Head Housekeeper

networx Recruitment; Reading; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group Pension Plan

Generous annual leave

Wellbeing support

Learning, development, and progression

Retail discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Uniforms provided

Free DBS checks

Job summary

Friends of the Elderly is seeking a Head Housekeeper at Friends Place, Calcot, Reading, to uphold high hygiene standards and lead the housekeeping and laundry teams. You will train staff, manage schedules, order materials, and ensure compliance with infection control policies in a welcoming care home environment.

The role requires experience in domestic work within a care setting, ideally at a senior supervision level. A supportive employer with benefits and progression opportunities is offered.

Qualifications

• Experience in domestic role.
• Experience in care setting, ideally in a senior position supervising staff.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high standards of hygiene in all areas.
• Supervise housekeeping and laundry staff; allocate daily work schedules.
• Train the team and manage and order cleaning materials.
• Coordinate and supervise a team to ensure cleaning and laundry services run smoothly.
• Ensure compliance with cleanliness and infection control policies.

Skills

Team supervision

Hygiene standards

Health & Safety

Training staff

Job description

Contract type: Permanent,Full Time(35hours per week)

About Us

Friends of the Elderly (FotE) is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to providing excellent care with a family feel, we have been supporting older people for over120years. The charity provides care home and day care services for older people, as well as grants for older people in financial difficulty.

About Friends Place, Calcot

Friends Place, Calcotismore than just a care home -It’savibrant, welcoming community designed to provide exceptional residential, dementia, and respite care.

Run byFriends of the Elderly,wherewe pride ourselves on delivering personalised, compassionate care ina state-of-the-artfacility.

Located in the heart of Calcot, Reading, our homefeatures a cinema, a salon, atea roomand a vibrant bar designedto create a warm and homely environment where residents feel safe, valued, and supported.

Asour homegrowswe have an opportunity foro Head Housekeeper to join us.

Joining us as a Head Housekeeper, you will keep high standards of hygiene in all areas and follow our cleanliness and infection control policies as well as supervise the team to ensure they are also compliant. You will coordinate and supervise a team of housekeeping/laundry staff and allocate their daily work schedules, to ensure that the home is cleaned and maintained to a high standard and the laundry service runs smoothly. You will be responsible for training the team and also managing and ordering cleaning materials.

Self-motivated and resilient, a team player who is willing to go the extra mile, you will take pride in your work ensuring residents are at the heart of our service.

Knowledge of COSHH and Health & Safety would be beneficial. You will be a champion of our values and be able to supervise your peers and use your initiative.

You will have worked in a domestic role previously and have experience in a care setting, ideally in a senior position supervising staff.

Why Join Friends of the Elderly?

This is a unique opportunity to shape the culture and success ofour newestcare home, leaving a lasting impact on residents’ lives and the community.

In return for your hard work and dedication, you can look forward to a wealth of benefits:

• Group Pension Plan, with a 6% contribution from us.
• Generous annual leave.
• Wellbeing support through various initiatives, includinganassistanceprogrammeofferingcoaching and counselling support.
• Learning, development, and progression opportunities.
• Retail discountsto make your salary go further.
• Access to loans at affordable rates, saving directly from salary and advance pay already earned.
• Health cash plans for you and your family.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Long service awards that increase with length of service.
• Refer a friend to work for us and receive a £200 bonus.
• Evening, weekend, and bank holiday enhancements to pay.
• Uniforms are provided
• Free DBS checks.

Safeguarding

Keeping everyone safe is one of the charity’scorevalues, andis central to everything we do at Friends of the Elderly. All staff follow our Safeguarding Policy & Procedures and, if they see or suspect abuse, we expect staff to report it straight away.

Criminal record checks

As this role involves a regulated activity, successful applicants will undertake an enhanced DBS check, with barred lists check, and any offer of employment will be dependent on a satisfactory outcome.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar a person from working for us, this will depend on the circumstances and background of any record.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Friends of the Elderly strives to treat all staff equally and be a diverse and inclusive workplace, where everyone can be themselves and everyone accepts each other’s differences. A charity where everyone is equal butdefinitely notthe same.

Our ambition is to ensure equality and celebrate diversity, all working together to create an inclusive workplace, which attracts andretainsthe best people. People that care and can make a difference.

We currently do not providesponsorshipbut we welcome applications from those who have a right work in the UK.

Who we are

For 120 years, Friends of the Elderly has been helping older people live well and find fulfilment in later life. Through our care homes, day centres and grants programme, we provide support, connection and dignity when it is needed most.

We also work with partners to extend our impact and ensure older people remain at the heart of their communities.

Learning, Development, and Career Progression

We offer various opportunities for professional growth, including training programs and career advancement paths.

Our counselling and coaching sessions are designed to support the mental and emotional health of our staff.

Retail Discount Schemes

These schemes help staff make their salary go further with discounts at various retailers.

Friends of the Elderly

Registered charity in England and Wales (no 226064); registered company in England and Wales (no 133850). Registered office: The Bradbury Centre, Smiles Place, Woking, Surrey, GU22 8BJ. A company limited by guarantee. Contact us