“Kingfisher Learning Trust appointed Orian to provide cleaning services to its 4 schools at the start of 2022. This was the first time the Trust had outsourced such a major contract away from the Local Authority, who had provided services to the schools in the Trust since they opened. As such it was a nervous time and a time of change with some staff choosing not to transfer over to Orian.

“Orian handled all the stages incredibly well with great communication, sensitivity to the existing staff and clearly had systems and processes in place to ensure that the mobilisation was as painless as possible.

“One of the key reasons the Trust chose Orian was the proactive on-site management and the support of the ‘head office’ function and we have found these to be key strengths of Orian. The local team led by Tina have been fantastic in ensuring that resources are in the right place and responding to changing needs across schools in the Trust.  Support from the ‘head office’, via Don is always there and has been utilised to develop working patterns and hours as the new service has taken shape.

“We have always prided ourselves that the cleaners, despite not being direct employees, are viewed as part of the team and this is developing with the new cleaners to the Trust. Existing cleaners are adapting to the new ways of working from Orian and the different processes and equipment – the key here is that they have remained happy working here and feel supported by the team at Orian.

“We do feel that working with Orian will be a long-term partnership and that as new schools join the Trust we can bring Orian in to work at these new locations and continue to develop the team ensuring that our schools are clean and safe for our pupils and staff.”