Housekeeper x 2

Today, 12 children and young people in the UK hear the shocking news they have cancer.  Young Lives vs Cancer is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people.  Young Lives vs Cancer fights tirelessly to stop cancer from destroying young lives. We provide social care, grants and free accommodation close to hospitals to help with spiralling costs.

Please note, for this role, we will be carrying out interviews throughout the advertising period due to needing to move quickly. This is due to us finding that Housekeeper candidates will accept work elsewhere if the application process is overly long. Therefore, the role may close earlier than the advertised closing date above, so we advise applying as soon as you can.

Change lives in a life-changing career 

About the role

We provide practical and emotional support to mitigate the impact of a cancer diagnosis and support during their cancer journey via expert needs led interventions. Our Accommodation Service is a key member of the Services and Impact Directorate, you will play a crucial role in providing a high quality and efficient service to children, young people and families diagnosed with cancer.

Our organisation is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. This role is subject to an Enhanced criminal record check. If successful in application, this role requires an enhanced criminal record check to be completed ahead of starting in the role, together with comprehensive reference checks. A person cannot commence in post without these safeguards. Applicants should be aware these may take time that is out of our organisation’s control, which forms part of our rigorous commitment to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.   

What will I be doing?

We are recruiting a Housekeeper for our Accommodation Service based in Belfast. As a key member of the Accommodation Services Team, Housekeepers play a crucial role in helping to ensure the Accommodation site/s is/are clean, safe and a welcoming hub for children and young people with cancer and their families. 

We would love to hear from you if you have: -

• Previous experience of domestic or commercial cleaning and hygiene requirements;
• Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements in relation to the use and storage of cleaning materials and reporting faults and damages
• Experienced in knowing when to communicate with your line manager, i.e. when something does not feel right or if something doesn’t go to plan.

What do I need? 

Diverse perspectives and unique skill-sets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.

• A firm grasp of general and enhanced cleaning methods and techniques;
• Proficient use of different types of cleaning equipment;
• Willingness to maintain confidentiality;
• Highly organised with attention to detail;
• Ability to deal promptly and courteously with colleagues and service users;
• Good interpersonal skills, including customer care;
• Sensitive to the needs of service users including when families do not wish to interact;
• Be able to work on your own initiative and as part of a team;
• Capable of meeting the physical demands of the job;
• Positive and professional attitude;
• Willing to be flexible with work duties, arrangements and hours;
• Occasionally working unsociable and additional hours as necessary;

What will I gain?

For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Wellbeing days: four days a year to do what works for you – from catching up on training to going for a walk
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website: https://www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/careers/our-benefits/ 

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.  Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.

To arrange an informal chat, please contact Geraldine Burns on 07795296374 or geraldine.burns@younglivesvscancer.org.uk