We have extensive experience in the delivery of routine and periodic cleaning services to multi-scheme contracts within the Social Housing Sector across large geographic areas. We currently provide routine cleaning services to over 700 separate housing schemes nationwide within our portfolio of housing association and local authority clients.
We have a long-standing reputation for delivering exceptional service to housing associations and tailoring our approach to meet the unique needs of each customer. We recognise that no two housing associations are the same and providing exceptional service is fundamental to our operations.
Serving a diverse range of needs to tenants including those with learning or physical disabilities, as well as vulnerable or elderly individuals, families, and single occupants. We adapt our services to suit the specific requirements of our customers and their tenants.
The two main Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) we use to measure our performance are the provision of the agreed staffing levels and the frequency and standard of cleaning as required by the specification. To manage these efficiently we employ a cloud-based time and attendance management system. This system provides our management team with portal access to a suite of scheduling, workflow planning and auditing tools. Additionally, through a smartphone application or a site-based tablet, our cleaning operatives are required to log on and off duty in real time.
Each cleaning operative is visited monthly, and the quality of their work, along with their compliance with the specifications, is assessed and scored on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 representing ‘Excellent.’ These audits are digitally recorded using a smartphone application and securely stored on our cloud-based system ensuring audits results are available immediately for our customers to receive a copy if required.
All our management teams contact details (landline and mobile telephone numbers and email addresses) are of course provided to the client’s management team but additionally these contracts are also supported by a central 24-hour (telephone and email) helpdesk at our head office in Nottingham.
The helpdesk records and escalates any issues, relaying information and co-ordinating activities acting as a central communications hub for the client organisations, Ideal’s management team, supervisors and on-site cleaning operatives. with outcomes notified back.
We recognise that residents and tenants are your valued customers, and we represent your interests every time we visit your properties. To ensure that your residents and tenants are familiar with who we are and what we do, Ideal’s Management Team actively participates in resident and tenant meetings alongside client representatives.
This involvement also allows us to gather direct feedback from tenants about their perception of our service quality. We will also post a sign on the notice board, where available, featuring photos of the staff responsible for cleaning each building, along with the days residents can expect to see them.
As a company we try to provide realistic Social Value within the contracts we service. Most of our Social Housing clients have a clear vision as to what Social Value they wish to deliver. We have worked alongside them to help them achieve these goals and in recent years the publishing of our own Social Value Strategy and annual reports have helped us stay aligned with our customers’ goals. A key element that we can help housing associations with is local job opportunities and we always recruit from within the schemes or District that are being cleaned wherever possible.
We engage with other charitable and community projects, such as attending Job Fairs organised in conjunction with Dales Housing and Derbyshire Dales District Council, providing Stewarding Support for the Castle Vale Festival, Official Sponsorship for Birmingham in Bloom whilst servicing the Birmingham City Council contract for Low Rise Cleaning and donating litter picking equipment to community projects in the North East for Karbon Homes.
The quality and standards of the cleaning services are monitored through a programme of site audits and inspections conducted by our Area Managers. During these visits, each cleaning operative is evaluated monthly, and their work and compliance with the specification are scored on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being excellent.
These audits are digitally recorded using our smartphone application and stored on our cloud-based system. Bespoke specifications, requirements, and frequencies can be pre-set in the system, allowing the Area Manager to conduct thorough and accurate audits.
Services are provided and monitored through Ideal’s Network of Regional Offices by our Regional Management teams. Each office and team have responsibility for the work within its own geographical area providing the following support.
Operations Management Team
For each of our customers requiring mobile cleaning operatives, an efficient and economically effective route is planned before the contract begins using a sophisticated route planner system. This planning is further refined through the expertise of our Senior Management and Directors, who work to identify and implement efficiencies wherever possible. The routes are under constant review to ensure optimal service delivery and cost-effectiveness, allowing us to adapt to any changes in the contract or operational requirements swiftly.
Having worked extensively with housing associations and local authorities, we understand the significant impact of communal area cleaning on tenant service charges and the importance of cost transparency. Typically, pricing on most of our contracts is adjusted annually from April, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the previous September. This adjustment schedule allows for any increases to be agreed early, enabling the timely calculation and communication of service charges to tenants before April.
Our Mobile Teams will be in the area every day servicing the routine cleaning of your schemes and they can respond rapidly to any to emergency callout.
In addition to our daily services, our Mobile Teams are always prepared to handle any unexpected situations that may arise. Whether it’s an accidental spill, a sudden outbreak, or any other cleaning emergency, our teams can be dispatched quickly to address the issue and restore cleanliness and safety to your premises.
Our Area Teams are dedicated to providing comprehensive void cleans at the end of tenancies. We understand the importance of presenting a clean and welcoming property to new tenants, and our experienced professionals ensure every corner is spotless. In addition to cleaning, our Facilities Management (FM) Division is equipped to handle any repairs or re-fits required before handing over to the new tenant. Our team of skilled technicians ensures that the property meets all necessary standards and is in excellent condition.
Most surfaces can be cleaned using a mild detergent and our standard environmentally safe products are excellent for this, backed up with with a deep disinfection periodically. However as some soft play equipment is manufactured with a durable and antimicrobial coating, we work with the school staff and manufactures to agree the right methods and products and the cleaning staff are trained accordingly.
Wherever possible we undertake most of the routine cleaning outside of school hours when there are no students present, so that the cleaning operative can work unhindered and the disruption to the children is minimised.
Day time cleaners and janitor staff are there through the school day to cope with any spillages or emergencies.
A fully certified provider to provide clients with the peace of mind they deserve when looking to us for a solution.
Your satisfaction is our main goal. With regular audits, continuous training and expert equipment we can ensure we provide this to the highest quality.
Our expertise and experience give you the sense of security that your facility will be kept safe.
"*" indicates required fields
Today marks the first 12 months of Ideal Services providing communal cleaning services for Community Housing which have been highly successful, establishing a strong and reliable partnership from the start.
The first achievement during this period was the smooth delivery of the TUPE programme. Staff were supported through clear communication and a well-managed transition.
Operational performance has been a clear strength. You consistently attended all sites in line with agreed schedules, delivering cleaning services efficiently and without issue. Strong planning, effective supervision, and clear task allocation have ensured communal areas are maintained to standard across all locations. This reliability has provided reassurance to residents and housing teams.
Customers and residents have positively recognised the consistency and professionalism of the service. Feedback has highlighted the visible improvement in communal spaces and the confidence that comes from knowing cleaning teams attend as planned.
Strong communication and collaboration with Community Housing have further supported this success, allowing any queries to be addressed promptly and services to remain aligned with site requirements.
Overall, the first year has demonstrated Ideal Services’ ability to deliver a stable, high-quality communal cleaning service. With solid foundations in place, the partnership is well positioned to continue building on these achievements in the years ahead.
You do not need to provide cleaning supplies or equipment. Our pricing includes the supply and maintenance of all the necessary; equipment, materials and chemicals required by the cleaning operatives to fully perform their duties. However, it does not include ‘Consumables’ – by which we mean things like Paper Towels, Liquid Soap, Toilet Rolls and Refuse Sacks. These are available from Ideal but are separate from the main contract price.
We can – but this would only be an ‘indicative quote’ or estimate and would be subject to an actual site survey by one of our Field Sales representatives. A full site survey is the best way to accurately quote for your cleaning needs and allows us the opportunity to discuss your requirements with you in detail.
