what is a caretaker?
Caretakers are in charge of the maintenance and security of houses or a group of buildings entrusted to them. Your job is to look after the assets in the property, monitor security cameras and maintain cleanliness within the premises. Sometimes, you take care of individuals within the property at the request of your employer. As a caretaker, you have to reside on the premises to provide 24-hour services. Most employers have separate living quarters for caretakers.
caretaker job description
In some cases, a caretaker's job is a short-term arrangement. For instance, if your employer is away from home for several months, you keep the house safe and complete maintenance tasks in their absence. In large estates, caretakers focus on plumbing, wiring and maintaining the gardens of the assigned premises.
As a caretaker, you can also provide caregiving duties to individuals who require assistance. Caregivers help infirm and ill people with their meals and personal hygiene. You also run errands and accompany them to medical appointments. When you are a caregiver, you live in the client's residence and have basic nursing and first-aid skills in case of emergencies.
Whether you are responsible for inanimate things like property maintenance and repairs or individuals, you need to be reliable and trustworthy. Employers depend on caretakers to keep their properties safe and care for the ill.
Would working as a caretaker suit your nurturing skills and reliability? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a caretaker role.
average salary of a caretaker
According to National Careers, a caretaker earns £16,000 per year at the start of their career. When you gain experience and improve your skills, your salary increases to £22,000 annually. Aside from the basic salary, a caretaker also receives medical allowances and contributions to a pension scheme. Some employers have bonuses and overtime pay for taking up extra shifts or working less sociable hours.
what factors influence the salary of a caretaker?
While a caretaker doesn't need academic qualifications, having some educational background and experience increases your salary prospects. For instance, a caretaker with electrical wiring and plumbing skills is likely to earn more since the employer doesn't have to spend additional cash on tradespeople. A caregiver with knowledge of nutrition and nursing also earns a better salary than one without prior experience. You can boost your salary by gaining additional certifications through short courses.
Aside from internal factors, external factors like changes in market demand for caretakers can influence your salary. When there is a demand for caregivers, the average pay increases and vice versa. Your employer also determines your wages based on the complexity of the duties. For instance, when you are responsible for a group of buildings, your earnings increase compared to a caretaker in charge of one property.
types of caretakers
The types of caretakers depend on the work settings. Some include:
- school caretaker: a school caretaker ensures teachers and pupils have a clean and safe environment. You ensure the fields are well-maintained and complete all repairs within the premises. You also supervise the cleaning of all the rooms and facilities in the school compound and handle waste disposal.
- property caretaker: as a property caretaker, you are responsible for maintenance and housekeeping duties in residential and commercial properties. In residential homes, you take care of plumbing and wiring or gardening duties. If you are in charge of an office building, you oversee cleaning and sanitation. You also install cameras and other security features to keep the building safe.
- caregiver: caregivers look after elderly or ill patients at their homes. You create a nutritional plan, run errands for them and assist with dressing and eating. Sometimes, you have to accompany them to the hospital and perform therapeutic procedures to help with recovery.
working as a caretaker
A caretaker protects and preserves their employer's property by handling repairs and maintenance duties. Explore the schedule and work environment of a caretaker.
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duties and responsibilities
While duties depend on your work settings, some common tasks of a caretaker include:
- cleaning and sanitation: caretakers are often called janitors since they clean buildings. You supervise cleaners in large properties and perform cleaning duties in residential homes. Cleaning involves dusting furniture and removing waste from the premises. You ensure the cleaning materials are available and proper waste disposal guidelines are in place.
- gardening and landscaping: as a caretaker, you are responsible for mowing the lawns and weeding the gardens in residential properties. If the garden has plants, you should trim and water them regularly.
- watching over properties: your primary responsibility as a caretaker is keeping watch on your employer's assets and property. You need to know everything going on around the premises and report problems to your employer. If it is a rental building with multiple tenants, you must watch out for trespassers. Your job also involves opening and closing entrances and common areas or operating the alarm, lighting and heating systems. You switch on the outdoor lights from a central point or set timers.
- maintenance and repairs: as a caretaker, your job involves inspecting the premises regularly to ensure social amenities and systems are in good working condition. If the problems are minor, you can fix them with basic plumbing or wiring skills. Sometimes, you have to find reliable tradespeople to fix the repairs. When you are responsible for the property appearance, your job may include repainting walls and ceilings.
- reporting: whether you are taking care of a person or property, you need to report to your employer. It is essential to document every repair or maintenance work done on the building. If you hired a skilled tradesperson to complete a task, report the costs to the owners.
- creating a nutritional plan and cooking: if your caretaking duties involve caregiving, you need to create a nutritional plan suitable for the individual's health and prepare all meals. If the person under your care cannot eat, you have to feed them and give them medication.
- paying bills: when the property owner is away, you pay utility bills and pick up mail from the mailbox. In a rental building, you pay utility bills for communal areas, receive deliveries and pass on mail to tenants.
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work environment
As a caretaker, your work environment depends on your employer. For instance, if you work in schools and commercial properties, you will work indoors and outdoors. When you are a caregiver, you work mostly indoors, especially if the patient has mobility problems. Most caretakers work from an office on the premises to complete administrative duties like writing reports, paying utility bills and sorting mail. You also have to patrol the building premises during the day to inspect. During repairs and maintenance work, you climb ladders or work from the roof, which requires protective clothing. Some commercial properties expect janitors to wear uniforms.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer, your colleagues may include electricians, cleaners and plumbers. You may also work close to site managers, property managers, maintenance managers and other specialists, including nurses, pipefitters, security officer post or even security guard position.
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work schedule
A caretaker works an average of 43 hours a week in a full-time position. When you are a full-time caregiver, you work 24/7 since the patient may have trouble staying alone. Some employers provide shift schedules with some caretakers working evenings and weekends. A caretaker is always on call to deal with burst pipes, break-ins or emergencies. While part-time opportunities are available in residential properties, they are rare in commercial settings. Caretaker jobs also involve travelling to and from the hospital and running errands for the property owner.
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job outlook
When you are a caretaker, you should explore different career opportunities in property management and caregiving. For instance, caregivers with experience and additional legal training can become legal guardians for the elderly and orphans. Alternatively, become a nurse in care homes for the elderly or people with illnesses. A caretaker with experience can move into cleaning management or become a site manager or property manager. It is also possible to explore opportunities in related areas like security and property maintenance.
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advantages of finding a caretaker job through randstad
Finding your caretaker job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a caretaker is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
If you want to work as a caretaker, you need basic education and relevant experience in related roles. A short course or training in electrical and plumbing is useful in maintenance work, while health & safety training and first-aid skills are crucial for caregivers. Most caretaker jobs require a GCSE and a driver's licence, but it is vital to have post-secondary education to boost your prospects.
Besides attending college, consider an apprenticeship in property maintenance or facilities services operative. You will gain hands-on experience on various repairs and maintenance tasks. For the apprenticeships, you need some GCSEs in English and maths.
skills and competencies
The skills you will need in the caretaker role include:
- reliability: your employer depends on you to keep the property safe and well-maintained. Those receiving care also rely on your support and skills. Hence, you need to be trustworthy and show up to work on time.
- flexibility: as a caretaker, you deal with various people when accomplishing your tasks. Being flexible helps you tailor your approach to everyone and provide the best service. Flexibility is also crucial when juggling multiple tasks.
- problem-solving skills: a caretaker requires problem-solving skills to handle problems that arise within the premises. During emergencies, you need to think on your feet to minimise panic and property damage. For instance, if a pipe bursts, you have to develop creative ways to fix the problem.
- communication skills: when you are a caretaker, you are the point person between tenants and property managers. You should be a good communicator to relay accurate information to all parties.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a caretaker
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what is a caretaker for a person?
A caretaker whose responsibility is to take care of a person is called a caregiver. Guardians also take care of seniors and children.
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what is the difference between a caretaker and a caregiver?
A caregiver provides care to an elderly or sick person on behalf of the employer. A caretaker's focus is on caring for the assets and properties of the employer.
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why would someone need a caretaker?
When you have mobility challenges and cannot function without support, you need a caretaker to help with your routine.
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how do I apply for a caretaker vacancy?
Applying for a caretaker job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
