Cleaner Children's Residential

Surrey County Council; Knaphill; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Knaphill is seeking a dedicated Cleaner (Housekeeper) to contribute to a warm and safe environment in a children's residential home. This permanent, full-time role involves maintaining cleanliness, following health and safety standards, and supporting young residents. The position offers 26 days of holiday, development opportunities, and requires a proactive attitude. Strong communication and time management skills are essential, along with a commitment to creating a welcoming space for children aged 11–18.

Benefits

26 days' holiday, rising to 28 after 2 years

Option to buy additional leave

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Learning and development resources

Wellbeing discounts

Qualifications

• Friendly, reliable, and proactive attitude.
• Able to maintain high standards with good attention to detail.
• Confident communicating and building relationships with young people.
• Understanding of health and safety requirements, including COSHH.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness of communal areas using appropriate cleaning equipment.
• Ensure hygiene and safety standards are followed.
• Support with laundry and ensure bedding is available.
• Report maintenance issues to keep the home running smoothly.
• Contribute to a supportive environment for the young residents.

Skills

Attention to detail

Reliability

Communication skills

Time management

Proactivity

Job description

Cleaner Children's Residential (Housekeeper)

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're 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'll 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'll 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'll take pride in keeping our home clean, organised and running smoothly. You'll 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'll 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're 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'll need to be adaptable and resilient working in this environment.

To be considered for shortlisting for this position you will clearly evidence how youalign with ourbehaviours andhow 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'll treat our young people with dignity and respect - always remembering you are working in their home.

To apply, werequestthat yousubmitaCVand 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 & OurLife 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 [e-mail]

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're 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.