About this role
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join a busy, supportive, and dynamic multidisciplinary inpatient service. The post-holder will work as an integral member of the ward team, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of all client facility services--including cleaning, catering, maintenance, and laundry--to maintain a clean, safe, and comfortable environment tailored to individual client needs.
They will collaborate closely with contractors, Estates and Facilities teams, Domestic and Catering Departments, and other internal stakeholders, monitoring quality standards, addressing deficiencies, and ensuring timely completion of work. Daily communication will take place with ward staff through MDT handovers, including shift staff, ward managers, domestic staff, and administrative teams, as well as regular liaison with Trust links, OCS monitoring teams, and senior managers.
The role also involves acting as the key contact for contractors entering the ward and maintaining positive engagement with clients, relatives, carers, and suppliers. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, as the post-holder will communicate and engage effectively with young people on the unit, demonstrate an approachable manner, and actively participate in feedback processes through weekly meetings.
Main duties of the job
At South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, we are committed to delivering excellent care with pride and compassion. Our goal is to improve the lives of the people and communities we serve and promote mental health and wellbeing for all.The post-holder will be a vital member of the ward team, responsible for coordinating all client facility services within the ward area to ensure a clean, safe, and comfortable environment. Key responsibilities include overseeing cleaning, catering, maintenance, and laundry services, as well as other tasks tailored to meet individual client needs as directed by the inpatient service manager, ward manager, or shift coordinator.The role requires effective communication and engagement with young people on the unit. The post-holder should be approachable, receptive to feedback, and attend weekly meetings with the young people. Collaboration with contractors, estates and facilities teams, and catering/domestic providers is essential to monitor quality standards, report deficiencies, and ensure timely completion of requested work.
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.
The Trust employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, it provides inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.
By coming to work at our Trust, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history & international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities & have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field. In addition, our working relationship with King's Health Partners allows those working at the Trust to get involved in academic research.
Job description Job responsibilities
1) Clinical: (a) To work under direct supervision of senior staff. (b) To always preserve the dignity and self-respect of clients. (c) To ensure user confidentiality. (d) To respect the customs and spiritual beliefs of the client. (e) To observe, report any changes in the client's physical/mental health and behaviour. (f) To attend staff and peer meetings as requested. (g) To participate in the therapeutic and recreational groups. (h) Audit all medical devices and liaise with medical suppliers. purchasing medical devices and arranging the commissioning and decommissioning of all medical devices. (i) ordering phlebotomy stock and all clinical stock and monitoring shortfalls
2) Infection Control: (a) monitor infection control issues and raise awareness and action outcomes from audits. (b) Teaching staff about infection control awareness. (c) Report any instances of pest control or contamination to the relevant supervisor in a timely manner. (d) Flushing and recording on L8Guard
3) Domestic: (a) In conjunction with the ward team, ensure that the cleaning standards meet with the agreed levels and that any shortfalls are dealt with quickly. (b) To ensure that following the patient discharge, the bedroom is cleaned and equipped in preparation for the next admission. (c) requesting cleaning of floor and ad hoc cleaning request
4) Linen: (a) Complete the weekly linen audit and orderlinen requirements for the ward, ensuring that the ward always has adequate linen stock.
5) Catering: (a) Responsible for all meal ordering, including dieting/allergy & cultural requirements. (b) Ordering of food supplies ensuring delivery. Ensure that supplies are correctly stored and used in rotation. (c) To be responsible for fridge temperatures and ensuring that outdated or incorrectly wrapped and labelled food is removed for disposal. (d) To report any shortfalls in catering supplies. (d) To be proactive in setting standards and procedures for mealtimes. (e) To meet the needs of the service and to ensure the young people feel comfortable and confident in the environment.
6) Environment: (a) To liaise with estates and facilities to ensure that all medical equipment is in working order. (b) Record all electrical equipment brought onto the ward and ensure it is PAT tested before use. (c) To monitor the general environment, organise and co-ordinate any necessary repairs with the Estates Department and keep records of defects and remedial action taken. (d) reporting IT issues(e)Purchasing and ensuring ward furniture is adequate and meets trust standards (f) ensuring all alarms and personal alarms are working efficiently.
7) Health & Safety (a) Responsible for health & safety audits and recording on AssessNet and following up on outcomes and ensuring that the ward meets trust standards. (b) conduct monthly ligature audits with senior staff (c) responsible for fire warden audits on AssessNet and following up outcomes (e) Monitoring all keys and swipes on the ward. (f) Annual audit for fire risk assessments and follow-ups. (g) Annual ligature audits and follow-ups(h) arranging fire drills as per Trust compliance. (h) Assist in the induction of new staff.
8) General Ward Ordering: (a) To order and arrange the storage of ward stationery, ensuring appropriate levels of stock are maintained. (b) Also to order adequate levels of dry stock goods and liaise with the catering department as necessary.
9) Other: (a) Undertake any additional duties deemed appropriate to grade. (b) Participate in maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment.
10) General: (a) The post-holder is required to comply with legal and professional responsibilities of the post and with the policies and procedures of the trust, which will be referred to in the contract of employment.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Ability and willingness to attend training courses, as directed
Desirable
GCSE qualification level: C or higher in English and Maths.
Experience Essential
Experience of working with people suffering from a mental illness, Experience of basic administrative and clerical work
Desirable
Experience of care work in the NHS Experience of housekeeping duties
Knowledge Essential
Good written and verbal skills
Desirable
Knowledge of food and hygiene standards.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address Bethlem Royal Hospital
Beckenham
BR3 3BX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)