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:   Higford School, Near Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 9ET

Salary:       £12.50 per hour

Hours:       25 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract:   Permanent, Term Time Only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Maintenance Assistant to join our close-knit team at Higford School, part of Options Autism.

About the Role

We’re looking for a reliable and proactive Maintenance Assistant to join our on-site Facilities Team at Higford School. You’ll help maintain and improve the school’s buildings, grounds, equipment, and plant, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for pupils and staff.

You’ll be responsible for both planned and reactive maintenance, supporting site safety, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. Ideal candidates will have experience in a trade, facilities, or maintenance role and be confident working independently or as part of a team.

Key responsibilities include:

• General repairs, maintenance, and refurbishment
• Regular site checks and compliance with PPM schedules
• Supporting fire drills and alarm testing
• Keeping external areas safe and clear
• Liaising with contractors and suppliers
• Using and storing tools and chemicals safely (COSHH)
• Contributing to risk assessments and safety procedures

Essential:

• Experience in a trade or maintenance role
• Knowledge of health & safety procedures
• Good communication and teamwork skills
• Reliable, discreet, and resilient

Desirable:

• Experience in an education or care setting
• First Aid qualification
• Understanding of safe working practices

About Us

Options Higford is a specialist school set in 28 acres of beautiful Shropshire countryside. We provide a high quality, holistic education for up to 60 autistic students who also have associated behavioural needs. Class groups have five students in with at least 1:1 staffing. We provide personalised curriculums for each student based on their individual needs and aim to support them to make progress academically, socially, with skills for life, regulating their emotions and accessing the community.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 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?

We place the outcomes of the pupils 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. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

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

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.

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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