Job Description

About Ufton

Ufton Court is an inspirational educational trust that provides transformative outdoor learning experiences for children and young people, including those from disadvantaged or trauma-affected backgrounds. Nestled in the Berkshire countryside, our site includes a historic manor house, a barn for weddings and events, educational facilities, and extensive grounds.

As part of our mission to create safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environments for learning and well-being, our facilities are central to providing exceptional experiences for all who visit. Ufton's Caretaker plays a crucial and hands-on role in ensuring our estate is well-maintained, secure and welcoming for all users.

Job Purpose / Summary

To act as the principal onsite custodian for the property, assisting with event turnover (including locking up after weddings or special events) and general facilities tasks. The caretaker is a key point of contact for contractors, staff, clients, and site users. Reporting to the Estate Manager, you will support them to ensure that Ufton Court's buildings, grounds, infrastructure and site assets are maintained, safe, clean, secure and fit for purpose.

The role includes both planned / routine maintenance and reactive / out-of-hours duties (particularly on event days).

Key Responsibilities & Duties

Below is a non-exhaustive list of duties. Some may be delegated or shared depending on staffing levels, but the caretaker should be capable of doing or overseeing them.

1. Security, Access, and Lock-Up / Lock-Down

Responsible for opening and securing all buildings, gates and perimeter fences each morning and closing / locking up at night (or after events) on designated days. For weekend events / weddings: oversee lock-up after the event, ensure all rooms are vacated, lights off, windows secured, alarms set, external doors locked. Monitor and respond to after-hours security / alarm callouts. Manage keys, fobs and access control, ensuring a log is kept of who has which keys / passes and when codes are changed. Liaise with external alarm / CCTV contractors. Inspection of doors, windows locks, and shuttering regularly to detect faults or improvements required.

2. Maintenance, Repairs & Upkeep

Carry out or coordinate minor repairs (e.g. carpentry, plumbing, electrical (within certification limits), painting, decorating). Regular inspection of building fabric (roofs, gutters, drainage, masonry, windows, cladding) and prompt reporting / arranging of major remedials. Ensure compliance / inspections for fire alarms, emergency lighting, intrusion alarms, smoke detectors, extinguishers, etc. Oversee and liaise with external contractors (plumbing, electrical, landscapers, waste contractors, cleaning, etc.) -- scheduling, supervising, accepting works, verifying quality when out of hours. Maintain and manage stores of maintenance materials, spares, tools and consumables, including ordering replacements. Monitor condition of flooring, furniture, fixtures and fittings; assist with refurbishments or upgrades. Assist with works between terms / events (e.g. deep cleaning, repainting).

3. Grounds, Landscape, & External Works

Routine grounds maintenance: mowing, grass cutting, hedge trimming, pruning, clearing leaves, paths and drives clearing, snow / ice clearance, gritting, etc. Oversee external surfaces: paving, walkways, car parks, drainage, fences, walls, gates. Ensure safe drainage and manage flood / storm water risk. Manage waste disposal, bin emptying, recycling, litter picking. Maintain signage, lighting, external features (furniture, benches, gates, lighting columns)

4. Event / Venue Support & Setup

Assist teams in setting up and taking down furniture, lighting, sound, etc., for events, weddings, meetings etc. Ensure rooms, barn, halls, function spaces, toilets etc are clean, operational, and fit for user needs before and after events on weekends. Liaise with event clients / staff to understand technical, access and facility requirements and ensure readiness. Occasionally supervise or coordinate cleaning or refresh staff during even

5. Health & Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

Conduct regular safety inspections (fire, electrical, mechanical, structural) and maintain logs / registers (fire drills, evacuation, asbestos, legionella, etc.). Report and follow up on hazards, ensure remedial works, manage maintenance backlog. Ensure all statutory compliance (health & safety, building regs, gas safety, electrical safety, PAT testing) is met (or contractually managed).

6. Monitoring, Reporting & Planning

Maintain a maintenance schedule / plan / asset register, forecasting long-term replacement / refurbishment projects. Provide reports to Estate Manager and SLT on site condition, defects, projects, and capital needs. Maintain logs of repairs, issues, incidents, breakdowns, etc. Participate in periodic project planning, refurbishments, upgrades etc.

7. Administrative & Liaison Tasks

Record keeping: contractor invoices, maintenance records, warranties, service contracts. Liaise with external bodies (inspectors, utilities, local authority, insurers) as needed. Respond to user or staff maintenance reports / requests on site. Participate in emergency call-outs (within agreed limits). Occasional cover for other premises staff duties (e.g. cleaning oversight, porterage)

Person Specification / Desired Skills & ExperienceEssential:

Proven experience in a similar caretaker / site / facilities / maintenance role (ideally in an educational, venue, or institutional setting). Broad practical skills: carpentry, plumbing, decorating, general DIY. Good working knowledge of heating, plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems (or ability to learn). Knowledge of health & safety legislation, fire safety, risk assessment, safe working practices. Ability to read drawings, utility plans, diagrams. Ability to plan, prioritise and manage workload, sometimes under pressure. Good communication and interpersonal skills (to liaise with staff, clients, contractors). Reliable, trustworthy, proactive, able to work independently and with discretion. Flexible and responsive approach (especially around events / weekends). Clean driving licence and willingness to drive site vehicles, pick up parts, etc.

Desirable:

Formal trade qualification (plumbing, electrical, carpentry, HVAC). Certification / training in first aid, fire safety, PAT testing. Experience in event support / venues. Knowledge of grounds maintenance equipment (ride-on mowers, tractors, etc. Experience with contract / vendor management. IT competence (maintenance tracking software, spreadsheets, email).

Working Pattern & Conditions

Full-time (e.g. 37-40 hours per week including weekends) Two guaranteed rest days per week (to be scheduled consistently). Some requirement for out-of-hours availability (especially for weddings / events). On event weekends, the caretaker will be engaged for lock-up / venue support duties, but these should not impinge on the two rest days guarantee. Occasional emergency call-outs (e.g. alarm activation, heating failure). The role is residential and you will be provided with a private one bedroom ground floor flat with garden in Paddock House

.

Use of employer tools and equipment; personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.

Personal Attributes

Alignment with Ufton Court's values. A collaborative and team-oriented approach with strong interpersonal skills. A hands-on attitude with the ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities. A commitment to continuous professional development and learning.

Additional Information

This role requires a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check due to working in close proximity to children and young people. Access to your own transport is essential, as Ufton Court is in a rural location.
To apply, please submit your

CV and a cover letter

outlining your suitability for the role and how you align with Ufton's values to recruitment@ufton.org.uk.

We will only consider applications that provide a covering letter.

Closing date:

12 noon 3rd November 2025

We are keen to have someone in place soon so are interviewing candidates on a rolling basis, so do apply early.

Ufton is a non-smoking site.

Ufton is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates, especially those from underrepresented communities. All offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory completed enhanced DBS (The Disclosure and Baring Service) check and at least three references.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 25,000.00-30,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Discounted or free food Health & wellbeing programme
Work Location: In person