Guidance

'Domestic' role category

Updated 16 July 2026

Applies to England

This role category describes a group of similar roles. In different places, these roles may be called different things and/or have different role titles.

What people do in their work

This section outlines the kind of responsibilities someone within this role category is likely to undertake as part of their role.

This role category focuses on people working in domestic roles within adult social care, helping keep the setting safe, clean and welcoming for people who draw on care and support. This may involve:

• completing general domestic tasks like dusting, vacuuming and mopping
• following infection prevention and control practices to protect people living in the setting from harm
• providing laundry support like washing, drying and ironing bedding and residents’ personal clothing
• keeping track of domestic supplies and ordering more when needed
• participating in ensuring that the setting meets appropriate health and safety legislation, like fire prevention and safety legislation

This role category could be across a variety of settings. You might work:

• in a residential setting
• through supported independent living
• in a day service

While you will not provide support with direct care tasks like personal care, your work in domestic support will still play an integral role in enhancing the health, wellbeing and overall experience of individuals who draw on care and support.

It will also provide opportunities to develop knowledge and skills within direct care, with the potential for career progression into care if that is what you want to do.

Examples of the type of role performed

Some role titles for individuals working in domestic services might include:

• housekeeper
• cleaner
• housekeeping assistant
• domestic assistant
• domestic worker
• housekeeping and laundry assistant
• hospitality assistant
• cleaning services assistant
• hygiene specialist
• cleaning technician
• environmental services assistant
• care home domestic supervisor

Values

Values are the foundation underpinning the behaviours that people in this role category must show.

The values are:

• kind, compassionate and empathetic
• honest, trustworthy and reliable
• respect
• courageous and principled
• see the whole person
• flexible, open and learning
• proud and positive

You can read more about the values in the ‘overview’ document on the care workforce pathway landing page - see the section on ‘Universal sector values’.

The behaviours people must show (must do)

Behaviours are the way that values are demonstrated in practice.

This section outlines the behaviours required to work within this role category. These are the things people must be doing in their job.

You must:

• act in an ethical and professional manner in the workplace
• build and maintain positive relationships with colleagues and adults in a care setting
• take an organised and methodical approach to completing tasks in a timely manner
• take personal responsibility for developing knowledge and skills and continually seek to improve your performance
• seek to develop personal resilience and maintain wellbeing
• use and promote sustainable practices and challenge unsustainable practices
• treat everyone with dignity, sensitivity and respect, acting with integrity while interacting with others
• actively listen to individuals, families and colleagues to understand their needs
• take pride in your role in adult social care, celebrating achievements and successes
• demonstrate an energy and enthusiasm for your work, ensuring the focus is always on providing the best outcomes for people who draw on care and support
• demonstrate a commitment to maintaining confidentiality

Knowledge and skills people should have

Knowledge is the understanding someone needs to carry out the responsibilities of the role.

Skills are the ability to apply that knowledge in practice.

This section outlines the knowledge and skills someone working in this role category should know and the things they should be able to do in their job.

Digital skills

As part of learner knowledge and skill development, you can also work to level 1 (digital skills for all) of the Adult Social Care Digital Skills Framework.

Knowledge and skills breakdown for this role category

Detailed below are the knowledge and skills expected of someone working in domestic services in adult social care. These competencies reflect what is specific to the adult social care environment and do not represent the full range of knowledge and skills that a domestic worker may need.

Understanding the care environment

You should:

• understand how the care in your setting operates
• be aware of relevant legislation and how it might affect the setting you work in and how you need to work (for example, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, safeguarding adults)
• understand the limits of your role and when, in emergencies or otherwise, you need to contact other staff for support

Awareness of common conditions among people who draw on care (specific to your setting)

You should:

• be aware of common conditions that individuals might have within adult social care and how you can support them in the context of your role. This might include:
  • adults with learning disabilities
  • autistic adults
  • adults living with mental health or dementia
  • adults living with physical disabilities
  • diabetes, allergies and other medical dietary requirements
• understand how to maintain individuals’ dignity and rights while domestic work is being carried out, particularly when completing domestic work in individuals’ personal spaces

Managing domestic tasks in your care setting

You should:

• understand what domestic equipment and cleaning products are used in your care setting to complete domestic tasks
• understand how to use domestic equipment and cleaning products safely, with minimum impact on individuals in care settings (for example, not using vacuums during night-time hours)
• be able to provide emergency domestic support - for example, dealing with vomit, blood or other bodily fluids safely
• be able to complete all laundry tasks required by your setting
• be able to complete all domestic cleaning tasks required by your setting

Health and safety

You should:

• understand and support the implementation of health and safety policy in your setting
• understand and know how to promote fire safety in the work setting
• ensure that all domestic cleaning products and equipment are stored safely so they are not a hazard
• ensure that control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) regulations are adhered to in your work
• be able to monitor that all entrances and fire exits are kept free of obstructions, particularly from domestic cleaning equipment
• ensure all incidents and accidents are recorded and reported according to your organisation’s policy
• be able to follow risk assessments put in place by your setting or organisation
• ensure waste is managed and disposed of safely, particularly recognising the hazardous waste generated in care settings
• be able to regularly check the setting for any hazards that might cause trips or falls and work to ensure these hazards are eliminated
• understand the need to ensure that safety signage is put up after cleaning tasks are completed to help protect individuals from slips or falls
• recognise that in some settings, individuals may have diminished or no capacity to understand safety signage and therefore follow other safety protocols as agreed with management

Engaging with IT systems

You should:

• understand the importance of tracking domestic task completion in care settings
• be able to record domestic tasks in IT systems as directed by your organisation
• be able to keep up-to-date and accurate records of domestic work completed in your setting
• where applicable, be able to track budgets for domestic products through systems agreed with your employer

Understanding person-centred care

You should:

• understand what is meant by the term ‘person-centred care’
• understand how you can support the provision of person-centred care in your setting
• be able to positively engage with people who draw on care and support, supporting them to have a positive experience with adult social care

Support individuals’ health and wellbeing

You should be able to:

• support the health and wellbeing of people who draw on care and support
• help monitor individuals’ wellbeing and know who to report concerns to

Infection prevention and control

You should:

• understand the importance of infection prevention and control in care settings
• understand what cleaning products are safe to be used in care environments to help prevent and control the spread of infection
• know how to and be able to prevent and control the spread of infection
• be able to support managing outbreaks in care environments

Additional knowledge and skills

In addition to the above knowledge and skills, domestic staff should also have the following competencies that align with the knowledge and skills detailed in the ‘New to care’ role category (as required):

• using and managing data, and data security
• reduce the likelihood of abuse
• demonstrating effective interpersonal skills
• managing your time
• introduction to health, safety​ and wellbeing
• fire safety (health and safety)

Oliver’s Training

Complete Oliver’s Training on Learning Disability and Autism: Tier 1. Tier 2 can be undertaken in settings providing direct care to individuals with autism or a learning disability.