How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job Title:  Maintenance Assistant 

Location:  Acorn Park School, Norwich, NR16 2HU

Salary:      Up to £28,000 per annum depending on experience 

Hours:      40 hours per week; Monday to Friday. Shift A: 07:00–15:30; Shift B: 08:30–17:00

Contract:  Permanent, 52 weeks 

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our ongoing growth, we are seeking a reliable and detail-oriented Maintenance Assistant to join our dedicated team at Acorn Park School, based in Banham, Norfolk.

About the Role

We are seeking a reliable and detail-oriented Maintenance Assistant to support the ongoing upkeep and repair of our facilities. The ideal candidate will work closely with the maintenance team to carry out routine inspections, assist with repairs, and perform general maintenance tasks. This role is essential in helping maintain a clean, safe, and fully functional environment for all staff and visitors.

Key Roles and Responsibilities 

• Ensure reactive maintenance is dealt with in a timely and safe manner
• Have a proactive attitude to maintenance on a daily basis
• Help to supervise works carried out by external contractors and service providers
• Ensure Health and Safety policies and procedures are followed, including the reporting of incidents as appropriate.
• To respond effectively to all repairs and maintenance, ensuring a safe and well cared for environment for all.
• Help to prepare work schedules covering school holidays
• Report breaches of Health and Safety to Estate Manager
• To carry out any relative works that the Estate Manager deems appropriate.
• Any other duties that may be required from time to time that are commensurate with the role
• Ensure that all buildings on site are secure and locked at the end of the school day

Requirements

• Prior experience in general maintenance, preferably in a school or similar setting
• Working knowledge of basic maintenance tools and procedures
• Ability to work independently and follow safety protocols
• Physical stamina to handle lifting, bending, and extended periods of walking
• Respectful and professional behaviour, especially when working around children and young adults
• Full UK Driving Licence

About us

Acorn Park is a school for 98 pupils, who all have a primary diagnosis of Autism. We run two curriculum pathways – Formal and Semi-formal. Our Complex needs pupils are on the Semi-Formal Pathway which is highly personalised from their EHCP. We have a mixture of Day and Residential pupils as we have 8 co-located pupil’s homes on our 30 Acre site in rural Norfolk. On site, we also have a large Forest School and Animal Care Farm along with play facilities, a sports hall and sensory rooms.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• BUPA Cash Plan

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.* 

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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