Overview
Job summary: 37.5 hours per week. To provide a high standard of domestic, catering and general household duties within a ward environment for people with mental health problems. Duties will be carried out in line with the National standards of cleanliness.
Confidentiality
Strictly apply the rule of confidentiality with regard to confidential information concerning service users and their care. Maintain confidentiality regarding colleagues 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.
Establish and maintain good working relationships and clear areas of communications with ward staff and service users whilst delivering the core duties of a housekeeping service.
Key responsibilities
1. Housekeeping duties
o Receive and store all food in accordance with set standards and Trust policy.
o Check stocks of sundry items, food and linen.
o Store linen and personal clothing as laundered and ensure sufficient stocks are available at all times to meet service user requirements.
o Support service users in guiding them to use laundry equipment when required.
o Communicate with multidisciplinary teams (nursing staff, catering, dieticians and facilities) to ensure service users receive special diets in accordance with nutritional requirements and care plans.
o Liaise and communicate any menu changes and answer queries relating to menu changes with service users and nursing staff.
2. General duties
o Provide a housekeeping service within ward 18 and its garden areas and report discrepancies as they occur.
o Laundry area is kept clean; clinic room wipe down; tables, trolleys and work surfaces maintained.
o Maintain courtyards, keep litter-free and ensure bins are emptied; replenish consumables (paper towels, toilet rolls, soap, etc.).
o Report mechanical defects, pest sightings or building/environmental faults to appropriate personnel.
o Follow unit procedures for securing and locking doors; spot-clean spillages in line with Infection Control and Health and Safety polices.
o Open patient bedrooms doors when required and ensure information packs are in all bedrooms.
3. Dining, Kitchen area & Kitchenette
o Keep the service users kitchen area clean and stocked; clean kitchen surfaces; ensure items in service users fridge are stored in accordance with Trust policy; check fridge temperatures.
o Damp mop kitchen floors and spot mop spillages.
o Monitor and advise patients on healthy eating options where required; distribute snacks to service users.
4. Sanitary fittings
o Clean commodes, shower chairs and assisted bathroom hoists; keep sluice areas clean.
o Replenish supplies of paper towels, toilet rolls and soap as required.
5. Bedrooms
o Reset safes; ensure name plates on bedroom doors; ensure information packs are in all bedrooms.
o Build a good therapeutic relationship with service users to encourage them to take care of their living space; be available to open patients' bedroom doors; spot-clean as required.
o Alert nurse in charge to any food item found that contravenes unit policies.
6. Property
o Organise and maintain tidiness of patients’ property cupboard; assist with auditing and monitoring patient property sheets and disclaimer forms.
o Assist service users with laundry requirements and use of laundry equipment.
7. Weekly duties
o X2 weekly conduct required flush regime; check cupboards are clean and dust-free; clean microwaves and fridges; check chairs/furniture for wear and tear.
Vaccination
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.
Qualifications and experience
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.
Experience and qualifications
* 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 patient-focused environment.
* Essential: Level 2 Certificate in Food Safety or willingness to undertake and complete within 12 months; Basic literacy and numeric skills.
Person specification
* Good interpersonal skills; able to communicate with service users, colleagues and visitors in a courteous and sensitive manner.
* Ability to work without immediate supervision, prioritise and use own initiative.
* Positive can-do attitude; smart appearance; ability to work as part of a team; flexible approach to working patterns and unpredictable environments; caring, friendly attitude; ability to deliver high standards of work.
Other
This post is sponsored under UK Visas and Immigration provisions where applicable; we look forward to your application.
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, by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in clinical and non-clinical roles who work 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 reflect our communities.
Being a foundation Trust means we are accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we’re 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 expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.
We reserve the right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.
Details
Date posted: 12 September 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 2
Salary: £24,465 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: C9378-CK2309A
Job location: The Calderdale Royal Hospital, Huddersfield Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 0PW
Notes
For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.
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