Catering Assistant (Casual Relief)

Springwell Special Academy; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Zero-hours contract

Flexible hours

Staff training

Job summary

Springwell Special Academy is seeking a friendly relief catering assistant to join our supportive catering team, delivering wholesome meals to pupils in a safe, welcoming environment.

No experience needed; full training provided. This casual, zero-hours contract role offers flexible shifts to cover staff absences or busy periods, with ongoing training and a strong emphasis on safeguarding and child welfare.

Qualifications

• No experience required; full training provided.
• Reliability, teamwork and a strong work ethic are valued.
• Willingness to undertake training such as Food Safety or First Aid.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Catering Lead in serving meals to pupils.
• Prepare, cook and serve nutritious food while meeting dietary needs.
• Keep dining areas, kitchens and equipment clean and tidy.
• Safely use catering equipment and follow food safety guidelines (training provided).
• Support stock control, menu support and basic catering IT systems.
• Maintain high standards of safety and safeguarding for pupils and staff.

Skills

Reliability

Teamwork

Communication

Flexibility

Tools

Food Safety (training)

First Aid (training)

COSHH awareness

Job description

Join our supportive catering team and help us deliver great food in a safe, welcoming environment for young people!

Why Apply?

• No Experience Needed: Full training is provided from day one.

• No Qualifications Required: We value reliability, teamwork and a strong work ethic above paper qualifications.

• Great Benefits & Support: Access ongoing training, work within a supportive team and directly contribute to your local community.

• Contract Details: This is a casual, zero-hours contract. As a relief catering assistant, you will be called upon to work on an "as-and-when-needed" basis to cover staff absences, holidays, or extra busy periods. This is a highly flexible role perfect for someone looking for occasional work.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Working as part of a friendly kitchen team, assisting the Catering Lead in serving wholesome, delicious meals to young people.

• Preparing, cooking, and serving nutritious food to high standards, while accommodating dietary needs.

• Keeping dining areas, kitchens, and equipment clean and tidy through regular washing up, sanitising, and clearing.

• Safely using catering equipment and following food safety, hygiene, and COSHH guidelines (we will support your training).

• Helping with stock control, menu support, and operating basic catering IT systems.

• Maintaining high standards of safety and safeguarding to keep the premises secure and welcoming for pupils and staff.

What We Are Looking For:

• A reliable, hardworking individual who takes pride in delivering quality service every time.

• Someone comfortable working in a busy, active kitchen environment.

• Someone with strong communication skills committed to creating a safe environment for young people.

• Someone who is flexible and willing to undertake relevant training, such as Food Safety or First Aid.

• Someone who requires flexible hours and is happy to be called upon for relief shift work as and when required.

Interviews will be virtual.

Wellspring Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. All posts are offered subject to enhanced DBS checks. As this role involves working with children in regulated activity, please note that it is an offence to apply for the role if barred from engaging in regulated activity with children.

References will be requested and an online search carried out for shortlisted candidates prior to attendance at interview. Further pre-employment checks, including prohibition from teaching, childcare disqualification and section 128 checks, if deemed relevant for the role, will be completed for the successful candidate upon acceptance of the post.

We are committed to equal opportunities and to promoting diversity. We want our people to reflect the diversity of our communities, and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, especially from under-represented groups, including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

If you are currently living overseas or have lived / worked overseas in the last five years please be aware that you will be required to provide an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in, if you are the preferred candidate for the post.