Providing a hygienically clean environment in which service users, staff and other users can thrive, work and develop.
Overview of the role
This occupation is found in a range of workplaces where specialised cleaning techniques and skills are needed to maintain a safe and hygienic environment.
Cleaning hygiene operatives will work both independently and as part of a team. They will report to a cleaning supervisor or service leader. They will work both during normal working hours and outside of normal working hours, depending on the environment they are in. They may also need to provide services immediately throughout the day.
Healthcare cleaning and hygiene operatives work in places where infection control and sanitation are important for the wellbeing of service users. High levels of cleanliness are needed to avoid the growth of bacteria and the spread of diseases and viruses.
Places a healthcare cleaning operative may work in include hospitals, care homes, doctors or dentist surgeries, and healthcare settings within prisons.
Commercial cleaning and hygiene operatives work in environments where people mix and that must be thoroughly cleaned to ensure they are always safe and hygienic. This could include environments with heavy footfall. These environments need high levels of hygiene and cleanliness to prevent the growth and spread of micro-organisms and bacteria.
Places that a commercial cleaning operative may work in include food and delivery premises, hotels and accommodation, shopping centres, offices, public transport and stations, public spaces, factories, education buildings, leisure facilities and government buildings.
Purpose of the occupation
The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide a full range of cleaning and disinfection services set by a client. They use their knowledge of standard operating procedures (SOPs)and legal requirements to provide safe and hygienic environments for service users.
Healthcare cleaning operatives must carry out their duties in line within the National Healthcare Cleaning Standards which applies to all NHS facilities.
Commercial cleaning operatives must carry out their duties in line within the regulations, processes, and procedures specific to the environment they clean. Operatives will always be required to work within the limits of the client contract.
Who the employee will interact with
Healthcare cleaning operatives may interact with service users such as patients and residents with specific needs, contractors, and visitors to the premises. They will also interact with clinical or care staff as they are often part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Commercial cleaning operatives may interact with service users such as students, domestic home residents, office or factory workers, guests and visitors to the premises. They will also interact with clients, employees, and contractors as they may be part of a multi-disciplinary facilities team.
Responsibilities
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for following strict health and safety requirements and meeting a high level of cleanliness.
All operatives will be responsible for maintaining the tools and equipment they are given to carry out their role, reporting any defects or replacements that are needed to the right person.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 12 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
Knowledge test
You will complete a multiple-choice test. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.
The test will have 24 multiple-choice questions. You will have 50 minutes to complete it.
Observation with questioning
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 2 hours. They will ask you at least 5 questions.
Interview
You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 30 minutes. They will ask you at least 5 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You can use it to help answer the questions.
The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
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