Catering Assistant

Leonard Cheshire; Hitchin; Hybrid; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave (increase with/yr

Free Blue Light Card

Contributory Pension & life cover

Health cash plan

Career development: food hygiene quali

Free DBS check

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Leonard Cheshire is seeking a Catering Assistant at Symonds House in Hitchin. This part-time role offers 15 hours per week across 3 days with shifts, typically 9am–2pm, and involves meal preparation, serving, and upholding hygiene standards to ensure safe, enjoyable mealtimes for residents.

Includes benefits such as leave, pension, health plans, DBS check, and development opportunities. Experience in catering is helpful, and Level 2 Food Hygiene is preferred or achievable.

Qualifications

• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to work towards this).
• Previous kitchen or catering experience is advantageous.
• Ability to work flexibly within rostered hours.
• Basic literacy and numeracy skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with preparation and cooking of meals in line with menus and dietary needs.
• Serve food and beverages to customers, ensuring a safe and enjoyable mealtime.
• Support the maintenance of high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen and dining areas, following HACCP and COSHH regulations.
• Work closely with care teams and customers to provide suitable menus.
• Follow individual customer risk assessments, supporting specific needs such as dysphagia or mobility.
• Use kitchen equipment safely and report any faults or supply needs.
• Participate in training, supervision, and team meetings as required.
• Carry out additional reasonable duties as requested by your line manager.

Skills

Basic literacy

Numeracy

Communication and teamwork

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

£12.84 per hour | Part-time | Symonds House

“Helping people enjoy their meals safely and happily – every mealtime is an opportunity to make someone’s day.”
That’s how one of our Catering Assistants describes their role. If you’re enthusiastic about food, enjoy supporting others, and want to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

A home, not just a service

Symonds House is a spacious and modern residential home in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, supporting 20 disabled adults. Surrounded by wonderful views of the local countryside, our home is close to ships, pubs and cafes. You'll find good transport connections to London, Stevenage, Peterborough, and Cambridge.

Your working hours

This is a part -time role, working 15 hours per-week across 3 days. Flexibility is required to work across weekdays, weekends and bank holidays as part of a rota.

Typical shifts may include

• Day shifts: 9am – 2pm

Why you’ll love working here

As well as supporting your wellbeing and development, we offer a fantastic range of benefits:

• 28 days annual leave (20 days plus 8 bank holidays), increasing by 1 day for each completed year of service, up to a maximum of 33 days.
• Free Blue Light Card: Exclusive discounts and benefits
• Contributory Pension Scheme & competitive life cover
• Health cash plan: Affordable healthcare at your fingertips
• Career development: Opportunities to gain food hygiene qualifications
• Free DBS check
• Employee Assistance Programme – support when you need it most

What you’ll do

• Assist with preparation and cooking of meals in line with menus and dietary needs
• Serve food and beverages to customers, ensuring a safe and enjoyable mealtime
• Support the maintenance of high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen and dining areas, following HACCP and COSHH regulations
• Work closely with care teams and customers to provide suitable menus
• Follow individual customer risk assessments, supporting specific needs such as dysphagia or mobility
• Use kitchen equipment safely and report any faults or supply needs
• Participate in training, supervision, and team meetings as required
• Carry out additional reasonable duties as requested by your line manager

What helps you shine here

• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to work towards this)
• Previous kitchen or catering experience is advantageous
• Ability to work flexibly within rostered hours
• Basic literacy and numeracy skills
• Understanding of safe food handling and hygiene practices
• Good communication and teamwork skills
• A genuine commitment to the values and ethos of Leonard Cheshire

About Leonard Cheshire

Established over 75 years ago, we exist to support disabled people to live, learn, and work as independently as possible.

Leonard Cheshire welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We actively encourage applications from people with a disability, supporting where possible, your requirements for reasonable adjustments.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. A satisfactory disclosure check (PVG membership in Scotland) is required for this post. References will be obtained for all roles.

Visa sponsorship is not available at this time. Applicants must have the unrestricted right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are unable to progress applications from candidates who require sponsorship or are awaiting a visa decision.