DBS Checks Are Non-Negotiable
This should be obvious, but you’d be surprised how many schools don’t verify this properly. Every cleaner who steps onto your premises needs an enhanced DBS check, and you need to see the evidence. Not just “our staff are DBS checked” — actual certificates, kept up to date, with a system for tracking renewals.
Ask specifically: How do they handle new staff who haven’t received their DBS certificate yet? What happens when someone’s DBS expires? A professional contractor has clear answers to these questions because they’ve had to deal with them before.
Safeguarding Training Beyond the Basics
DBS checks are the minimum. Your cleaning team should understand safeguarding in practice — recognising signs of concern, knowing who to report to, understanding why they can’t share what they see in classrooms or changing rooms. This matters because cleaners often work when children aren’t present, but they also frequently work early mornings, evenings, or during holiday clubs when access to different parts of the building is less controlled.
Ask potential contractors about their safeguarding training programme. How often is it refreshed? Is it specific to school environments, or generic cleaning industry training? Do they understand Prevent duties and what that means for their staff?
Term-Time Cleaning vs Holiday Deep Cleans
Schools aren’t offices. You need different approaches during term time (focused on daily hygiene, infection control, presentation for visitors) versus holidays (deep cleaning, floor restoration, carpet cleaning, window cleaning). Your contract should specify exactly what’s included in each period, not just “we’ll clean five days a week.”
Look for contracts that define service levels for daily cleaning, weekly tasks, and termly deep cleans. Who decides when the hall floor gets stripped and resealed? How often are carpets extracted? When do the external windows get done? Vague answers here mean you’ll be arguing about scope later.
Infection Control and Outbreak Response
Post-pandemic, this is no longer optional. Your contractor should have clear protocols for enhanced cleaning during illness outbreaks — whether that’s norovirus, flu, or something more serious. This includes knowing which disinfectants are effective against specific pathogens, understanding contact times (how long a surface needs to stay wet to actually kill germs), and having the equipment to clean at scale when needed.
Ask specifically: What would their response be if you had a norovirus outbreak in Year 3? How quickly could they deploy additional resources if needed?
Quality Assurance You Can See
“We’ll clean to a high standard” means nothing without verification. Look for contracts that include regular quality audits, with reporting you can actually use. Photo evidence of completed work is increasingly standard — and useful when you’re explaining to the head or governors why the cleaning budget is money well spent.
Staffing Continuity and Reliability
Schools need consistency. Children and staff notice when the cleaner changes every fortnight. Your contract should specify how the contractor ensures continuity — do they allocate specific staff to your school, or pull whoever’s available from a pool? What happens when someone’s sick or on holiday?
Communication and Problem Resolution
Things will go wrong. A cleaner will miss a spot, or there’ll be confusion about who’s responsible for the sports equipment store. What matters is how quickly and effectively problems get resolved. Your contract should specify response times for issues, who your point of contact is, and escalation routes if things aren’t being fixed.
The Contract Itself: What to Check
Beyond the service specification, check the contractual terms carefully: notice periods, price review clauses, performance standards, insurance levels, and TUPE obligations if you’re switching from another contractor.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Reluctance to show DBS certificates or safeguarding training records
- No clear answer about what happens during outbreaks or deep clean requirements
- Heavy reliance on subcontractors rather than employed staff
- Vague or verbal promises not backed by written specifications
Making the Right Choice
The best school cleaning contractors understand that they’re part of your wider safeguarding and facilities team, not just a service provider. They ask questions about your specific needs, your site layout, your pressure points. They have systems and documentation that demonstrate compliance, not just promises.
Take time to check references from other schools — and ask those references about problems, not just whether they’re generally satisfied. How did the contractor respond when something went wrong? That’s where you learn what they’re really like to work with.
A good school cleaning contract protects your pupils, supports your staff, and gives you one less thing to worry about. It’s worth taking the time to get it right.