Maintenance Operative

Role overview

Bupa UK is hiring a permanent full-time Maintenance Operative for its care home in Lawn Lane, Springfield, Chelmsford (CM1 7JB). The role is based on a 40-hour working week and includes on-call duties. The advertised pay is £13.55 to £16.61 per hour, depending on experience. The site has a CQC rating of Good and a Carehome.co.uk score of 9.5/10.

About the home

The care home sits in a peaceful residential area close to central Chelmsford. It supports people needing nursing, residential, convalescence, respite and palliative care, as well as residents living with a physical disability. The home offers short stays, advanced bookings and longer-term support, with bright interiors, ensuite bedrooms, landscaped gardens, a sun loggia and a furnished patio. A 24-hour call system and trained care teams help ensure residents receive support when needed. Mealtimes overlook the garden, and the chef manager works with the chef team to meet residents’ nutritional needs. An activities programme regularly includes exercise, games, visiting entertainment and a mobile library.

Main purpose of the role

This position is focused on keeping the home’s buildings, equipment and facilities working safely and efficiently. You will carry out maintenance and repair work to a high standard, follow Bupa procedures and comply with relevant laws, safety requirements and industry good practice. The role also helps maintain the quality, appearance and values of the home.

Key duties

• Complete health, safety and compliance checks within required timescales using Bupa’s digital tools and systems.
• Pick up, manage and close maintenance-related actions assigned to the Maintenance Manager or the home on compliance platforms.
• Maintain safe, clean conditions across the home and grounds in line with Environmental Health standards, Fire Authority expectations, Legionella controls and health and safety rules.
• Carry out repair and maintenance work promptly, to a good standard and with attention to cost effectiveness, while keeping internal decoration aligned with the organisation’s first-impression standards.
• Review and act on residents’ preferences for their personal spaces, ensuring these are documented and followed through.
• Identify defects, source quotations and arrange repairs through Bupa-approved contractors, always following internal procedures.
• Escalate any defects that cannot be repaired to the Home Manager or Property/Maintenance Manager as appropriate.
• Oversee maintenance-related elements of refurbishment and capital works, aiming to reduce disruption for residents, visitors and colleagues.
• Keep all tools and equipment safe, secure and properly maintained.
• Support the induction of new colleagues by explaining emergency exits, fire points and evacuation procedures, and keep records of instructions where required.
• Provide maintenance support to other local care homes within a reasonable distance, up to 1 hour from the usual workplace, when needed.

Skills and experience needed

You should have a solid grasp of building services, including heating, hot and cold water systems, ventilation, electrical distribution and plumbing. Experience with building fabric maintenance, planned maintenance systems, record keeping and compliance is important, along with a practical understanding of statutory requirements. A full driving licence is required. The ideal candidate will also bring either a relevant building, electrical or plumbing qualification, or at least 3 years of hands-on experience in property maintenance and general repairs. Strong teamwork, computer literacy, customer service and flexibility are also essential, as well as practical painting and decorating ability.

Benefits

Bupa offers a wellbeing-focused benefits package that supports physical, mental, financial, social and environmental health. The package includes free access to My Healthcare support, advice and treatment services, a yearly allowance worth around £350 to spend on selected Bupa healthcare products, early wage access through Wagestream, 28 days of holiday, enhanced sick pay for frontline teams, long-service rewards, a free meal on every shift, an interest-free annual travel loan, pension options, parental leave schemes, a menopause support plan, and discounts at many gyms and fitness facilities across the UK.

About Bupa

Bupa is a health insurer and healthcare provider with no shareholders, meaning customer care is at the centre of its work. The company’s purpose is to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives while building a better world. It promotes a culture of bravery, care and responsibility, and encourages people to bring their authentic selves to work. Applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences are especially welcomed.

Additional information

Bupa is a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and aims to offer an interview or assessment to every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria. Reasonable adjustments are available during recruitment for anyone who needs them. Please note that this role is not at or above RQF Level 3 and is therefore not eligible for sponsorship under the UK Points Based Immigration System.

Work area

This position sits within Care Home - Facilities & Home Support.