Assistant Caretaker

Main Purpose of the Role

To assist the Caretaker and Site Manager in providing a caretaking service for the school, ensuring that the school premises are cleaned to the approved specification and taking responsibility for the security and day-to-day maintenance of the school site in their absence. 

To ensure that the school provides a safe, clean and secure environment for its pupils.

To provide cover for site staff during periods of leave or absence

Hours of work: 36 hours per week plus breaks of 45 minutes a day.  Flexible shifts are required from 5.30am to cover school opening and closure, including events during school time as approved by the Headteacher to cover the school day, lettings and events including weekends. 

Time in lieu may be required to be taken instead of additional hours or overtime.

Indicative shifts are 5.30am-1.30pm or 12.30pm – 8.30pm subject to events and lettings. Some weekend work may be required for events and lets. Additionally, split shifts may be required to cover holidays.

Holiday periods

Basic shifts worked in Holiday periods will start and finish according to the requirements of contractors and summer cleaners. Shifts should be planned to minimise the need for overtime.

General Responsibilities

Security

·     To ensure that the buildings and site are left in a secure situation which includes locking/unlocking of school gates and external and internal doors and closing windows.

• Alert the Site Manager (School Business Leader, if absent) to any risk of a breach to security.
• To open and close the school site each day.
• To patrol the site to check for hazards, damages and intruders.

Lighting and Heating

• To assist the Caretaker or Site Manager as required with the schools lighting and heating.
• To assist in controlling the level of heating and ventilating throughout the buildings as required.

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Cleaning

• To undertake cleaning tasks as required (toilets, for example).
• To assist with the supervision (liaising with the cleaning supervisor) of cleaners to ensure that the standard of cleaning throughout the buildings to maintain to high standards.
• To advise the Caretakers and Site Manager of consumable stock levels and assist with ordering.

Porterage

·       Act as porter for deliveries, furniture removals or any other lifting tasks as required by the school.

·       Stock and maintain photocopiers to minimise the need to refill during the school day.

·       Set-ups for school meetings or functions with minor hospitality (tea, coffee, etc.)

Site

• Assist in such site work, grounds work and maintenance work and repairs that do not require the employment of a contractor or supervision.
• Assist site staff as required with school events.
• Ensure that playgrounds, paths and driveways are in a satisfactory condition eg. leaves, snow clearing and salting as required.
• Remove graffiti where possible from all areas, windows and other surfaces as required.
• Clean floors and/or furnishing after any sickness has occurred during the active duty period and ensure wet floor signs are always put out when required.
• General care of the playgrounds and open areas surrounding the premises.
• Ensure that all drains and gullies are kept clear.

Lettings

• Cover lettings of school premises, including opening and locking up and general supervision to ensure that the premises are left in a clean and tidy condition at the end of the letting.

Contractors

• In the absence of senior site staff to act as Liaison Officer with Contractors and the School or external agencies as appropriate, regarding access to the site.
• Refer any contractor queries to the Site Manager, Caretaker, School Business Leader or Headteacher as available.  Assisting site management in ensuring that work is carried out to the required standard, as appropriate.

Training

• Undertake training/attend courses as appropriate to carry out caretaking duties in a safe and efficient manner.

Supervision

• Assist in the supervision of the school cleaning staff (including agency staff and guidance and support are available as necessary referring to senior site staff where appropriate.

Health and Safety

• Duties to be undertaken in accordance with Health and Safety legislation and to wear protective clothing as required.

General

• Assist in the maintenance of checklists.
• Respond in a courteous manner to enquiries from the school community and external visitors as appropriate.
• Undertake any other broadly analogous duties as may be allocated from time to time.
• Refer any issues with staff to the Site Manager in the first instance, or School Business Leader or Headteacher in their absence.

Specific Duties

This is a description of the main duties and responsibilities of the post at the date of production. The duties may change over time as requirements and circumstances change.  The person in the post may also have to carry out other duties as the Headteacher may reasonably direct from time to time.

General Requirements

·       Take part in the school’s performance management system.

·       Enhanced DBS Check.

·       You must promote and safeguard the welfare of children, young and vulnerable people that you are responsible for or come into contact with.

·       To participate in school emergencies as required, including co-ordinating arrangements, locating students and relevant staff, providing contact details and completing necessary documentation.

·       To attend training sessions and meetings as required especially role specific e.g., Health & Safety.