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Housekeeper

Wick Court, Arlingham, Gloucestershire

A new opportunity has arisen for a Housekeeper to join our worthwhile charity, which exists to
remove the barriers that prevent children and young people having meaningful access to the natural
world. Through a week on one of our three heritage farms, Nethercott House in Devon, Lower
Treginnis in Pembrokeshire and Wick Court in Gloucestershire, children and young people
experience increased learning and engagement, improved connections and wellbeing and leave us
with enhanced environmental citizenship. Visiting children are immersed in the natural world of
countryside through a food and farming offer that allows them to participate in the seasonal tasks of
the day: sowing, growing and harvesting in our kitchen gardens; caring for livestock and looking after
the land; and cooking up a home-grown feast in the farmhouse kitchen. Spending time working
alongside real farmers fosters children’s independence and helps them to grow in confidence,
develops their self-esteem, and encourages them to become more resilient. In partnership with our
commercial farming neighbours, children experience the benefits of collaboration, enjoy plenty of
physical activity, good food, and fresh air, and discover the magical rural environment that is full of
new words, sounds and experiences to inspire their creativity.

About the Role

The Housekeeper is central to the efficient running of our 16 th Century Manor House
accommodation for groups of up to 36 children and their accompanying adults at Wick Court.
Central to this closeknit team, the Housekeeper will work with the groups to ensure that the needs
of resident groups are met and that the highest standards of health and safety, hygiene and
cleanliness are maintained. This role will have regular and direct contact with our visiting children
and adults with a key role in welcoming them upon arrival, supporting their induction into the house
and maintaining a warm and friendly relationship throughout their stay. As part of the wider
operations team, the Housekeeper has the opportunity to support education activities in the house
and on the farm, a smallholding raising pigs, poultry and sheep, with equine too. The successful post-
holder will have experience cleaning properties and managing laundry.

Main Responsibilities

• Create a warm, child-centred environment in which visiting children feel comfortable in
their accommodation
• Ensure that the house is kept clean and tidy, the laundry is well managed and
handwashing facilities are kept clean and well stocked
• Ensure the house is ready for visiting groups, visitors and rentals
• Ensure cleaning equipment is in good condition, are stored safely and COSHH
information kept up to date, with suitable materials available for staff and children
• Working closely with the Farm School Manager will support maintenance and good
health and safety processes in the house, effectively managing heating in the building
• To actively seek feedback from groups in residence to ensure that we are able to
respond positively to any needs
• Tend to the formal gardens around the house, developing areas of interest and ensure
the grounds are safe
• To ensure waste is safely disposed of and recycled
• To support the kitchen team at busy times, especially around setting up, serving,
clearing and cleaning in the dining room

• To support farm school operations where additional support is needed, for example,
animal care, educational sessions, supervising children
• To support the office manager in room set up, meeting guests, working collaboratively
across the charity

This position is a farm-based role, based at Wick Court, Gloucestershire, which will require only very
occasional travel within the Charity’s regions in order to attend training or meetings.

Appointments will not be confirmed until the Charity has received two satisfactory professional
references, evidence of the existing proof of right to work in the UK. Referees will not be contacted
without candidates’ prior consent.

Farms for City Children is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and
young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates will be subject to a Social Media check and a DBS check at the appropriate
level. Employment with the charity is conditional upon the charity being satisfied with the result of
the DBS Check. Successful candidates will be asked to complete a self-declaration related to their
criminal record or any information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. If you
have lived or worked outside of the UK, additional information may be required from you to satisfy
safer recruitment checks.  Any criminal records information that is disclosed to the charity will be
handled in accordance with any guidance and/or code of practice published by the DBS.

Farms for City Children is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity and supports
and encourages under-represented groups. We seek people from a wide range of backgrounds, with
diverse lived experience, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

What we Offer

In return you will receive a starting salary of between £19,285 and a range of benefits, which
include:

• 25 days holiday plus 8 statutory bank holidays (pro rata)
• 6% employer contribution to NEST pension scheme
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme

Job Description – Housekeeper

Job Title: Housekeeper
Location: Wick Court
Reporting to: Office Manager
Contract type: 30 hours a week (0.86 FTE), permanent
Salary: £19,285 per annum.
Benefits: 33 days holiday per annum inclusive of bank holidays (pro rata), contributory pension of 6%, employee assistance scheme with Health Assured.

Summary
The Housekeeper is central to the efficient running of our 16th Century Manor House accommodation for groups of up to 36 children and their accompanying adults at Wick Court. Central to this closeknit team, the Housekeeper will work with the groups to ensure that the needs of resident groups are met and that the highest standards of health and safety, hygiene and cleanliness are maintained. This role will have regular and direct contact with our visiting children and adults with a key role in welcoming them upon arrival, supporting their induction into the house and maintaining a warm and friendly relationship throughout their stay. As part of the wider operations team, the Housekeeper has the opportunity to support education activities in the house and on the farm, a smallholding raising pigs, poultry and sheep, with equine too. The successful post-holder will have experience cleaning properties and managing laundry.

Main responsibilities

• Create a warm, child-centred environment in which visiting children feel comfortable in their
accommodation
• Ensure that the house is kept clean and tidy, the laundry is well managed and handwashing
facilities are kept clean and well stocked
• Ensure the house is ready for visiting groups, visitors and rentals
• Ensure cleaning equipment is in good condition, are stored safely and COSHH information kept up
to date, with suitable materials available for staff and children
• Working closely with the Farm School Manager will support maintenance and good health and
safety processes in the house, effectively managing heating in the building
• To actively seek feedback from groups in residence to ensure that we are able to respond positively
to any needs
• Tend to the formal gardens around the house, developing areas of interest and ensure the grounds
are safe
• To ensure waste is safely disposed of and recycled
• To support the kitchen team at busy times, especially around setting up, serving, clearing and
cleaning in the dining room
• To support farm school operations where additional support is needed, for example, animal care,
educational sessions, supervising children
• To support the office manager in room set up, meeting guests, working collaboratively across the
charity

Strategy, Ethos, and Values

• Champion quality and excellence, seeking-out and sharing constructive feedback from beneficiaries
to support the continual evolution of the operations at Wick Court
• Model the values and ethos of the Charity and ensure these are upheld at all times
Continuous professional development
• Maintain a commitment to continuous professional development including undertaking
professional and technical training as required by the Charity
• Keep abreast of best practice by developing links with Housekeepers on our other sites as well as
external reference points

General

• Attend and contribute to Health and Safety and team meetings, proactively contributing ideas and
suggestions in advance, and preparing reports as required
• Any other work as directed by the Farm School Manager, appropriate to the role

Person Specification – Housekeeper

Training, Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant experience of housekeeping
• Experience working with people in a customer facing role

Desirable

• Experience of complying with health and safety requirements in a workplace environment
• Grade C GSCE or equivalent in Maths & English
• Experience of working in an environment where children are present and undertaking training in
safeguarding
• Certificated training in health and safety or food hygiene
• Experience of gardening

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• An engaging communicator with the ability to connect with people of all ages
• A friendly and supportive colleague who fosters constructive and collaborative relationships across
the Charity and seeks opportunities to share knowledge and learn from others
• Self-driven, with the ability to plan, prioritise and manage time effectively
• Calm under pressure
• Interest in environmentally sensitive housekeeping strategies

Desirable

• Demonstrable commitment to continuous professional development
• An interest in factors impacting environment, outdoor learning or rural life

Additional Information

Safeguarding - This post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.

Hours of work - 30 hours per week (0.86 FTE). This may include some weekend and evening working.

Probationary period - The appointment will be subject to a probationary period of 1 month.

Proof of right to work - All appointments are conditional on the appointee providing existing proof of right to work according to current Home Office rules.

References - All appointments are conditional upon receipt of two satisfactory references. Farms for City Children will give prior notification of the intention to contact referees.

Please click on Apply Now to see the Job Description and Person Specification for full details about the role and apply online.

We are unable to accept just cover letters and CVs.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE – DIRECT RECRUITMENT ONLY

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Monday 1st April 2024 Interviews to be held on Wednesday 10th April 2024

Salary: £19,285 pa

Hours Per Week: Contract 30 hours a week, permanent

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