Caretaker
Job Type : Temporary, Full Time
Salary : £13.30 – £16.35/hour
TOWER HAMLETS HOMES
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Caretaker
Grade:
Sc4
Accountable To:
Neighbourhood Caretaking Team Leader
Number of Direct Reports:
None
DBS Required:
Yes – Basic
Job Purpose:
To work as part of a team in delivering cleaner, safer and well maintained estates and blocks whilst continuously improving services to the common parts of estates in accordance with agreed targets and the aspirations of residents.
Special Conditions:
In line with other Local Authorities and similar organisations this post will require a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Key Accountabilities:
To be responsible for completing cleaning tasks in compliance with schedules, frequencies and methods which are defined or may be amended in accordance with the guidelines or as directed by Neighbourhood Caretaking Team Leader.
Utilising equipment and technology, as directed and provided, for the better performance of the required duties.
To work as part of a team in delivering measurable increases in customer satisfaction levels.
To actively engage as part of the Environmental Services team to seek more efficient and effective methods of ensuring that estates are clean and safe for residents who live there as well as visitors.
To achieve cleaning requirements as set out in the local work programme using appropriate equipment and chemicals in accordance with health and safety guidelines.
To clean all common parts of a housing estate, in accordance with the local work programme, schedules and frequencies. Methods required, which, not exclusively, will include:
The sweeping and/or washing of all communal staircases, entrances, foyers, passages, courtyards, car parks, hard standing areas, chute chamber rooms and refuse storage rooms.
The cleaning and/or washing of lift car floors and walls, lamp shades and diffusers, estate signs, stair balustrades, estate furniture and other such communal fixtures and fittings as may be prescribed.
In accordance with the local work programme, schedules and frequencies and/or as required:
Remove and cleanly dispose of any overspill in refuse container storage rooms.
Rotate refuse containers to avoid such overspills as required.
Check refuse chutes and if possible, clear blockages. If not possible to clear, report to the Neighbourhood Caretaking Team Leader or other appropriate officer.
Empty and clean estate litterbins.
Remove weeds and other plant material, as required, from hard standing areas.
Litter pick all estate shrub/rose/flower beds.
Sweep all hard standing communal areas including car parks, playgrounds and drying areas.
Remove graffiti from any estate area within agreed timescales: Abusive/offensive/illegal = 24 hours. All other graffiti within 5 working days.
To liaise with residents, Safer Tower Hamlets Teams, Estate Wardens and other services in emergency situations.
To ensure that all estate incidents are recorded and such information provided to the Neighbourhood Caretaking Team Leader.
On a daily basis examine the status of communal estate lighting, replacing defective light bulbs during this examination or when identified as needing so, and in accordance with agreed schedules, frequencies, methods and as required.
To carry out monthly health and safety and fire risk inspection of all communal internal and external areas and keep written or electronic record of this. Any identified defects of safety concerns to be dealt by or reported to relevant department.
To ensure that quality and excellent customer care and the aspirations of residents are integrated into all aspects of service provision.
To ensure all tasks undertaken are carried out in accordance with Health and Safety guidelines.
Promptly report all matters discovered during in the course of his/her duties, which might be considered to prejudice the health and safety or wellbeing of staff, residents or visitors to the housing estates, and where possible, taking such immediate action to make safe, as may be required to eliminate such risks.
To be responsible for the control, safekeeping and day-to-day maintenance of equipment.
In the event of adverse weather, take such measures including the clearing of snow, leaf clearing and the application of salt on hard surfaces or such other methods as directed, to ensure that, as far as may be practical, safe access to dwellings and common parts on housing estates is maintained.
The removal of bulk refuse deposited within the estate to a designated collection point ensuring the compliance of Health and Safety regulations.
THH reserves the right to change the working patterns in future to ensure that the hours of the service reflects the needs of residents.
Meet the diverse needs of residents and staff, and promote equality in the workplace and wider community.
Carry out other reasonable ad hoc duties to support the Directorate which are commensurate with the expectation of the post as directed by the line manager or the Head of Service.
Health & Safety
The postholder is required to comply with all Health & Safety at work policies, procedures and guidelines, which form part of this job description. The postholder must look after their own health, safety and welfare and be mindful of other persons who may be affected by their acts. Employees must co-operate and comply with management instructions regarding Health and Safety issues and report all accidents, incidents and problems as soon as practicable to their line manager or other manager.
Equality and Diversity
The postholder is required to promote diversity in the workplace by actively promoting the principles of THH’s Diversity Strategy. It is the duty of the postholder not to act in a prejudicial or discriminatory manner towards employees or resident. The postholder should counteract such practice or behaviour by challenging or reporting it.
Safeguarding
THH is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults. Safe recruitment of staff is central to this commitment, and THH will ensure that its recruitment policies and practices are robust, and that selection procedures prevent unsuitable people from gaining access to vulnerable adults.
All staff working with Vulnerable Adults should be aware of, and share the commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults when applying for posts at THH.
Person Specification: Staff Level
Each of the criteria listed will be assessed as follows:
A = Application I = Interview T = Test
Competency
Overall Definition at Staff Level
Assessment Method
Customer Excellence
Provides excellent customer service in a respectful and timely manner. Treating internal customers and external customers as individuals, seeking to understand their needs, communicating effectively with customers in a way which suits them and keeping customers informed.
A/I/T
Working Together for Excellence
Co-operates with others, respects we must work together for the benefit of Tower Hamlets Homes overall and to contribute to the work of others to create a positive working environment. Influencing and negotiating with colleagues to deliver better services.
A/I
Planning and Prioritising for Excellence
Is clear on what is needed to do job effectively. Plans workload, prioritising time and activities. Thinks about the impact of their work on others and considers who else may need to be involved. Makes the best use of the resources available to deliver the results required.
A/I/T
Delivering for Excellence
Has high personal standards and takes responsibility and ownership of the decisions they make. Tries to thoroughly understand problems and situations by asking questions, making use of technical knowledge and skills, and providing solutions that work for customers and Tower Hamlets Homes.
A/I/T
Striving for Excellence
Keeps up to date with change, getting involved when they can and learning lessons from past situations to improve how, they and others can deliver excellent services. Keeps knowledge up-to-date and develops skills to do the job better.
A/I
Attribute
Requirements
Assessment Method
Education and Experience
Essential Criteria
Experience of working in a customer focused environment
Experience of meeting targets
Desirable Criteria
Experience of working with people from different backgrounds
A/I
A/I
A/I
Knowledge
Essential Criteria
Understanding of the diverse needs of residents and staff
Knowledge of and commitment to customer care
Understanding of the importance of an effective caretaking service
Desirable Criteria
Knowledge of health and safety regulations
Knowledge of the mechanical equipment and cleaning materials used for estate cleaning
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
Skills and Abilities
Essential Criteria
Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing
Able to work closely and establish positive relationships with residents and staff
A/I
A/I
Additional Requirements
More Information
- Address Tower Hamlets
