At a Glance
- Tasks: Keep our children's home clean and welcoming, ensuring a safe environment for young residents.
- Company: Join a caring team dedicated to supporting vulnerable children in Surrey.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, flexible leave options, and lifestyle discounts.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference every day in the lives of young people.
- Qualifications: Friendly, reliable, and proactive with attention to detail and good communication skills.
- Other info: Supportive team environment with opportunities for personal growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 18658 - 27986 £ per year.
Details
- Reference: SCC/TP/287911/4567
- Positions: 1
- Salary: £23,322 per annum
- Category: Caretaking & Cleaning
- Contract type: Permanent
- Working hours: 36 hours per week
- Posted on: 5 February 2026
- Location: Knaphill, Woking, Surrey
The starting salary for this permanent position is £23,322 per annum based on a 36-hour working week. The pattern of your hours can be discussed at interview.
We are looking for a dedicated and caring Cleaner (Housekeeper) to join our Children’s Home in Knaphill, Woking. As an essential part of our team, you will help create a warm, safe and welcoming environment for up to four children aged 11–18. This isn’t just a cleaning role - it’s a chance to contribute to a home where children feel safe, supported, and able to thrive. You will be valued as a key member of the team and fully supported in your role.
Our offer to you:
- 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 after 2 years and 31 after 5 years
- Option to buy up to 10 extra days of annual leave
- Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days
- Paternity, adoption and dependants’ leave
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Learning and development hub with extensive resources
- Lifestyle and wellbeing discounts (gym, travel, shopping)
- The chance to make a meaningful difference every single day
About the role:
As our Cleaner (Housekeeper), you will take pride in keeping our home clean, organised and running smoothly. You will help maintain the spaces where our children eat, relax, learn, and feel safe - and your work will directly contribute to creating an environment where they can feel at home.
On a day to day basis you will be responsible for:
- Keeping communal areas clean, tidy, and well-maintained (where necessary using powered equipment e.g., vacuum cleaners, carpet shampoo machines)
- Following hygiene, health and safety, and infection control standards
- Supporting with laundry and ensuring bedding and towels are readily available
- Reporting maintenance issues and helping keep the home running smoothly and safely
- Ordering and checking the quality of all groceries and cleaning supplies delivered to the home, and ensuring they are stored and rotated safely to maintain a well-kept home environment.
- Contributing to a nurturing, supportive environment for our young residents
Shortlisting Criteria - what we are looking for:
Our team works closely to provide the best possible care for some of Surrey’s most vulnerable children. At times the work can be emotionally demanding and challenging so you will need to be adaptable and resilient working in this environment.
To be considered for shortlisting for this position you will clearly evidence how you align with our behaviours and how you are:
- Friendly, reliable and proactive
- Able to maintain high standards with good attention to detail
- Aware of health and safety requirements, including COSHH
- Organised, dependable and able to manage their time well
- Confident communicating and building appropriate relationships with young people
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a supportive team
- Committed to helping create a safe, welcoming home environment
Above all, you will treat our young people with dignity and respect - always remembering you are working in their home.
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and respond to our application questions:
- Please can you tell us about what has motivated you to apply for this position?
- Please can you tell us about any skills and experience you have that would be relevant for this position?
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.
Contact Us:
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact Sarah Muzzall by e-mail at residentialrecruitment@surreycc.gov.uk
This advert closes at 23:59 on 1st March 2026 with interviews to follow. We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children’s and Adults’ Barred List checks will be required for this role.
Local Government Reorganisation: Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we are committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Cleaner Children\'s Residential (Housekeeper) (reference: SCC/TP/287911/4567) in Knaphill employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cleaner Children\'s Residential (Housekeeper) (reference: SCC/TP/287911/4567) in Knaphill
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out their website and social media. This will help you understand what they value and how you can fit in. Plus, it gives you some great talking points during the interview!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your experience and how it aligns with the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for the role! When you're in the interview, let them know why you want to be a Cleaner (Housekeeper) in a children's residential setting. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your dedication to creating a safe and welcoming environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and reinforces your interest in the position. Plus, it keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Cleaner Children\'s Residential (Housekeeper) (reference: SCC/TP/287911/4567) in Knaphill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’ll help you understand what we’re looking for and how you can showcase your skills and experience to match our needs.
Be Personal and Genuine: When answering the application questions, let your personality shine through! Share your motivations and experiences in a way that feels authentic to you. We want to know the real you!
Highlight Relevant Skills: Make sure to emphasise any skills or experiences that relate directly to the role. Whether it’s your attention to detail or your ability to create a welcoming environment, we want to see how you fit into our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your CV and answers to our questions. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Cleaner (Housekeeper) in a children's residential setting. Familiarise yourself with the specific tasks mentioned in the job description, like maintaining hygiene standards and creating a welcoming environment for the children.
✨Show Your Caring Side
This role is all about creating a safe and nurturing home for young people. Be prepared to share examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to connect with children and contribute positively to their environment. Highlight any relevant skills or experiences that showcase your caring nature.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Health and Safety
Since health and safety are crucial in this role, brush up on your knowledge of hygiene standards and COSHH regulations. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure a clean and safe environment for the children, as well as how you handle cleaning supplies and equipment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions that show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about the team dynamics, the support available for staff, or how they measure success in creating a positive environment for the children. This will demonstrate your commitment to being part of their team.
