Caretaker in Manchester

Together we make a difference, develop and learn, and support each other. Every day with us is different, but our mission remains the same: To champion the rights, needs and ambitions of the people we support - they are at the heart of everything we do. We stand by them and we work together for change. We believe that everyone deserves a chance to learn and space to thrive and that the right education can change lives. You’ll help break down barriers to education for young people, helping them learn and grow at their own pace.

Role Overview

The role is to be responsible for the day‑to‑day care and maintenance of the Bridge College buildings and the surrounding areas and to assist in the implementation of security and health and safety procedures within these establishments.

Location: Bridge College, Openshaw. Contract: Permanent. Hours: 37.5 hours per week (11am‑7pm, but can be discussed at interview).

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure that the college is opened and closed as required, which includes checking and securing all buildings at the end of the day, liaising with contract cleaners when appropriate.
• Ensure that adequate arrangements are in place for the opening of all buildings before the beginning of the day, and check that lighting, heating and water supplies are satisfactory.
• Move and arrange furniture and fittings as required.
• Undertake routine maintenance, repairs and decorative work.
• Perform necessary administrative tasks (e.g. passing on delivery notes, timesheets, receipts, etc.).
• Act as key holder for the buildings, attending the site as required by senior staff or the security service, and liaising with the security company and Central Office staff.
• Support the headteacher and operations coordinator in securing a safe environment for staff and visitors by following the Trust’s Health and Safety procedure, including conducting H&S checks, monitoring potential hazards, regularly checking fire bells/alarm, participating in the running of regular fire drills, reporting faults in equipment and/or problems with procedure, checking locks and security alarms, ensuring PAT testing and other electrical checks are undertaken.
• Ensure that the buildings, playgrounds and external environment are maintained to a high standard and are safe.
• Undertake general maintenance work (windows, window frames, doors, casing, skirting, locks, door closures, general joinery, plumbing, tiling, decorating, etc.) and deal with minor incidents/breakages, securing broken windows and arranging for replacements.
• Change locks and have keys cut as required.
• Make secure any broken windows as soon as practicable and arrange for re‑glazing.

About You

• Educated to secondary school level - desirable.
• Building Trades qualification - desirable.
• Experience of undertaking a range of practical tasks within a building including minor repairs, joinery, painting and decorating.
• Experience of securing premises including the operation of security systems.
• Experience working knowledge of building regulation and facilities management.
• Extensive knowledge of plumbing, electrical work, joinery & decorating – good DIY skills.
• Knowledge of COSH regulations.
• Full clean driving licence.
• Reliable and good timekeeper.
• Good communication skills with adults & young people.
• Ability to prioritise, work to deadlines and use own initiative.
• Ability to work as a member of the school team.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the Trust including some evening and weekend work with time off in lieu.
• Available to act as key holder and attend emergency call‑outs.

Benefits

• Annual leave 27 day holiday plus 8 days bank holidays rising to 30 after 5 years, 33 days after 10 years.
• Generous pension scheme and death in service benefit, up to 7% company pension contributions initially rising with length of service and up to 6× basic salary death in service benefit.
• Occupational sick pay and family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Reward and discount platform offering discounts at high‑street shops, travel, insurances etc.
• Eligibility to apply for Blue Light card.
• Proud to be a real living wage employer.
• Refer a friend scheme, be rewarded for recommending a friend to work with us.
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including apprenticeship qualifications.
• Long service awards including cash gifts and extra holiday.
• Promotion of wellbeing across the organisation including Mental Health First Aider offering wellbeing support from trained colleague and free weekly yoga sessions in‑person or online.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for you and adults at your home.

Equality, Diversity and Safeguarding

Applications are very welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socio‑economic background. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled people. We positively encourage applications from those with lived experience. If any part of your lived experience you want to keep confidential, please talk to the Recruitment or HR shared service teams and we will do what we can to support you. The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy, including an Enhanced DBS check (at no cost to yourself). This role will involve regulated activity.