Senior Housekeeper / Cook

NHS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS is seeking a dedicated Senior Housekeeper/Cook for its Milton Hospice. This full-time position involves supervising housekeeping tasks, maintaining cleanliness, and preparing meals for patients and families. The ideal candidate should have experience in cleaning and catering, possess excellent communication skills, and be committed to a high standard of service in a compassionate environment. A competitive salary with additional weekend enhancements is offered, alongside comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Free onsite parking and subsidized meals

Enhanced annual leave entitlement

NHS pension scheme continuation

Employee health cash plan and wellbeing support

Access to a cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience as a Cleaner / Housekeeper and Catering Assistant required.
• Knowledge of food hygiene regulations is essential.
• Supervisory experience in a health care setting is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily housekeeping operations and maintain cleanliness standards.
• Prepare and serve meals as needed under the lead Cook’s instructions.
• Manage stock levels of cleaning supplies and ensure compliance with health standards.

Skills

High professional cleaning standards

Supervisory skills

Food hygiene knowledge

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

Good working knowledge of Health & Safety Regulations

Job description

Job summary

Senior Housekeeper / Cook

Milton Hospice - CB24 6AB

Full Time, 37.5 hours per week

Working Pattern: 5 days over a 7 day working week

* Working Flexible hours (7am - 3pm, Monday to Friday with days off in the week to accommodate 2 out of 4 weekend coverage) *

Salary: £25,500 per an num + circa £2,000 per annum in weekend enhancements based on working 2 out or 4 weekends, rates as below:

Enhanced Rates - Weekends, Evenings & Bank Holidays:

+ 30% Saturdays& Evenings

+ 60% Sundays& Bank Holidays

Permanent Contract

Main duties of the job

Were looking for a dedicated and compassionate individual to join our small facilities team at our hospice in Milton. AsSenior Housekeeper / Cook, you'll play a key role in ensuring our service users and their families experience a high standard of cleanliness and comfort while at our hospice.

Are you:

• A professional cleaner/housekeeper with experience of supervising a small housekeeping team, or looking to step in to a role offering supervisory responsibilities to further your personal development?

Do you have:

• High professional cleaning standards with an eye for detail and a desire to provide the best possible cleaning service?

Responsibilities include:

• Supervising the daily housekeeping operation, ensuring a high level of cleaning throughout the building and that all tasks are delegated fairly and completed within the agreed timescales and standards.
• Maintaining appropriate stock levels of cleaning supplies and materials.
• Prepare and serve meals when required, under the direction of the lead Cook.

The Role:

• As Senior Housekeeper/Cook you will be essential to delivering a high level of cleanliness throughout the building. You will also be responsible for maintaining the required levels of cleaning products through internal ordering and to prepare and serve hot food for our Families and staff.

About us

Comprehensive range of benefits:

• Free onsite parking & subsidised meals at our hospices
• Pool car provided when working in the community
• Employee health cash plan & wellbeing support schemes
• NHS pension - continuation if already contributing
• Enhanced Annual leave Entitlement - 27 days + 8 UK Bank Holidays
• Additional holiday purchase scheme
• AVIVA pension package up to 7% Employer Contribution including Life Assurance
• Free eye tests & cycle to work scheme

East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) supports families and cares for children and young people with life threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.

At EACH we believe in fostering a workplace where every individual feels valued and respected.We are committed to building a culture of inclusion where differences are embraced.We are actively seeking talent from all walks of life, recognising that diversity drives innovation, creativity and success.

Join us on a journey to create a more inclusive workplace, where everyone has equal opportunities to grow, contribute and succeed. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply for opportunities at EACH and adjustments will be made to facilitate the application and selection process.

Details Date posted

30 May 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£25,500 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

EACH1110024

Job locations

Childrens Hospice

Church Lane

Milton

Cambridge

CB24 6AB

Job description Job responsibilities

Supervise the daily housekeeping services within the hospice, ensuring a high level of cleaning throughout the building and all tasks are delegated fairly and completed within the agreed timescales and standards.

In the Facilities Site Managers (FSM) absence, manage daily team meetings and attendance at Morning planning meeting & Facilities Teams meetings.

Assist the FSM with the recruitment of all new Housekeeper/Cook employees

Assist the FSM with the training of all new Housekeeper/Cook employees in particular the safe use of cleaning equipment and products. (Chef to train Cook duties).

Assist in addressing any areas of employee poor performance or conduct and provide support and development as required in order to raise standards

Hold monthly housekeeping team meetings and be the point of contact for FSM for information to be distributed to the Housekeeping team.

Carry out regular informal cleaning checks to ensure standards are being maintained and ensure that cleaning audits are completed weekly and given to Facilities Site Manager.

Maintain appropriate stock levels of cleaning materials within all COSHH cupboards on site and place order with EACH Purchasing team in good time to replenish.

Ensure that Health & Safety standards are maintained at all times

Liaise with the Facilities Site Manager to ensure that Department of Health guidelines on cleaning standards are adhered to.

Understand C.O.S.H.H. Regulations, and ensure that only the cleaning products listed are used and stored correctly

Undertake any other duties as are within the spirit and purpose of the role, as requested by your line manager or their higher level of authority.

Key Housekeeping Responsibilities:

Wash, dry and iron clothes, bed linen, towels and soft furnishings using the hospice laundry. If required, to arrange specialist external cleaners for complex tasks. Ensure all curtains are washed at least 6 monthly and information recorded.

Carry out cleaning duties as laid down in the Hospice cleaning schedule, and as instructed by the Facilities Site Manager or Care Service Manager.

Key Catering Responsibilities:

Prepare and serve foods when required, under the direction of the lead Cook adhering to guidelines and regulations with reference to food handling / hygiene and preparation. This will include day-to-day meals within the hospice, sandwiches and other foods when required for special events. N.B. You will be covering the kitchen and cooking the main meal in the Cooks absence, i.e. days off, annual leave and sickness.

Ensure specialised planned menus are adhered to.

Take responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen and ensuring that the cleaning schedule is adhered to.

Take responsibility for health and safety matters in the kitchen, and to comply with current food hygiene regulations.

Ensure that systems such as refrigerator temperature monitors, and food labelling are carried out at all times.

Supervise volunteers, if required.

Undertake any other duties as tasks that are within the scope and purpose of the role, as directed by your line manager or someone acting on their behalf.

All duties are shared on a rota basis with other members of the Housekeeping/Catering team, providing 7 day cover.

Job description Job responsibilities

Supervise the daily housekeeping services within the hospice, ensuring a high level of cleaning throughout the building and all tasks are delegated fairly and completed within the agreed timescales and standards.

In the Facilities Site Managers (FSM) absence, manage daily team meetings and attendance at Morning planning meeting & Facilities Teams meetings.

Assist the FSM with the recruitment of all new Housekeeper/Cook employees

Assist the FSM with the training of all new Housekeeper/Cook employees in particular the safe use of cleaning equipment and products. (Chef to train Cook duties).

Assist in addressing any areas of employee poor performance or conduct and provide support and development as required in order to raise standards

Hold monthly housekeeping team meetings and be the point of contact for FSM for information to be distributed to the Housekeeping team.

Carry out regular informal cleaning checks to ensure standards are being maintained and ensure that cleaning audits are completed weekly and given to Facilities Site Manager.

Maintain appropriate stock levels of cleaning materials within all COSHH cupboards on site and place order with EACH Purchasing team in good time to replenish.

Ensure that Health & Safety standards are maintained at all times

Liaise with the Facilities Site Manager to ensure that Department of Health guidelines on cleaning standards are adhered to.

Understand C.O.S.H.H. Regulations, and ensure that only the cleaning products listed are used and stored correctly

Undertake any other duties as are within the spirit and purpose of the role, as requested by your line manager or their higher level of authority.

Key Housekeeping Responsibilities:

Wash, dry and iron clothes, bed linen, towels and soft furnishings using the hospice laundry. If required, to arrange specialist external cleaners for complex tasks. Ensure all curtains are washed at least 6 monthly and information recorded.

Carry out cleaning duties as laid down in the Hospice cleaning schedule, and as instructed by the Facilities Site Manager or Care Service Manager.

Key Catering Responsibilities:

Prepare and serve foods when required, under the direction of the lead Cook adhering to guidelines and regulations with reference to food handling / hygiene and preparation. This will include day-to-day meals within the hospice, sandwiches and other foods when required for special events. N.B. You will be covering the kitchen and cooking the main meal in the Cooks absence, i.e. days off, annual leave and sickness.

Ensure specialised planned menus are adhered to.

Take responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen and ensuring that the cleaning schedule is adhered to.

Take responsibility for health and safety matters in the kitchen, and to comply with current food hygiene regulations.

Ensure that systems such as refrigerator temperature monitors, and food labelling are carried out at all times.

Supervise volunteers, if required.

Undertake any other duties as tasks that are within the scope and purpose of the role, as directed by your line manager or someone acting on their behalf.

All duties are shared on a rota basis with other members of the Housekeeping/Catering team, providing 7 day cover.

Person Specification Experience Essential

• Experience as a Cleaner / Housekeeper and Catering Assistant
• Experience and knowledge of food hygiene requirements

Desirable

• Supervisory experience
• Experience of working in a health care setting.
• Catering experience in a professional setting

Skills & Abilities Essential

• Ability to prepare basic meals
• Well organised and a methodical approach to work Self motivated
• Ability to work independently
• High standard of communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to work effectively and supportively as part of a team
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Able to use initiative to deal with unexpected problems that may arise.
• Observant and a good attention to detail
• Computer literate

Other Requirements Essential

• Ability to undertake manual handling in line with the requirements of the role.
• Flexible approach to working hours
• Current full, valid driving license

Qualifications Essential

• Good working knowledge of Health & Safety Regulations relating to cleaning materials and equipment . Ie COSHH

Desirable

• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Person Specification Experience Essential

• Experience as a Cleaner / Housekeeper and Catering Assistant
• Experience and knowledge of food hygiene requirements

Desirable

• Supervisory experience
• Experience of working in a health care setting.
• Catering experience in a professional setting

Skills & Abilities Essential

• Ability to prepare basic meals
• Well organised and a methodical approach to work Self motivated
• Ability to work independently
• High standard of communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to work effectively and supportively as part of a team
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Able to use initiative to deal with unexpected problems that may arise.
• Observant and a good attention to detail
• Computer literate

Other Requirements Essential

• Ability to undertake manual handling in line with the requirements of the role.
• Flexible approach to working hours
• Current full, valid driving license

Qualifications Essential

• Good working knowledge of Health & Safety Regulations relating to cleaning materials and equipment . Ie COSHH

Desirable

• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices

Address

Childrens Hospice

Church Lane

Milton

Cambridge

CB24 6AB

Employer's website

https://www.each.org.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices

Address

Childrens Hospice

Church Lane

Milton

Cambridge

CB24 6AB

Employer's website

https://www.each.org.uk (Opens in a new tab)