Lead House Keeper in Stanmore

The Head Housekeeper is responsible for leading and coordinating the housekeeping service to ensure the hospital environment is consistently clean, safe, and therapeutic for patients, staff, and visitors. The postholder will oversee a team of ~four Housekeepers, ensuring all cleaning tasks are completed to a high standard and in line with infection prevention and control requirements, CQC regulations, and organisational policies. The role requires strong leadership, excellent organisational skills, and a calm, supportive approach suited to a mental health setting.

Main duties of the job

• Provide day to day supervision, guidance and support to a team of Housekeepers.
• Allocate daily tasks, manage rotas, and ensure adequate staffing levels across all areas.
• Ensure all areas of the hospital including wards, patient bedrooms, bathrooms, clinical rooms, offices and communal spaces are cleaned to a consistently high standard.
• Ensure full compliance with infection prevention and control (IPC) policies including hand hygiene, PPE use and cleaning protocols.
• Monitor and maintain stock levels of cleaning materials, consumables and equipment.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation including COSHH, Health & Safety at Work Act and CQC standards.
• Work collaboratively with clinical, administrative and facilities teams to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment.

About us

Ashton House is a small, friendly mental health unit for men with complex needs. We are a friendly and welcoming team who work together to get the job done. We recognise that the housekeeping team are integral to our success and support the men in our care along their recovery pathway and as such the Lead Housekeeper will be a part of the MDT and will be encouraged to contribute to the team.

Job responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management

• Provide day to day supervision, guidance and support to a team of Housekeepers.
• Allocate daily tasks, manage rotas and ensure adequate staffing levels across all areas.
• Support staff development through training, a coaching approach and competency assessments.
• Promote a positive, respectful and inclusive team culture.

• Ensure all areas of the hospital including wards, patient bedrooms, bathrooms, clinical rooms, offices and communal spaces are cleaned to a consistently high standard.
• Oversee the completion of daily, weekly and deep cleaning schedules.
• Respond promptly to urgent cleaning requests, spillages and infection related incidents.
• Carry out regular audits and quality checks, taking corrective action where required.
• Maintain accurate records of cleaning schedules, audits and incident reports.

• Ensure full compliance with infection prevention and control (IPC) policies, including hand hygiene, PPE use and cleaning protocols.
• Work closely with clinical teams to support isolation procedures, enhanced cleaning and outbreak management.
• Ensure safe and compliant use of cleaning chemicals in line with COSHH regulations.

• Monitor and maintain stock levels of cleaning materials, consumables and equipment.
• Ensure all equipment is used safely, stored correctly and maintained in good working order.
• Liaise with suppliers and facilities teams regarding repairs, replacements and procurement needs.
• Work collaboratively with clinical, administrative and facilities teams to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment.
• Communicate effectively with staff and patients, always maintaining professionalism and sensitivity.
• Escalate concerns relating to safety, cleanliness or maintenance promptly.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including COSHH, Health & Safety at Work Act and CQC standards.
• Participate in risk assessments and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Report accidents, incidents, and near misses in line with organisational procedures.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience working in housekeeping, cleaning, or facilities services.
• Previous experience supervising or leading a team.
• Experience working in a regulated environment (e.g., healthcare, care home, education, hospitality).
• Experience in a mental health, hospital, or clinical setting.
• Experience conducting audits or quality checks.

Qualifications

• Good standard of general education.
• Training in infection control, COSHH, or health and safety (or willingness to undertake).
• NVQ Level 2/3 in Cleaning and Support Services or equivalent.
• Leadership or supervisory training.

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.