Catering Assistant (Permanent Variable Hours)

PVH; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 20,000; Part time

Job summary

PVH is hiring a Catering Assistant for permanent variable hours to work across multiple Sunderland City schools. The role involves serving meals, washing up, cleaning kitchens, moving dining furniture and performing general catering duties.

Hours vary by location, typically around a couple of hours per day at lunchtime, with additional hours possible in building cleaning services. Training is provided and applicants should be comfortable with a DBS check; the role is part-time, with no

Qualifications

• No prior catering experience required; training will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Serve meals and wash up in school kitchens.
• Clean kitchens and move dining furniture.
• Cover in various school kitchens as needed; hours vary by location.

Job description

Catering Assistant (Permanent Variable Hours)

Job Summary

• Contract Type: Casual / Seasonal / Bank / Permanently Variable hours
• Working Pattern: As and when required
• Advert Start Date: 22/10/2026
• Advert End Date: 20/01/2027 23:59
• Salary: Grade 1 (SCP 3 - 4) £25,949 - £26,016 (£13.45 - £13.48 per hour)
• Allowances: None
• Hours per week: No minimum contracted hours (PVH contract) but regular work likely ranging from 7.5 hrs - 12.5 hours / week on average
• Job Category: Catering / Cleaning
• Vacancy ID: 303633
• Employment Location: Various schools within City of Sunderland (the position is a mobile post so will involve working in various locations)
• Number of posts: 10
• Closing date: 20 Jan

Further Information

Looking for part time, term time work in school meals? Do you have a happy, pleasant manner and a love of children? Then please read on!

Permanent Variable Hour positions exist within the school meals service across all areas of the City of Sunderland (including Washington / Hetton le Hole / Houghton le Spring).

Duties will include the serving of meals, washing up, cleaning of the kitchen, movement of dining furniture and all general catering duties. You will be required to cover in a range of kitchens in your locality where required and hours worked will depend on the kitchen where you are covering but will tend to average around 2 hours / day over the lunch time period. If you are looking for extra hours, then work is also available within the Council's Building Cleaning service, cleaning in schools / Civic buildings on mornings / afternoons (this can be discussed at interview if necessary). There is regular work available for PVH staff and permanent contracted hour positions are advertised for existing school meals employees throughout the year. Previous catering experience is not essential as full training will be provided.

This post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore will be subject to a DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

For an informal discussion please contact Keith Miles, Catering Services Manager on 07801 042 171. E-Mail: [e-mail]

Supporting documents

• PrivacyNotice.pdf (86.74 KB)
• SCCEmployeeBenefits.pdf (803.36 KB)
• CateringAssistant-JD-2026-10.docx (47.89 KB)
• CateringAssistant-PS-2026-10.docx (47.3 KB)