Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for DBS Cleaner

🎯 Role Definition

A DBS Cleaner is a frontline facilities professional cleared by an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to work in regulated, vulnerable, or secure environments such as schools, hospitals, care homes and other sites where contact with children, patients or vulnerable adults occurs. The role combines routine and deep cleaning, infection prevention, controlled waste handling, and meticulous record-keeping to ensure safe, hygienic environments. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong attention to detail, adherence to COSHH and PPE protocols, reliable shift attendance, and the ability to follow written cleaning schedules and site-specific procedures.

This role is optimized for sites requiring enhanced security and safeguarding checks, with a focus on infection control, clinical/medical cleaning practices when applicable, and excellent communication with facility managers and site teams.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Domestic Cleaner / Janitor in non-regulated environments
Retail or hospitality cleaning roles with reliable references
Support Worker or Care Assistant transitioning from basic cleaning responsibilities

Advancement To:

Senior Cleaner / Cleaning Team Lead
Facilities Coordinator or Facilities Operative
Infection Control Technician or Clinical Cleaning Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Night Shift Cleaner for larger estate/facility
Specialist Floor / Carpet Care Technician
Environmental Services Assistant in healthcare settings

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform daily and periodic cleaning duties across assigned areas (classrooms, patient rooms, corridors, offices, toilets, kitchens and communal spaces) to agreed standards using approved cleaning agents, equipment and techniques, ensuring surfaces are disinfected and safe for occupant use.
Execute deep-clean and periodic sanitation schedules (including high-touch point disinfection, window cleaning, and high-level dusting) to meet infection prevention protocols and site-specific cleaning matrices.
Handle, segregate and dispose of clinical and hazardous waste in line with local policy, Waste Regulations, and COSHH requirements, maintaining accurate waste disposal logs and ensuring secure storage prior to collection.
Follow and apply COSHH data sheets and manufacturer guidance for all cleaning chemicals, ensuring dilution, usage and storage are correct to protect staff, occupants and site infrastructure.
Maintain and operate mechanical cleaning equipment (floor scrubbers, buffing machines, vacuums, steam cleaners) safely and conduct routine checks and minor maintenance to ensure reliable operation.
Adhere to strict PPE and hand hygiene protocols at all times, donning appropriate PPE for tasks and environments and escalating any PPE shortages to line management immediately.
Document cleaning activities, incident reports, and maintenance requests using provided logbooks, electronic checklists or CAFM systems to maintain accurate site records and support audits.
Conduct pre- and post-shift inspections of assigned areas, reporting hazards (spillages, trip hazards, damaged fixtures) and taking immediate remedial steps where safe to do so.
Support outbreak or deep-clean responses rapidly and effectively, following incident-specific procedures for escalated cleaning during infectious disease events or contamination incidents.
Work flexibly across shifts, including early mornings, evenings, weekends or bank holidays as rostered to ensure continuous coverage and rapid response to ad-hoc cleaning requirements.
Maintain confidentiality and safeguarding standards when working in environments with children, vulnerable adults or patients; report safeguarding concerns promptly via the correct internal channels.
Assist with the safe handling and storage of linen, ensuring appropriate segregation between clean and soiled items and adherence to site-specific linen procedures.
Liaise with site managers, nursing or teaching staff to prioritize cleaning tasks during busy periods and minimize disruption while ensuring hygiene and safety standards are maintained.
Undertake routine checks and inventory management of cleaning supplies and PPE, raising purchase requests or stock alerts to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
Apply COSHH and risk-assessment outcomes to adjust cleaning frequency and methodology for specialist areas (isolation rooms, medical suites, sensory rooms), ensuring compliance with clinical safety requirements where applicable.
Participate in induction and ongoing competency assessments, demonstrating knowledge of infection control principles, manual handling techniques and safe chemical handling.
Support onboarding of temporary or agency cleaners by demonstrating site-specific procedures, cleaning schedules and safety expectations to ensure consistent standards.
Respond to ad-hoc requests for spill clearance, bodily fluid incidents or urgent sanitation in a calm, professional manner, using the correct disinfectants and PPE to contain risk.
Maintain and report on floor care operations including stripping, sealing and polishing routines, floor repairs or specialist cleaning cycles to prolong asset life and maintain safety.
Ensure keys, access passes and security protocols are respected and logged when entering restricted areas, reporting any security incidents or lost keys promptly to management.
Engage in basic grounds or external cleaning duties such as litter picking, pathway clearing and seasonal external maintenance where part of the site-specific remit and safety allows.
Proactively identify opportunities for improvement in cleaning workflows, equipment utilisation and product choice, feeding suggestions into team meetings to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
Provide cover and support for colleagues during breaks, absences or high-demand periods to maintain continuity of service.
Attend site briefings, team meetings and training sessions to stay up to date with policy changes, safeguarding guidance and infection-control best practices.
Assist with basic security checks (door closures, alarm activation) as part of end-of-shift duties where authorised and trained.
Help with routine stock rotation to reduce waste, report expired products and support sustainable cleaning product usage.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Enhanced DBS clearance / willingness to undergo enhanced DBS check prior to employment.
Strong knowledge of COSHH regulations, chemical safe handling, dilution calculations and use of SDS (safety data sheets).
Practical experience with mechanical cleaning equipment (industrial vacuums, scrubbers, polishers) and basic preventative maintenance.
Clinical/medical cleaning experience or familiarity with infection prevention control (IPC) procedures, including managing body fluid incidents and isolation room turnover.
Waste handling and disposal skills including segregation of clinical, hazardous, recyclable and general waste streams.
Ability to follow written cleaning schedules, checklists and electronic logging tools (CAFM, mobile apps or paper-based systems).
Basic manual handling competency and safe lifting techniques; training in manual handling and/or moving and handling of residents/patients where relevant.
Knowledge of floor care chemistry and methods (stripping, sealing, burnishing) and carpet cleaning techniques.
Competence in PPE selection and correct use (masks, gloves, aprons, eye protection) and fit-check basics for relevant respirators.
Basic record keeping and incident reporting skills with attention to audit and compliance requirements.

Soft Skills

High attention to detail and pride in delivering consistently high standards of cleanliness.
Reliable timekeeping, punctuality and the ability to work unsupervised or as part of a small team.
Strong communication skills to liaise respectfully with staff, pupils/patients, contractors and managers.
Emotional resilience and calmness when responding to distressing incidents or busy, high-pressure cleaning tasks.
Flexibility and adaptability to changing rosters, emergency call-outs and shifting site priorities.
Discretion, respect for confidentiality and understanding of safeguarding principles when working in vulnerable environments.
Problem-solving mindset — able to prioritise tasks, identify hazards and apply practical solutions quickly.
Customer-service orientation with a polite, professional demeanour when interacting with site occupants.
Willingness to learn and complete mandatory training (safeguarding, COSHH, manual handling, infection control).
Team-player attitude and ability to help onboard and mentor temporary colleagues when required.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

GCSEs or equivalent / functional literacy and numeracy to follow written instructions and complete records.

Preferred Education:

NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Cleaning & Support Services, Facilities Management, or equivalent vocational qualification preferred.
Accredited infection control or clinical cleaning training certificates where applicable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Facilities Management
Hospitality & Environmental Services
Occupational Health & Safety
Public Health / Infection Prevention

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

Entry-level to 3 years for standard roles; 1–5 years preferred for regulated or clinical sites.

Preferred:

Minimum 6–12 months’ experience in school, healthcare, care home or secure-site cleaning preferred.
Proven experience handling clinical/medical waste, using industrial cleaning equipment and following COSHH procedures.
Previous employment requiring an enhanced DBS check or work with vulnerable groups is highly desirable.