Estate Services Caretaker

Neway International Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A local council support service is seeking an Estate Services Coordinator to lead a team ensuring the maintenance of public estates in Islington. This role emphasizes strong leadership, communication skills, and health and safety compliance. Responsibilities include overseeing inspections, managing staff performance, and engaging with the community. Candidates should demonstrate experience in public services and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The position requires a full presence within the borough and offers a temporary contract with a competitive hourly rate.

Qualifications

• Experience in public service and managing staff.
• Knowledge of health & safety legislation; willingness to train.
• Strong communication skills with residents and officials.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of caretakers to maintain estate cleanliness.
• Conduct inspections and manage performance.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety tasks.

Skills

Experience providing services to the public

Experience leading and managing staff

Knowledge of health and safety legislation

Knowledge of estate services practices

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Ability to work flexibly and think creatively

Ability to meet physical demands of the role

Ability to manage resources

Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Job description

Neway International are seeking an Estate Services Coordinator to join our client based with the London Borough of Islington.

Location: 222 Upper Street, Islington
Hours: 35 hours per week (08:00–16:00)
Start Date: 26 January 2026
End Date: 20 April 2026
Employment Type: Temporary
Work Pattern: Frontline – full presence required within the borough
Rate: PAYE £24.24 per hour / Umbrella £32.06 per hour

About the Client

Islington Council’s Homes & Neighbourhoods directorate is committed to delivering high‑quality, safe, and well‑maintained estates for residents across the borough. The Estate Services team plays a vital frontline role in ensuring communal areas are clean, safe, and welcoming, while supporting wider neighbourhood services and community wellbeing.

The Role

The Estate Services Coordinator will lead a team of caretakers to ensure estates are maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and appearance. This is a frontline, resident‑facing role requiring strong leadership, excellent communication skills, and a proactive approach to problem‑solving. You will oversee inspections, manage performance, ensure compliance with health and safety requirements, and work collaboratively with internal teams and partner agencies.

Weekend working (on a rota basis), evening meetings, and out‑of‑hours commitments form part of this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a dispersed team of caretakers, including induction, supervision, training, performance management, and sickness monitoring.
• Provide weekend caretaker supervision on a rotating basis (approximately one weekend in eight).
• Conduct regular inspections of communal areas, including cleaning standards, estate lighting, horticulture, repairs, waste collection, play areas, and garages.
• Ensure all health and safety tasks, including fire safety inspections and fire risk assessment actions, are completed within required timescales.
• Review inspection reports, resident feedback, and complaints; take corrective action and provide clear written responses within required timeframes.
• Maintain accurate estate performance records, including caretaker storage, equipment, materials, and PPE compliance.
• Respond to emergencies, supporting residents and liaising with emergency services and utility providers.
• Work collaboratively with other Estate Services Coordinators, covering duties during absences and supporting cross‑borough issues.
• Engage with TRAs, TMOs, leaseholder groups, councillors, and partner agencies; attend evening meetings and joint estate inspections.
• Support the development and implementation of new policies, procedures, and service improvements.
• Use council IT systems to record inspections, fire safety tasks, and other workstreams.
• Ensure safeguarding awareness and report concerns appropriately.

Candidate Requirements

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

• Experience providing services to the public (E).
• Experience leading and managing staff, including performance, conduct, and training (E).
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation relevant to caretaking and estate services; willingness to undertake H&S training (E).
• Knowledge of estate services including grounds maintenance, refuse/recycling, repairs, and cleaning practices (E).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including report writing and liaison with residents, councillors, MPs, and partner agencies (E).
• Ability to work flexibly, use initiative, think creatively, and be solution‑focused (E).
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including extensive walking, stair climbing, and working outdoors in all weather (E).
• Ability to manage resources and meet performance targets (E).
• Ability to contribute to policy and procedure development (E).
• Willingness to attend evening meetings, provide weekend cover, and undertake out‑of‑hours duties (E).
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion (E).

Additional Requirements

• Basic DBS.
• Compliance with the council’s declaration of interest procedure.