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What people do in their work

This section outlines the kind of responsibilities someone within this role category is likely to undertake as part of their role.

This role category focuses on people working in maintenance roles within adult social care, ensuring that the setting is safe and operating effectively for people who draw on care and support. This may involve:

• completing general maintenance tasks like painting, repairing fixtures, fittings and furniture and/or other emergency maintenance requested by staff or people who draw on care and support
• completing routine checks and maintenance to ensure that the setting meets appropriate health and safety legislation, like fire prevention and safety legislation
• helping maintain the grounds of the setting, ensuring that it is safe and free of hazards for people who draw on care and support
• maintaining heating, electrical and water systems in the setting
• maintaining security systems and access to the internet

This role category could be across a variety of settings. You might work:

• in a residential setting
• through supported independent living
• in a day service

While you will not provide support with direct care tasks like personal care, your work in maintenance will still play an integral role in enhancing the health, wellbeing and overall experience of individuals who draw on care and support.

It will also provide opportunities to develop knowledge and skills within direct care, with the potential for career progression into care if that is what you want to do.

Examples of the type of role performed

Some role titles for individuals working in domestic services might include:

• maintenance person
• handyperson
• maintenance assistant
• maintenance and compliance officer
• maintenance lead
• property caretaker

Values

Values are the foundation underpinning the behaviours that people in this role category must show.

The values are:

• kind, compassionate and empathetic
• honest, trustworthy and reliable
• respect
• courageous and principled
• see the whole person
• flexible, open and learning
• proud and positive

You can read more about the values in the ‘overview’ document on the care workforce pathway landing page - see the section on ‘Universal sector values’.

The behaviours people must show (must do)

Behaviours are the way that values are demonstrated in practice.

This section outlines the behaviours required to work within this role category. These are the things people must be doing in their job.

You must:

• act in an ethical and professional manner in the workplace
• build and maintain positive relationships with colleagues and adults in a care setting
• take an organised and methodical approach to complete tasks in a timely manner
• take personal responsibility for developing knowledge and skills and continually seek to improve your performance
• seek to develop personal resilience and maintain wellbeing
• use and promote sustainable practices and challenge unsustainable practices
• treat everyone with dignity, sensitivity and respect, acting with integrity while interacting with others
• actively listen to individuals, families and colleagues to understand their needs
• take pride in your role in adult social care, celebrating achievements and successes
• demonstrate an energy and enthusiasm for your work, ensuring the focus is always on providing the best outcomes for people who draw on care and support
• demonstrate a commitment to maintaining confidentiality

Knowledge and skills people should have

Knowledge is the understanding someone needs to carry out the responsibilities of the role.

Skills are the ability to apply that knowledge in practice.

This section outlines the knowledge and skills someone working in this role category should know and the things they should be able to do in their job.

Diversity of practice: setting-specific training

As part of this role category, you may also be asked to complete setting-specific training, such as completing dementia training when working in a dementia care setting. This will give you a wider understanding of how you can best ensure the setting you work in is safe, secure and well maintained for the people in your setting who draw on care and support.

We expect organisations to define their own setting-specific training based on the needs of the people drawing on care and support.

Digital skills

As part of learner knowledge and skill development, you can also work to level 1 (digital skills for all) of the .

Knowledge and skills breakdown for this role category

Detailed below are the knowledge and skills expected of someone working in maintenance services in adult social care. These competencies reflect what is specific to the adult social care environment and do not represent the full range of knowledge and skills maintenance staff may need.

Understanding the care environment

You should:

• understand how the care in your setting operates
• be aware of relevant legislation and how it might impact the setting you work in and how you need to work (for example, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, safeguarding adults)
• understand the limits of your role and when, in emergencies or otherwise, you need to contact other staff for support

Awareness of common conditions among people who draw on care (specific to your setting)

You should:

• be aware of common conditions that individuals might have within adult social care and how you can support them in the context of your role. This might include:
  • adults with learning disabilities
  • autistic adults
  • adults living with mental health or dementia
  • adults living with physical disabilities
  • diabetes, allergies and other medical dietary requirements
• understand how to maintain individuals’ dignity and rights while maintenance work is being carried out

Understanding equipment maintenance in your setting

You should:

• understand what equipment is used in your care setting to support individuals’ care needs
• understand who provides and is responsible for the maintenance of the care equipment used in your setting
• be able to inspect and maintain the equipment that is your responsibility within your care setting, ensuring that it is safe for use when maintenance has been completed
• understand that individuals’ safety is paramount and that all equipment should be maintained in way that protects their safety
• understand the limits of your knowledge and when you may need to contact external support for the maintenance of equipment in your setting
• be able to support communication with external agencies or providers who may be responsible for the inspection and maintenance of equipment in your setting
• be able to ensure that external providers also maintain individuals’ dignity and rights while equipment maintenance work is being carried out
• ensure that equipment is inspected and maintained within your setting

Understanding maintenance in your setting

You should:

• understand what maintenance needs to be undertaken in your setting
• understand what inspections your setting might need, and their frequency, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of individuals (for example, gas safety checks, hot water and boiler checks)
• be able to undertake maintenance of the setting. This may include:
  • fixing plumbing and electrical issues
  • fitting and repair of fixtures, fittings and furniture
  • other minor carpentry works
  • painting and other decorating
  • maintaining the grounds of the setting
• be able to ensure that heating is checked regularly and seasonally adjusted, set to a temperature that is safe and comfortable for people who draw on care and support
• be able to help ensure that utilities in your setting are consistent and safe to use. This might include:
  • ensuring that internet access is working and consistent in your setting
  • ensuring that water temperature is safe for individuals to use
  • ensuring that electricity is consistent and that it is safe to use (for example, making sure wiring is not damaged or exposed)
• be able to recognise emergencies, like boiler breakdowns, and how these emergencies might cause more harm in an adult social care environment
• be able to mitigate and manage these risks, ensuring that individuals’ safety is paramount
• where your service uses vehicles, ensure they are kept safe and well maintained for use, including ensuring they meet safety standards for transporting people who draw on care and support
• understand when these vehicles need to be serviced and inspected (MOT or otherwise) and ensure these inspections and servicing are undertaken within the appropriate timeframes
• understand the need for portable appliance testing (PAT) of wired equipment in adult social care settings
• be able to ensure that all wired equipment is PAT tested in your setting, including equipment that is brought in externally by individuals, their families or by external contractors or providers

Health and safety

You should:

• understand and ensure the implementation of health and safety policy and emergency and fire procedures
• ensure that all equipment and tools are stored safely so they are not a hazard
• ensure that control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) regulations are adhered to in your work
• be able to monitor that all entrances and fire exits are kept free of obstructions
• ensure all incidents and accidents are recorded and reported according to your organisation’s policy
• be able to implement any risk management actions as instructed
• be able to support with risk assessments relating to health and safety in your setting
• be able to recognise hazards and help mitigate or eliminate these in your setting
• ensure waste is managed and disposed of safely, particularly recognising the hazardous waste generated in care settings
• ensure that fire safety checks are undertaken and appropriately recorded in your setting
• ensure that any security systems are inspected and maintained in your setting
• where relevant, ensure that the setting is inspected for asbestos and that there is an up-to-date asbestos survey and management plan
• be able to regularly check the setting for any hazards that might cause trips or falls, and work to ensure these hazards are eliminated

Engaging with IT systems

You should:

• be able to record maintenance in IT systems as directed by your organisation
• be able to keep up-to-date and accurate records of maintenance work in your setting
• be able to keep records of service contracts and inspection reports and timings
• be able to support inspection processes as directed by the management in your setting
• understand the budget available to you for maintenance
• be able to track maintenance budgets through systems agreed with your employer
• understand when works may exceed the budget provided to you and the method by which you can request additional funds for maintenance, to keep your setting safe, secure and well maintained for individuals

Understanding person-centred care

You should:

• understand what is meant by the term ‘person-centred care’
• understand how you can support the provision of person-centred care in your setting
• be able to positively engage with people who draw on care and support, supporting them to have a positive experience with adult social care

Support individuals’ health and wellbeing

You should be able to support the health and wellbeing of people who draw on care and support.

Additional knowledge and skills

In addition to the above knowledge and skills, maintenance staff should also have the following competencies that align with the knowledge and skills detailed in the ‘New to care’ role category (as required):

• using and managing data, and data security
• reduce the likelihood of abuse
• demonstrating effective interpersonal skills
• managing your time
• introduction to health, safety​ and wellbeing
• fire safety (health and safety)
• understanding and demonstrating good infection prevention and control measures

Oliver’s Training

Complete Oliver’s Training on Learning Disability and Autism: Tier 1. Tier 2 can be undertaken in settings providing direct care to individuals with autism or a learning disability.