Where You Could Work with ICS
Professional cleaning varies significantly by workplace. ICS Cleaning teams work across schools, offices, factories, retail and public buildings — each environment has different expectations, working patterns and requirements. Here's what to expect in each.
Different workplaces, different expectations
ICS Cleaning operates across Yorkshire & Lincolnshire, delivering cleaning services in a range of environments. The type of site you work on shapes your daily routine, the hours you work, and the training you receive.
Education is an important ICS specialism, but we are not an education-only employer. Our teams work across commercial, industrial, retail and public sectors too — giving you options to find a role and environment that suits you.
Schools & Academies
School cleaning is one of ICS's established specialisms. Cleaning teams work across classrooms, washrooms, corridors, dining halls and communal areas — often on term-time patterns with additional deep-clean work during school holidays.
- Classrooms, washrooms, corridors and communal areas
- Term-time routines with school-holiday deep cleans
- Safeguarding and DBS checks where required
- Often morning or late-afternoon shifts — fits around the school day
Offices & Commercial Premises
Office cleaning involves maintaining workstations, meeting rooms, washrooms, kitchens and communal areas. Work is typically carried out outside core office hours — early morning, evening or overnight.
- Workstations, meeting rooms, washrooms and kitchens
- Often early-morning or evening shifts
- Daytime porter roles in some larger premises
- Consistent, long-term contracts
Factories & Industrial Environments
Industrial cleaning involves working in factories, warehouses and distribution centres. The work may include deep cleaning, floor maintenance, high-level cleaning and periodic tasks — often during shutdown windows or outside production hours.
- Production areas, warehouses and distribution centres
- Deep cleaning and periodic maintenance
- Often scheduled during shutdown windows or off-peak hours
- Additional PPE and site-specific safety training may be required
Retail & Customer-Facing Environments
Retail cleaning includes shopping centres, retail parks and individual stores. The focus is on presentation — clean floors, entrances and washrooms — while working around customers and trading hours.
- Shopping centres, retail parks and stores
- High presentation standards in customer-facing areas
- Working around trading hours — often early morning or late evening
- Washroom servicing and front-of-house maintenance
Public & Commercial Buildings
ICS also cleans civic buildings, council premises and other public/commercial buildings. These roles involve maintaining clean, safe environments for staff and visitors, often with flexible scheduling.
- Civic buildings, council premises and public spaces
- Clean, safe environments for staff and visitors
- Flexible scheduling around building use
Safeguarding and DBS in education
Because ICS cleans schools and education settings, safeguarding is an important part of our education cleaning roles. If a role requires a DBS check, we guide you through the process — you don't need to arrange it yourself.
Education cleaning roles often follow term-time patterns, with additional deep-clean work available during school holidays for those who want extra hours. This makes school cleaning a good fit for parents and anyone who values term-time routines.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about cleaning in different workplace environments.
What is different about cleaning in a school?
School cleaning follows term-time patterns with periodic deep cleans during holidays. Safeguarding is critical — all school cleaners require a DBS check, and ICS follows strict safer recruitment procedures. Work is typically mornings before pupils arrive or evenings after the school day.
Do school cleaning jobs require a DBS check?
Yes. All school cleaning roles require an enhanced DBS check because the work takes place in an environment with children. ICS covers the cost of the DBS check and guides you through the application process as part of onboarding.
What does office cleaning involve?
Office cleaning typically includes workstations, meeting rooms, kitchens, washrooms, and communal areas. Shifts are often early morning (before staff arrive) or evening (after staff leave). Tasks include emptying bins, vacuuming, sanitising touchpoints, restocking consumables, and kitchen cleaning.
What is factory or industrial cleaning work like?
Industrial cleaning can involve larger floor areas, machinery, warehouse aisles, and production lines. It may require operating scrubber-dryers or other powered equipment. Some roles require PPE, and work may be scheduled during shutdown windows or night shifts to avoid disrupting production.
Do cleaning duties differ between workplaces?
Yes. A school cleaner focuses on classrooms, washrooms, dining halls, and sports facilities. An office cleaner focuses on desks, kitchens, and meeting rooms. An industrial cleaner may focus on floor care, machinery cleaning, and high-level dusting. Each environment has its own specification, training, and safety requirements.
Find a role in the right environment
Browse current cleaning vacancies and find a role in an environment that suits you.
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