At a Glance
- Tasks: Keep our estates clean and safe while working independently and as part of a supportive team.
- Company: Join Milton Keynes City Council, dedicated to creating healthier communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, excellent pension, and discounts on travel and entertainment.
- Other info: Great training opportunities and a chance to grow within a large organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Must have a full Manual UK driving licence and good communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 26824 - 28142 £ per year.
We’re recruiting a Caretaker to join our Estate Services team within Housing Operations at Milton Keynes City Council. The Estate Services team is responsible for the caretaking and cleaning of the Council’s housing stock, focusing on communal areas across more than 500 residential blocks. Our tenants and leaseholders contribute a weekly service charge towards these caretaking and cleaning services, making the quality of this work vital to their daily experience of their homes.
You’ll play a key role in keeping our estates clean, safe and well‐maintained, working independently while being part of a supportive and well‐organised team. This is a hands‐on, rewarding role that directly supports cleaner, safer and healthier communities across Milton Keynes.
Site-Based role
This is a Site-Based role, and you’ll be expected to work from the designated workplace.
Main Responsibilities
- Carrying out scheduled caretaking and cleaning duties across a designated group of housing blocks to a high standard.
- Taking responsibility for the overall appearance and upkeep of estates, reporting issues and working with colleagues and contractors to resolve them.
- Completing estate and block inspections to ensure health and safety standards are met.
- Undertaking spot cleaning, minor repairs and fire safety checks, keeping accurate records using Council systems.
- Communicating clearly with residents and housing colleagues about works, access arrangements and safety information.
- Using Council vehicles, tools and equipment safely and in line with policy.
The Ideal Candidate
- Someone who can complete physical and manual handling tasks safely on a daily basis.
- A colleague who communicates well and is comfortable dealing directly with residents and contractors.
- Someone who can work independently but values being part of a wider Estate Services team.
- A person who can use mobile devices and basic IT systems to record work and inspections.
- Someone who understands the importance of health and safety and follows procedures at all times.
Full Manual UK Driving Licence
To be successful in this role, you’ll need a full Manual UK driving licence. If we offer you the role, we’ll ask you to provide evidence of your driving licence. We’re unable to confirm an appointment until these documents are received. As part of the pre-employment checks, should you be offered the role, we’ll carry out a Basic DBS.
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can access low‐cost leasing of electric and low‐emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences. Milton Keynes City Council is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. We actively encourage applications from candidates who bring a range of perspectives, particularly those from underrepresented groups.
Caretaker employer: Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With competitive benefits such as generous holiday allowances, a robust pension scheme, and access to an award-winning employee benefits programme, staff are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Working in the heart of Milton Keynes, you'll play a vital role in enhancing community living while enjoying the stability and opportunities that come with being part of a large, modern organisation dedicated to making a positive impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Caretaker
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Milton Keynes.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Milton Keynes!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Milton Keynes, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Milton Keynes or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Caretaker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Milton Keynes:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Milton Keynes! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Milton Keynes
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
