Catering Assistant

Outcomes First Group; Southampton; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Your Wellbeing Matters (mental health/

Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista)

Health benefits

Discounts

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Job summary

Dibden Park School, part of Outcomes First Group, is seeking a Catering Assistant to provide healthy, nutritious meals for students and create a positive lunchtime experience. You will work with the Kitchen Manager to prepare, cook and serve meals while upholding high hygiene and safety standards in the kitchen and dining areas.

A Full UK Driving Licence is required. The role supports interaction with students, promotes a positive dining environment and contributes to the smooth running of

Qualifications

• Full UK Driving Licence required.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with the preparation, cooking and serving of meals, including catering for special dietary requirements.
• Supporting the cleaning and maintenance of the kitchen, dining hall and catering equipment.
• Helping to ensure food is prepared and served safely, efficiently and to a high standard.
• Maintaining excellent standards of cleanliness, food hygiene and health and safety.
• Monitoring food supplies and reporting any shortages or issues.
• Assisting with the organisation of meal numbers, additional meal requirements and record keeping.
• Supporting the supervision of students during lunchtime to ensure a safe, positive and hygienic dining environment.
• Reporting any concerns or observations regarding student behaviour to teaching staff.
• Following school policies, procedures and safe working practices at all times.
• Attending training and team meetings to support your ongoing development.

Skills

Driving licence

Job description

As a Catering Assistant, you will play an important part in providing healthy, nutritious meals for our students and helping to create a positive lunchtime experience. Working alongside the Kitchen Manager, you will support the preparation, cooking and serving of meals while maintaining high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and safety within the kitchen and dining areas., This is a varied role where you'll help ensure students and staff receive high-quality meals in a welcoming environment. You'll also have the opportunity to interact with students, promoting a positive dining experience and supporting the smooth running of lunchtime service.,

This role would suit someone who enjoys working as part of a team, takes pride in maintaining high standards, and is passionate about helping create a positive experience for students each day. Please note - a Full UK Driving Licence is required.

Dibden Park School is a brand-new independent specialist school in Southampton, supporting students with SEMH needs, communication difficulties, and associated complex behaviours. The school provides a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where small classes and personalised support help every student thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our broad and purposeful curriculum combines formal learning with life skills and enrichment activities to develop confidence, independence, and resilience. Students benefit from staff who understand their individual needs and remove barriers to engagement. Working closely with families, the school fosters strong relationships and a supportive community. Dibden Park School supports every child and young person to feel safe, be heard, discover their worth, develop their strengths and create a limitless future. At Outcomes First Schools, we provide specialist education for learners who need a deeper level of understanding, expertise and support than mainstream education can typically offer. We support students with a wide range of complex, co-occurring and neurodivergent needs, including autism, ADHD, SEMH, speech and communication needs, dyslexia and experiences of trauma or adversity. We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Assisting with the preparation, cooking and serving of meals, including catering for special dietary requirements.
• Supporting the cleaning and maintenance of the kitchen, dining hall and catering equipment.
• Helping to ensure food is prepared and served safely, efficiently and to a high standard.
• Maintaining excellent standards of cleanliness, food hygiene and health and safety.
• Monitoring food supplies and reporting any shortages or issues.
• Assisting with the organisation of meal numbers, additional meal requirements and record keeping.
• Supporting the supervision of students during lunchtime to ensure a safe, positive and hygienic dining environment.
• Reporting any concerns or observations regarding student behaviour to teaching staff.
• Following school policies, procedures and safe working practices at all times.
• Attending training and team meetings to support your ongoing development.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support