At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support the housekeeping team to maintain high cleanliness standards.
- Company: Family-run care home dedicated to resident dignity and comfort.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a caring team that values respect and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives through exceptional housekeeping.
- Qualifications: Experience in housekeeping and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 22950 - 28050 £ 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, first impressions, resident comfort, family confidence and the overall quality of daily life.
About This Role
The Head Housekeeper leads, organises and supports the housekeeping and laundry function so that Oaklands consistently meets high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, presentation, odour control and resident comfort. This is a hands-on leadership role. You will work alongside the housekeeping team while also setting standards, supporting staff, maintaining records, managing schedules and stock, and ensuring the function runs safely and consistently. The right person will have pride in standards, attention to detail, strong organisation and a clear understanding that housekeeping is part of resident care — not separate from it.
Role Details
- Reports To: Registered Manager / Deputy Manager
- Accountable To: Registered Manager and Directors
- Location: Oaklands Rest Home, Marchwood, New Forest
- DBS Required: Yes — enhanced DBS check required
Main Responsibilities
- Leading the Housekeeping Team
- Lead and support the housekeeping and laundry team day to day
- Organise housekeeping duties, rotas and allocation of work
- Ensure cleaning schedules are followed and completed to the expected standard
- Leave clear instructions for the team when you are absent
- Support new housekeeping and laundry staff during induction
- Encourage teamwork, good communication and pride in standards
- Challenge poor practice or missed standards appropriately
- Escalate staffing, equipment, stock or performance concerns promptly
- Cleaning Standards and Presentation
- Work as part of the housekeeping team and carry out cleaning duties where required
- Oversee the cleanliness and presentation of residents' rooms, bathrooms, toilets, wet rooms, lounges, corridors and communal areas
- Support deep cleans, room turnouts and scheduled cleaning tasks
- Ensure the home feels fresh, clean, safe, welcoming and well cared for
- Monitor odours, stains, clutter, dust, high-touch areas and general presentation
- Ensure residents' personal spaces are cleaned respectfully and treated as their home
- Infection Prevention and Health and Safety
- Support safe and consistent infection prevention and control practice
- Ensure colour-coded equipment, PPE and chemicals are used and stored correctly
- Help ensure COSHH and health and safety requirements are followed
- Report hazards, defects, spillages, equipment faults and infection control concerns promptly
- Ensure cleaning equipment is clean, safe and well maintained
- Promote safe ways of working across the housekeeping team
- Laundry and Resident Belongings
- Oversee laundry standards where the laundry function sits within housekeeping
- Ensure residents' clothing, bedding and garments are handled respectfully and carefully
- Support processes for labelling, sorting, washing, drying, ironing and returning items
- Report missing, damaged or wrongly labelled items promptly
- Ensure laundry areas are tidy, safe and organised
- Audits, Records and Quality
- Maintain accurate cleaning and housekeeping records
- Check that housekeeping activity is recorded properly using Oaklands' systems
- Support scheduled housekeeping, infection control or environmental audits
- Identify themes, gaps or repeated issues and escalate to management
- Use audit findings to improve standards — not just complete paperwork
- Ensure records are ready for management, governance and inspection review
- Stock, Supplies and Maintenance
- Monitor cleaning products, paper goods, laundry supplies and housekeeping stock
- Reorder stock as agreed and avoid unnecessary waste
- Maintain safe, tidy and organised storage areas
- Liaise with suppliers and contractors where required
- Log maintenance issues using Centrim or agreed systems
- Alert management to supply, equipment or cost concerns
- Safeguarding and Resident Wellbeing
- Work respectfully around residents, including those living with dementia
- Report any concern about a resident's wellbeing, environment, belongings or safety promptly
- Protect residents' dignity, privacy and personal space
- Understand that changes in a resident's room or environment may indicate a wider concern
- Follow safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures where required
What Good Looks Like
In this role, strong performance means:
- The home consistently feels clean, fresh and welcoming
- Residents' rooms are treated as personal homes
- Bathrooms and high-touch areas are hygienic and well-stocked
- Housekeeping staff understand their duties and standards
- Cleaning schedules and deep cleans are completed reliably
- Audits lead to real improvement, not just paperwork
- Odours, stains and hazards are noticed and acted on early
- Laundry is handled carefully and respectfully
- Managers trust the housekeeping function without constant chasing
- Families experience Oaklands as well cared for and professional
- Stock and defects are managed proactively
- The team understands that housekeeping is part of resident dignity
This Role Is Not Right For Everyone
Please read this honestly. This role is not suitable for someone who:
- Is uncomfortable leading others or giving feedback
- Avoids responsibility for standards, records or follow-up
- Cuts corners when under pressure
- Is careless with infection control, chemicals or cleaning equipment
- Is disorganised with stock, schedules or documentation
- Does not respect residents' rooms and belongings as personal
- Struggles to communicate with care, maintenance and management teams
- Is unreliable with timekeeping or attendance
- Avoids reporting issues, hazards or concerns
- Sees housekeeping as unimportant to resident experience
Person Specification
- Essential
- Previous housekeeping, domestic, cleaning, laundry or environmental services experience
- Pride in cleanliness, hygiene and presentation
- Ability to organise work and support a small team
- Reliability and good timekeeping
- Attention to detail and willingness to maintain standards consistently
- Understanding of infection control, health and safety and safe use of cleaning products
- Ability to work respectfully around residents and visitors
- Confidence communicating with colleagues, managers and contractors
- Willingness to use systems such as cleaning records, stock records and maintenance reporting
- Willingness to complete required training
- Desirable
- Previous experience as a Head Housekeeper, supervisor or team leader
- Experience in a care home, healthcare, hotel or hospitality environment
- COSHH or infection control training
- Experience managing cleaning schedules, audits or stock ordering
- Experience supporting staff induction or supervision
- 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. The Head Housekeeper plays a central role in making that real, every single day.
Head Housekeeper in New Milton employer: Oaklands Rest Home
Oaklands Rest Home is an attractive employer due to its commitment to employee development and a supportive work culture. The company invests in training and offers clear pathways for career progression, making it a great place for individuals looking to grow in the healthcare sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Housekeeper in New Milton
✨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 Oaklands Rest Home. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Oaklands Rest Home
Don't be shy about reaching out to Oaklands Rest Home 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 Head Housekeeper in New Milton
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 Oaklands Rest Home 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 Oaklands Rest Home
✨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!
