Housekeeper

Riverside Healthcare Ltd; Kinsley; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

The Poplars Southmoor Hospital Hemsworth is seeking a part-time Housekeeper to join the NHS Trust, delivering high cleaning standards across wards and public areas. You will work with the housekeeping team or independently, ensuring a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Key duties include cleaning, stock management, and assisting with catering tasks. The role supports infection prevention, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication within a busy

Qualifications

• Experience in maintaining high cleanliness standards in healthcare settings.
• Good understanding of infection prevention and control practices.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to deliver courteous service to patients and visitors.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high cleaning standards of wards and departments daily.
• Cooperate with the housekeeping team to keep areas safe and welcoming.
• Follow COSHH guidance and NHS colour-coding where applicable.
• Contribute to catering duties and meal service as required.
• Manage ward stock levels and maintain tidy ward stores.

Skills

Cleaning

Infection control

Team player

Customer service

Job description

30 hours per week We are currently seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and friendly Housekeeper to join our team at The Poplars, Hemsworth, Wakefield.

Job Summary We are currently seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and friendly Housekeeper to join our team at The Poplars, Hemsworth, Wakefield. If you have a passion for delivering high standards, are keen to work in a dynamic team, and are adaptable to varied working hours, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. The Housekeeper plays a key role in maintaining the cleanliness and infection control standards across the site. You will work as part of the housekeeping team, or independently within the unit. Ensuring all clinical and non-clinical areas including patient wards and public areas are cleaned to the highest standards. The position requires a strong proactive attitude with excellent cleaning skills and a can‑do attitude.

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role. We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.

Main duties of the job The housekeeper will be responsible for maintaining the high cleaning standards of our wards and departments, working with other housekeepers, assistants to various wards and department areas on a daily basis to ensure that the hospital is clean, safe, and provides a welcoming environment to all the Trust`s patients, visitors and staff.

The Housekeeping team are responsible for maintaining hygiene standards. The Housekeepers are responsible for cooking and serving meals to service users. Responsible for maintaining correct stock levels in the ward stores, and main stock area. The Housekeeper needs to be able to work under pressure with the ability to meet deadlines. Good customer service and communication skills, along with being a great Team Player. A good working knowledge of COSHH , awareness of the use of colour coding in the NHS would be useful.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

About Us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative. Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Details

Date posted 30 September 2026

Pay scheme Agenda for change

Band Band 2

Salary £25,272 a year pro rata

Contract Permanent

Working pattern Part‑time, Flexible working

Reference number C9378-QA01518

Job locations The Poplars Southmoor Hospital Hemsworth WF9 4LX United Kingdom

Job Description

Job responsibilities Provide a high standard of catering and general housekeeping duties within a mental health inpatient environment. Duties will be carried out in line with national standards of cleanliness, infection prevention & control and food safety.

Key Result Areas:

Catering duties

• Provide a full meal and snack service to the service users on the wards
• Receive and store all food in accordance with set standards and Trust policy.
• Prepare and pack menu items for service users to the required standard, in line with the Trusts Food Safety, HACCP and Health & Safety policies & procedures.
• Regenerate/prepare and serve meals and sundry items of food adhering to food distribution timescales and in line with the Trusts Food Safety, HACCP and Health & Safety policies & procedures.
• Wash all items, including all tableware used, following each meal service
• Ensure the unit catering department is maintained to high standards of cleanliness at all times in line with the Trusts Food Safety, HACCP and Health & Safety policies & procedures.
• Communicate with multidisciplinary teams (nursing staff, catering and dietitians) to ensure service users receive special diets in accordance with nutritional requirements, allergy status and care plans.
• Collate and input data required for the ordering of special diets onto the catering department food sheets.
• Liaise and communicate any menu changes and answer any queries relating to menu changes with service users and nursing staff.
• Maintain accurate records in relation to food storage and regeneration of food in accordance with Trust policy.
• Prepare for meal times ensuring menus are displayed in accordance with set standards.

General Housekeeping Duties

• Contribute to the safety, efficiency and general tidiness of the whole unit environment
• Maintain adequate supplies of stock and ad hoc items on the wards by monitoring stock levels, ordering items as required, rotating stock and safely storing items.
• Ensure bedrooms are prepared appropriately for admissions to the ward
• Support service users to keep their own property safe and support individuals to use the laundry equipment as required.
• Report any defective or damaged items, infestations or breakages and arrange for the removal of items as required in accordance with Trust Waste Disposal & Decontamination policies and procedures.
• Undertake routine and ad hoc environmental and equipment checks and audits as required
• Maintain cleaning of items as per ward schedules
• Spot clean throughout the ward as required

General

• Maintain good working relationships and effective communication with all colleagues, service users and visitors whilst delivering the core duties of a housekeeping service.
• Adhere to Trust Policies and Procedures at all times.
• Apply the code of confidentiality with regard to confidential information concerning service users and their care, colleagues & visitors in order not to compromise their safety or well‑being.
• Ensure that all relevant information obtained during the course of interactions with service users is shared with the nurse in charge of the ward area.
• Safeguard the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults, by adhering to Trust safeguarding policies and participating in relevant training.
• Adhere to the national NHS smoke free policy, which prohibits smoking anywhere on Trust grounds
• Be a socially responsible employee by following measures that reduce or offset the Trusts environmental impact

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The post-holder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed. The content of this post will be reviewed in conjunction with the post-holder when necessary, in line with service developments.

Trust values We put the person first and in the centre. We know that families and carers matter. We are respectful, honest, open and transparent. We improve and aim to be outstanding. We are relevant today and ready for tomorrow.

Safeguarding

Report any concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of children, adults service users, members of their families etc, in accordance with Trust Policy. Prevent and respond appropriately to abuse and understand own role in this by undertaking Safeguarding training.

Trust policies and commitments to be read in line with the relevant Trust Policy

All Staff Employed By The Trust Must Comply With The Trusts Policies And Procedures, Undertake Appropriate Training Required For Their Role And Commit To: Ensure they are aware of the Whistleblowing Policy and how they raise concerns; Maintain confidentiality, in line with the Trusts Confidentiality Policy and Code of Conduct; Understand their personal responsibilities with regards to data quality for any information which they create, use or process in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), The Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and Trust Data Protection Policy; Comply with the provisions of The Trusts Health and Safety Policy and Protocol. Ensuring their own safety and that of colleagues, service users and visitors. Know the action to be taken in the event of a fire and must undertake fire training annually; Receive supervision in line with the Trusts Supervision Policy and an annual Appraisal in line with the Trusts Appraisal Policy, during which mandatory, role specific and personal development needs should be identified and agreed; Understand their responsibilities under the Trusts Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy and ensure that they adhere to the provisions of the policy; Recognise, respect and support the equality diversity of staff, colleagues, service users, carers and the public. Contribute to a working environment which promotes and responds positively to difference and diversity; Ensure they carry out their duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18 years, as issued under Section 11 of The Children Act 2004, by being familiar with and adhering to Trust safeguarding policies and participating in relevant training; Comply with their professional responsibilities to develop their practice and deliver care through a Clinical Governance framework (i.e. CPD, Audit, Supervision); Demonstrate, through practice and practical understanding, the importance of the continual development of individual, team and service wide quality improvement; Abide by relevant codes of professional practice, with the organisation taking action when codes of conduct are breached; Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service/organisation, whilst working within a culture of progressive employment practices and commitment to the Investors in People (IiP) Standards; Adhere to the Trusts smoke free policies, which prohibits smoking anywhere on Trust grounds; Being socially responsible by complying with measures that support the Trust in reducing or offsetting our environmental impact; Identify and report risks, hazards, incidents, accidents and near misses promptly; In addition to the Trusts own responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance, for your safety, ALL staff (and contractors) are responsible for ensuring their work adheres to this Code in the delivery of safe patient care.

All Staff Employed By The Trust Must Comply With The Trusts Policies And Procedures, Undertake Appropriate Training Required For Their Role And Commit To: ensure they are aware of the Whistleblowing Policy and how they raise concerns; maintain confidentiality, in line with the Trusts Confidentiality Policy and Code of Conduct; understand their personal responsibilities with regards to data quality for any information which they create, use or process in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), The Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and Trust Data Protection Policy; comply with the provisions of The Trusts Health and Safety Policy and Protocol. Ensuring their own safety and that of colleagues, service users and visitors. Know the action to be taken in the event of a fire and must undertake fire training annually; receive supervision in line with the Trusts Supervision Policy and an annual Appraisal in line with the Trusts Appraisal Policy, during which mandatory, role specific and personal development needs should be identified and agreed; understand their responsibilities under the Trusts Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy and ensure that they adhere to the provisions of the policy; recognise, respect and support the equality diversity of staff, colleagues, service users, carers and the public. Contribute to a working environment which promotes and responds positively to difference and diversity; ensure they carry out their duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18 years, as issued under Section 11 of The Children Act 2004, by being familiar with and adhering to Trust safeguarding policies and participating in relevant training; comply with their professional responsibilities to develop their practice and deliver care through a Clinical Governance framework (i.e. CPD, Audit, Supervision); demonstrate, through practice and practical understanding, the importance of the continual development of individual, team and service wide quality improvement; abide by relevant codes of professional practice, with the organisation taking action when codes of conduct are breached; work flexibly to meet the needs of the service/organisation, whilst working within a culture of progressive employment practices and commitment to the Investors in People (IiP) Standards; adhere to the Trusts smoke free policies, which prohibits smoking anywhere on Trust grounds; being socially responsible by complying with measures that support the Trust in reducing or offsetting our environmental impact; identify and report risks, hazards, incidents, accidents and near misses promptly; in addition to the Trusts own responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance, for your safety, ALL staff (and contractors) are responsible for ensuring their work adheres to this Code in the delivery of safe patient care.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

Person Specification Personal Attributes Essential Smart appearance. Ability to work as part of a team. Flexible approach to working patterns, change and unpredictable environments. Caring, friendly attitude. Ability to deliver high standards of work at all times.

Physical Attributes Essential Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Special Knowledge/Skills Essential Good interpersonal skills. Able to communicate with service users, work colleagues and visitors in a courteous and sensitive manner. Ability to work without immediate supervision, being able to prioritise, and use own initiative. Positive can do attitude.

Desirable Basic Health & Safety awareness.

Training Essential Commitment to undertaking relevant training commensurate to the job role.

Experience Essential Previous experience of working in a demanding work environment.

Desirable Previous experience of working in an industrial cleaning and/or catering environment. Experience within a customer care/or a patient focused environment.

Qualifications Essential Level 2 Certificate in Food Safety or willing to undertake and successfully complete within 12 months * (can be obtained through SWYPFT). Basic literacy and numeric skills.

Patient Safety and Confidentiality Additional details: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details Employer name South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust Address The Poplars Southmoor Hospital Hemsworth WF9 4LX United Kingdom Employer's website https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)