Environmental Services Cleaner

Role overview

Onward Homes is recruiting a Cleaning Operative to support scheme communal areas and shared properties across Handforth, Macclesfield, Stockport, and Wilmslow. This is an on-site role, and you may occasionally be asked to work outside normal hours when needed. A full UK driving licence is essential.

The main aim of the post is to maintain a consistently high level of cleanliness in communal spaces by working to agreed cleaning standards.

Pay and benefits

• Annual salary of £26,200.
• 32 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, giving a total of 40 paid days off each year, which is the same as 8 weeks.
• Access to Salary Finance, including short- and long-term loans and a savings option.
• Extra holiday can be earned through length of service or bought through the holiday purchase scheme.
• Membership of the pension scheme from day one, with employer contributions matched up to 10%.
• Flexible working culture with family-friendly policies.
• Health cash plan with financial support for dental, optical, physiotherapy, and 24-hour private GP access, with the option to extend cover to family members.
• Paid leave for sickness, maternity, paternity, and adoption.
• Up to £150 per year through the Learning for Life scheme.
• Access to retail, motoring, holiday, and cycle-to-work discounts, plus cashback offers.
• Support for career growth, training, and professional qualifications.

Key duties

• Carry out routine cleaning in sheltered housing, supported living, specialist schemes, flats, and other communal areas in line with the cleaning specification and quality schedules.
• Complete tasks such as vacuuming, mopping, wiping, dusting, cleaning internal windows, frames and sills, and emptying communal bins and bin areas.
• Make sure cleaned areas are left safe and properly signed off.
• Handle occasional ad hoc cleaning requests as required.
• Use internal systems to record completed work.
• Remove discarded needles and syringes and clean hazardous substances when trained and authorised to do so.
• Reorder and replenish cleaning materials and sundries when needed.
• Follow COSHH requirements when handling cleaning chemicals and always use the correct PPE.
• Carry out health, safety, and compliance checks such as water flushing, water temperature testing, and fire alarm testing, according to the work schedule.
• Complete daily vehicle and equipment checks where required, following safe systems of work.
• Report repairs and perform minor maintenance tasks such as replacing light bulbs.
• Attend training sessions and seminars when asked.

Skills, experience, and knowledge

• Proven background in delivering cleaning services to a range of customers.
• Hands-on experience using different cleaning methods and equipment such as mopping, dusting, wiping, and buffing.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team and follow instructions.
• Strong time management and task prioritisation skills to meet required standards and deadlines.
• Willingness to work across different areas and take on varied duties.
• Previous experience in a similar cleaning position.
• Good customer service ability.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to follow procedures and provide operational performance data.
• Knowledge of hygiene regulations and COSHH requirements.
• Desirable: experience using smart devices such as a smartphone or iPad.
• Desirable: experience with facilities checks such as water testing and alarm testing.
• Desirable: a hygiene certificate or BICS qualification.

About Onward Homes

Onward Homes is one of the largest registered providers of social housing in the North West, managing 35,000 properties across the region. The organisation is committed to building 500 new homes every year and to creating positive communities as well as a supportive workplace where colleagues can develop and achieve their potential.

Onward Homes values diversity and inclusion, and aims to build teams that reflect the communities it serves. Reasonable adjustments can be provided during recruitment, and candidates with questions can contact the HR team at HumanResourcesTeam@onward.co.uk.

Additional information

This role may involve occasional out-of-hours working. Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence. Reference: #INDHP.