Caretaker
What is the work like?
Caretakers look after buildings such as schools, community centres and blocks of flats, making sure they are secure, clean and well-maintained.
Your work as a caretaker would vary depending on the particular job, but could include:
- supervising cleaning staff
- carrying out small repairs and reporting major problems
- making sure that heating, lighting and alarm systems are on when needed
- making sure that doors and windows are locked when the building is not in use
- checking the premises to guard against vandalism or break-ins
- opening up the building in the morning and locking it at the end of the day
- arranging chairs and tables for meetings and clearing away afterwards
- ordering fuel, new equipment and furniture
- taking bookings if rooms in the building are available for hire.
You could be employed as a mobile caretaker, responsible for several different sites.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Your skills and ability to do the job are likely to be more important than qualifications. Practical skills such as woodwork and DIY would be useful. It could also be an advantage if you have relevant work experience, perhaps as a porter, or in maintenance or security work.
You would need to have CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) clearance to work in schools.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you start work you will receive on-the-job training, usually under the supervision of an experienced colleague.
You may be able to complete NVQ Level 2 in Cleaning and Support Services (Caretaking).
You could also study by distance learning for the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Level 3 Certificate in Housing, which includes the following options:
- Caretaking and Concierge Services
- Supported Housing.
You can find details of these on the CIH website.
Where can I go for more information?
2 The Courtyard48 New North Road
Exeter
Devon
EX4 4EP
Helpline: 08000 567160
Westwood Business Park
Westwood Way
Coventry
CV4 8JP
Tel: 024 7685 1789
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Salaries start at around £12,000 a year.
- Senior caretakers may earn up to £20,000 or more a year.
A flat or house at free or subsidised rent is included with some jobs .
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work 37 hours a week, which may include early mornings, evenings and weekends. In some jobs you could have 24-hour on-call duties, or work split shifts, covering mornings and evenings with time off in the afternoon.
As a mobile caretaker, you would work from a specially equipped van.
Some of your work could be physically demanding, involving lifting, and sometimes climbing stairs or ladders.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- reliability and good timekeeping
- practical skills to carry out minor repairs
- the ability to manage your own workload
- the ability to supervise cleaning staff and manage contractors
- awareness of health, safety, security and hygiene issues.
What opportunities are there?
You could be employed as a caretaker by organisations such as local authorities, churches, housing associations and large companies.
In some places, like large schools and office blocks, you might work in a team with several other caretakers. With experience you could have the opportunity to become a supervisor. You could also move into cleaning management.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open new window):
LGjobs
Jobcentre Plus
thecaretakers.net.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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