Housekeeper in Edinburgh

Job Purpose

The Housekeeper helps create a safe, welcoming and dignified environment for families staying at the House.

By maintaining consistently high standards of cleanliness and presentation, and by providing a warm, reassuring presence, the role supports families' comfort and wellbeing during what can be a highly stressful time.

The Housekeeper also works alongside volunteers and colleagues to support front-of-house activity and events, as required.

Key Responsibilities

• 1. House Standards and Environment
• Clean and maintain family rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, lounges, dining areas and other communal spaces to a consistently high standard.
• Prepare rooms promptly, ensuring they are comfortable, hygienic and ready for incoming families.
• Take pride in how the House looks, feels and functions, proactively spotting what needs attention throughout the day.
• Use sound judgement to maintain standards consistently and raise concerns promptly when expectations are not being met.
• 2. Family Interaction and Experience
• Welcome and engage with families in a warm, respectful and compassionate way, recognising that Housekeepers are often among the first staff members families see each day.
• Provide a consistent, familiar presence that contributes to families feeling safe, reassured and cared for.
• Respond to queries about room standards, comfort and the House environment, resolving issues where possible and escalating appropriately.
• Be mindful of families' needs while maintaining privacy, confidentiality and professional boundaries at all times.
• 3. Safeguarding Awareness and Professional Conduct
• Maintain awareness of safeguarding principles and always follow House safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Notice changes in the House environment or a family's presentation that may indicate additional support is needed and share concerns promptly with the appropriate team member.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion, in line with House policy.
• Help maintain a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for families, volunteers and colleagues.
• 4. Operational Support, Volunteers and Events
• Work collaboratively with volunteers, helping them carry out their roles effectively and reinforcing House standards and expectations.
• Support in-house events and activities, including preparation and set-up, to help maintain a welcoming environment for families.
• Provide reception cover where required, acting as a welcoming first point of contact and signposting queries appropriately.
• Work closely with Family Services Assistants, Deputies and other team members to support smooth day-to-day operations.
• 5. Health, Safety and Compliance
• Follow health and safety procedures, including the safe use of cleaning equipment and materials.
• Store cleaning products securely and in line with COSHH requirements.
• Support infection control, fire safety and emergency procedures as required.
• Report maintenance, safety or environmental concerns promptly using House reporting processes.
• What Success Looks Like
• Families consistently experience a clean, calm and welcoming environment that supports comfort, dignity and wellbeing.
• House standards are maintained throughout shifts, with issues resolved quickly or escalated appropriately.
• The housekeeping function contributes positively to the wider House culture and supports smooth day-to-day operations.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience of cleaning to a high standard in a domestic, hospitality, healthcare or similar environment.
• A warm, respectful approach when working around families in sensitive circumstances.
• Good awareness of health and safety, including safe handling and storage of cleaning materials (COSHH).
• Able to work independently, use initiative and prioritise tasks to meet daily needs.
• Reliable, punctual and flexible to meet service needs (including occasional reception or event support).
• Able to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a family support, charity, hospitality or front-of-house setting.
• Safeguarding training (or willingness to complete training as part of induction).
• Working Pattern and Requirements

Working hours

• A range of hours available
• Weekend / bank holiday working

Physical requirements

Regular standing, bending, lifting and carrying of cleaning materials/equipment.

Safer recruitment checks

Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and required pre-employment checks, including a DBS.

There is no staff parking available directly at the hospital, however there is a Park and Ride