Catering Assistant

Serco Group; Clapham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20 Days holiday

Contributory pension up to 6%

Apprenticeships in Catering

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts across retailers

Free lunch and dinner on site

Gym discount

Job summary

Serco Group in Bedford is seeking a Catering Assistant at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre, Milton Ernest. You will work 12-hour shifts on a 3 days on / 3 days off pattern and support chefs with meal preparation and delivery.

We prioritise hygiene and safety, cultural meals, and a positive environment for people in our care. The role includes training, development, and regular health and wellbeing benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering/kitchen work.
• Food safety qualifications (Level 2 or 3) preferred.
• Knowledge of HACCP and allergen controls preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support chefs with food preparation for a variety of menus.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness.
• Safely receive, store, and manage food deliveries, stock and waste disposal.
• Record production and kitchen data in line with HACCP and audit requirements.
• Assist with quality checks and hospitality services when required.
• Follow safety, safeguarding and security procedures at all times.

Skills

Catering experience

Food Safety Level 2 or 3

HACCP knowledge

Teamwork and communication

Basic computer skills

Job description

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Location: Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre, Twinwoods Business Park, Thurleigh Road, Milton Ernest, Bedford MK44 1FD
Salary: £27,315.14 per annum plus excellent benefits
Schedule: 3 days on / 3 days off | 12-hour shifts (7:00 AM – 7:00 PM)

Ready to impact a better future?

As a Catering Assistant in our Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre team, you’ll help deliver nutritious, high-quality meals that support the wellbeing of people during a challenging period in their lives. Working in a busy kitchen environment, you’ll play an important role in maintaining food quality, safety, and service standards.

Your work has purpose. By supporting the delivery of culturally appropriate meals and maintaining high standards of hygiene and care, you’ll help create a positive impact on the daily experience of those in our care. Every meal you help serve contributes to a safe, respectful, and supportive environment, helping us impact a better future.

What you’ll do as a Catering Assistant

• Support chefs with food preparation for a variety of menus, including special dietary and cultural requirements
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, and cleanliness across the kitchen environment
• Safely receive, store, and manage food deliveries, stock, and waste disposal
• Record food production and kitchen data in line with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), allergen controls, and audit requirements
• Assist with quality checks and hospitality services when required
• Follow safety, safeguarding, and security procedures at all times

Does this sound like you?

• Experience working in a catering, kitchen, or fast-paced food service environment (preferred but not essential)
• Food Safety Level 2 or Level 3 qualification, or willingness to achieve this (preferred but not essential)
• Knowledge of HACCP and allergen management procedures (preferred but not essential)
• Strong teamwork and communication skills, with a positive and reliable approach
• Basic computer skills
• Access to site is permitted through Clapham village for non-transport users if appropriate
• You may be working in a pub kitchen with anti-social hours, and want to have a change of career where you are fully valued, respected and desire more consistency.

What we offer

• Holidays: 20 Days
• Pension:Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Training and development: Specific apprenticeships available focused on Catering, all fully funded and during work hours.
• Health and wellbeing:Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime Healthline, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco‑managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel. Blue light card holder available. 4% off at Tesco, & similar supermarkets (subject to T&C’s).
• Free lunch and dinner on site as supplied by the kitchen
• Discount for the gym located on the business park. (Bedford Gym & Swim).
• Vetting and checks:

A possible vetting process will take place before employment can commence. This process may take up to three months to complete, but usually less than 4-6 weeks. Dispensation may be applied discretionary once DBS is obtained.

A little bit about us:

At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our inclusive recruitment commitment:

We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, a top Great British Employer of Veterans, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).