust Limited; Balerno; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 20,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days holiday (pro rata)

Enhanced sick pay

Pension scheme

Life assurance (three times salary)

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

Wellbeing initiatives

Induction and development

Job summary

Harmeny Education Trust Limited is seeking three Cleaning Operatives to join our Catering and Domestic team in Balerno. The role is 25 hours per week (0.71 FTE), 7am–12:30pm, Monday to Friday, with duties across administrative buildings and residential cottages.

Salary £18,425 per year, based on a full-time equivalent of £25,796. You will join a values-led organisation, supporting high standards of cleanliness and health & safety, with PVG checks required.

Qualifications

• Experience undertaking a range of cleaning duties.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a domestic team.
• Organised and methodical approach to tasks.
• Ability to take initiative when problems arise.
• Knowledge of COSHH guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Promote a positive ethos in Harmeny's environment.
• Support the Senior Cleaning Operative and follow schedules.
• Carry out cleaning tasks: dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and washrooms.
• Support laundry tasks including stock counting and delivering uniforms.
• Maintain cleanliness to high health and safety standards.

Skills

Cleaning experience

Teamwork

Organised work

Initiative

COSHH knowledge

Job description

Department: Catering and Domestic Services

Compensation: £18,425 / year

Application Deadline: 9 October 2026

Location: Balerno, Edinburgh

Compensation: £18,425 / year

Description

Harmeny Education Trust is a charitable organisation providing therapeutic care and education to children who have experienced early years trauma through abuse, neglect and family disruption, referred from all over Scotland. We currently work with children and young people aged 5-18, both on a day and all-year-round residential basis.

We are seeking three Cleaning Operative to join our Catering and Domestic team on a part-time employed basis. The post-holders will be responsible for maintaining a high standard of cleanliness throughout the organisation, including administrative/office buildings and residential cottages.

The successful applicants will be part of a small team working in a busy environment. A commitment to high standards of cleanliness and hygiene and the ability to work in an organised manner are therefore key requirements for the role. A strong customer focus and proven ability to communicate well and build productive relationships with people at all levels are essential.

The successful candidates will work 25 hours per week (0.71 FTE), 7am – 12:30pm, Monday to Friday, and will be expected to work to agreed cleaning schedules.

The role offers a competitive salary of £18,425 per annumbased on a full-time equivalent salary of £25,796 per annum.

Successful applicant will be required to join Disclosure Scotland's Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.

Harmeny is a values-led organisation and a good fit with our ethos is as important to us as having relevant experience.

Harmeny is situated in a beautiful 35-acre woodland estate, which includes residential and education accommodation, community garden, orchard, wildlife habitats and children's play areas. Harmeny is located in Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh, at the foot of the Pentland Hills; we are easily accessible by bus and there is on-site parking available.

We offer benefits and opportunities that promote wellbeing, work-life balance and staff development. Benefits include:

• On-site wellbeing spaces and free massage therapy
• Free gym membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to a wellbeing app and counselling
• Access to discounts on shopping and events.
• Access to a comprehensive induction package, and to a range of learning and development opportunities throughout their career with us.

More information on the benefits of working at Harmeny, plus a fuller job description and person specification can be found at www.harmeny.org.uk/jobs.

If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please contact, Lesley McDonald, Catering and Domestic Services Manager, on 0131 449 3938.

Closing date: 9 October 2026

Key Responsibilities

Principal Responsibilities

• Promote a positive ethos in the school consistent with Harmeny's vision, purpose and core values.
• Support the Senior Cleaning Operative with the implementation of management decisions, consistent with the Harmeny and cottage plans, policies and procedures.
• Specific tasks will include: dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, polishing, emptying bins, cleaning toilets, sinks, showers, baths, cleaning windows, keeping entrance areas clean and tidy, making beds, loading and unloading dishwashers, removing soiled bedding or clothing to the laundry.
• Providing supporting in the laundry, including the counting of stock, and delivery of school uniforms and bedding back to cottages.
• Assist the Homemakers to ensure that each residential cottage maintains a homely environment for clients.
• Ensure that all cleaning is completed in a manner consistent with good Health and Safety practice.
• Work in accordance with the planned programme / cleaning schedule.
• Maintain the stock of cleaning materials within a locked cupboard.
• Report all repairs or replacements needed to the line manager.
• Attend regular staff and children's meetings as required and in order to ascertain feedback from service users. Cleaning operatives should expect to interact with children and care staff.
• Attend supervision, training and other meetings as required.
• Undertake any other duties as delegated by the management team which are consistent with the role of Cleaning Operative.

Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Experience in undertaking a range of cleaning duties.
• Ability to work effectively and supportively as part of the domestic team.
• Ability to work in an organised and methodical manner.
• Ability to act on own initiative if unexpected problems arise.
• Knowledge of COSHH guidelines.

Personal Characteristics / Competencies

• Committed to high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
• Willingness to clean any area of the organisation as requested by senior management / senior cleaning operative.
• Willingness to take personal responsibility for standards of work carried out.
• Willingness to participate in further training and development opportunities offered by Harmeny.
• Understanding of the need for and a willingness to maintain confidentiality on all Harmeny and children/young people matters.

Benefits

• 35 days holiday (pro rata), inclusive of public holidays
• Enhanced sick pay of up to 13 weeks (pro-rata) (after probation)
• Pension scheme
• Life assurance scheme (three times salary)
• Enhanced pay for maternity, adoption and paternity leave
• Policies and practices that promote a healthy work-life balance
• Access to wellbeing initiatives such as massage therapy and a range of resources to support mental and physical health