Most maintenance jobs leave you feeling like a cog in a machine, stuck between faceless head office demands and sites that don't really care about the quality of your work. This is different. You'll be the person who keeps a network of children's homes and schools running smoothly, working independently with real autonomy, proper support from a facilities team that values what you do, and the satisfaction of knowing your work directly impacts the lives of young people who need stability
Imagine driving to your first site each morning in a company van (fuel card included, tools provided), knowing you're managing your own workload and deciding how to tackle the day's priorities. You'll handle everything from hanging doors and fitting frames to minor plumbing repairs and emergency callouts - the jobs that matter. When something breaks at a children's home, you're the one who fixes it fast, and the Home Managers trust you enough to plan bigger tasks together
You're not just patching walls and replacing taps. You're maintaining the spaces where young people with complex needs find safety and belonging. The gardening you do, the painting, the carpentry, the emergency boarding-up when it's needed at 3pm - it all adds up to creating an environment where healing can happen. And you do it all within an hour's drive from home, working 40 hours across sensible hours (8:30am-5:30pm), so you actually have a life outside work
The team behind you matters. You'll be supported by a Facilities Manager and Head of Facilities who get it, not people three levels above you who've never seen your work. You'll attend training when it's needed, you'll keep your tools and your van in shape, and you'll know exactly what you're doing because the role is clear, the support is real, and the company van and fuel card mean you're not out of pocket before payday
What you will be doing
- Keep the exterior of homes and schools maintained to a high standard: gardening, painting, basic repairs, general tidiness
- Carry out internal decorating and general repairs with precision, managing your own time and priorities across multiple sites
- Handle carpentry tasks including door hanging, frame fitting, shelving, boarding up windows, and minor furniture repairs
- Complete minor plumbing repairs: replacing taps, fixing small leaks, fitting thermostatic radiator valves
- Respond to emergency maintenance calls (boarding windows, replacing locks, urgent repairs) and assist operational staff with moving furniture when needed
- Supervise external contractors on site, maintain the company van to Fleet policy standards, keep timesheets and material logs up to date, and manage your allocated monthly spend
Why you will love working here
- Salary of £27,976 per year, depending on your experience
- Company van, fuel card, phone, and all tools provided - you're not funding this role yourself
- 40 hours per week, 8:30am-5:30pm, with genuine work-life balance and no unsociable shifts
- Work independently with real autonomy, supported by a facilities team and managers who value your craft
- If you're a current or former service person and meet the role criteria, we guarantee an interview as part of our Armed Forces Covenant commitment
Is this you?
- You hold a full UK driving licence and are comfortable travelling between sites (all within an hour of your home)
- You've got at least one year of solid experience in joinery, carpentry, and general maintenance - you know how to hang a door properly and can handle basic plumbing without calling someone else
- You understand PPE, asbestos regulations, and health and safety requirements (knowledge that strengthens your application)
- You're someone who can work independently, prioritise your own workload, and still communicate well with managers and staff on site
- You're willing to learn, happy to attend training courses and meetings, and can keep accurate records of your work and materials used
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.