At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain cleanliness and comfort in a family-run care home, ensuring residents feel safe and respected.
- Company: Oaklands Rest Home, a caring and supportive environment near the New Forest.
- Benefits: Join a team that values dignity, respect, and personal growth.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with a focus on resident wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives through your attention to cleanliness and care.
- Qualifications: Pride in cleanliness, reliability, and a respectful attitude towards residents.
The predicted salary is between 22500 - 27500 £ per year.
About Oaklands Rest Home
Oaklands Rest Home is a family-run care home based on the edge of the New Forest. We support residents to feel safe, respected, known and cared for as individuals.
In a care home, housekeeping is not just cleaning. It directly affects dignity, infection prevention, safety, comfort, first impressions and how residents feel in their own home.
About This Role
The Housekeeper / Domestic Assistant maintains high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, presentation and comfort throughout the home — including residents' rooms, bathrooms, communal areas and other agreed spaces. You will follow cleaning schedules, use products and equipment safely, report concerns promptly and work respectfully around residents and colleagues. You will help ensure Oaklands feels clean, fresh, safe and welcoming — without making residents feel disrupted or rushed.
This is not a background role. You are part of the care environment. What you do, how you do it and how you interact with residents matters.
Role Details
- Reports To: Head Housekeeper
- Accountable To: Registered Manager and Deputy Manager
- Location: Oaklands Rest Home, Marchwood, New Forest
- DBS Required: Yes — enhanced DBS check required
What This Role Is Really About
A resident's room is their home. You are not cleaning an empty space. You are working in someone's personal environment — their photos, their belongings, their bed, their space. Every room must be treated with that level of respect.
Standards matter even when nobody is watching. The right person for this role takes pride in doing the job properly every time — not because someone is checking, but because they care. Cutting corners in a care home has consequences for real people.
You are part of resident wellbeing. Clean rooms, fresh bathrooms, well-stocked supplies and a calm presence all affect how residents experience Oaklands. Families form opinions about the quality of our care partly from what they see and smell when they walk through the door.
Main Responsibilities
- Cleaning and Presentation
- Follow agreed cleaning schedules and task lists
- Clean residents' rooms, bathrooms, wet rooms, toilets, corridors, lounges and communal areas to a high standard
- Dust, vacuum, mop, disinfect, empty bins, clean mirrors, clean surfaces and refill supplies as required
- Spot clean walls, carpets, furniture and surfaces where needed
- Support deep cleans and room turnouts in line with schedules
- Help ensure the home smells fresh, feels clean and remains presentable
- Leave residents' rooms and shared areas tidy, safe and comfortable after cleaning
- Infection Prevention and Safe Practice
- Follow infection prevention and control procedures at all times
- Use cleaning products, colour-coded equipment and PPE correctly
- Store chemicals and equipment safely in line with COSHH requirements
- Report spills, hazards, defects or odours or infection control concerns promptly
- Avoid creating trip hazards or unsafe conditions while cleaning
- Clean bathrooms, toilets and high-touch areas thoroughly and consistently
- Respectful Working Around Residents
- Knock before entering residents' rooms and respect privacy and dignity
- Explain what you are doing where appropriate
- Work calmly and respectfully around residents, including those living with dementia
- Be mindful that a resident's room is their home — not just a room to clean
- Avoid moving personal items unnecessarily and report any concerns about belongings
- Be kind, patient and friendly in everyday interactions
- Report any concerns about a resident's wellbeing to the senior person on duty
- Laundry Support (Where Required)
- Support laundering of bedding, towels and garments as required
- Follow garment labels and laundry procedures carefully
- Handle residents' clothing respectfully
- Report missing, damaged or wrongly labelled items promptly
- Help ensure laundry is returned clean, fresh and appropriately managed
- Communication and Records
- Complete cleaning records accurately and promptly
- Report completed tasks, missed tasks or issues to the appropriate person
- Communicate respectfully with residents, relatives, visitors and colleagues
- Raise maintenance issues, equipment faults or low stock promptly
- Work with the Head Housekeeper, care team and management to maintain standards
What Good Looks Like
In this role, strong performance means:
- The home feels clean, fresh, safe and welcoming
- Residents' rooms are treated as personal homes
- Bathrooms and toilets are hygienic and well-stocked
- Cleaning records are accurate and completed on time
- Hazards and concerns are reported promptly
- Residents, relatives and visitors experience the home as well cared for
- Infection prevention procedures are followed consistently
- You work around residents with kindness, dignity and patience
- Colleagues trust you to follow schedules and hold standards
- Oaklands feels homely rather than institutional
This Role Is Not Right For Everyone
Please read this honestly. This role is not suitable for someone who:
- Dislikes routine cleaning tasks or physical work
- Cuts corners when under time pressure
- Is careless with infection control, chemicals or equipment
- Is uncomfortable working around older people or people living with dementia
- Does not respect residents' rooms as personal spaces
- Is unreliable with timekeeping or attendance
- Avoids reporting problems, hazards or concerns
- Struggles to follow schedules, instructions or safe systems of work
- Sees housekeeping as unimportant to resident experience
Person Specification
- Essential
- Pride in cleanliness, hygiene and presentation
- Reliability and good timekeeping
- Ability to follow cleaning schedules and instructions
- Attention to detail
- Willingness to work around residents respectfully and patiently
- Understanding that housekeeping contributes to dignity, comfort and safety
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Willingness to follow infection control and health and safety procedures
- Ability to report hazards, defects or resident concerns promptly
- Willingness to complete required training
- Desirable
- Previous housekeeping, domestic, cleaning or laundry experience
- Experience in a care home, healthcare, hotel or hospitality environment
- Infection control or COSHH training
- Experience working around older people or people living with dementia
Additional Requirements
- DBS Check: Enhanced DBS check required
- Right to Work: Must have right to work in the UK
- References: Satisfactory references required
- Training: Completion of Oaklands induction and all mandatory training
- Flexibility: Flexibility to meet the needs of residents and the home
Our Values
Everything we do at Oaklands is guided by our core values: Caring, Respectful, Person-Centred, Informative, Innovative, Collaborative, Honest, Reliable, Open, Trusted. Our specialty is you — our residents. Every clean room, every fresh bathroom and every respectful interaction makes that real.
Housekeeper in Southampton employer: Marlacourt Limited
At Oaklands Rest Home, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a nurturing environment where compassion and reliability are at the heart of our care. Located in the picturesque New Forest, our supportive team culture fosters personal and professional growth, with opportunities for progression within the care team. We value our staff by providing funded DBS checks and flexible working hours, ensuring that you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of our residents while enjoying a rewarding career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housekeeper in Southampton
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Marlacourt Limited. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Marlacourt Limited
Don't be shy about reaching out to Marlacourt Limited directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Housekeeper in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Marlacourt Limited and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marlacourt Limited
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
