Food Service Assistant

Elizabeth Finn Homes Ltd; Reigate; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group pension scheme

Occupational sick pay after probation

Wellbeing support through employee aid

Care Friends rewards

Blue Light card discounts

Long service awards

Subsidised meals while on duty

Apprenticeships and development

Job summary

Elizabeth Finn Homes Ltd is seeking a compassionate and reliable Food Services Assistant to support the preparation and service of meals for residents. You will help maintain kitchen cleanliness and ensure meals are served safely and on time.

You will follow Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, and COSHH regulations, respond to residents' needs with empathy, and work as part of a team under time pressures. Basic Food Hygiene certificate or willingness to undertake it is required.

Qualifications

• Must have or willing to undertake Basic Food Hygiene certification.
• Experience with safe food handling and COSHH practices is preferred.
• Able to work in a care-home environment with compassionate service.
• Good communication and teamwork are essential.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and serving meals safely and accurately.
• Adhering to Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, and COSHH regulations.
• Maintaining high kitchen cleanliness and reporting faults.
• Responding sensitively to residents' needs and feedback.
• Working as part of a team under time pressures and meeting service deadlines.

Skills

Food safety

Customer service

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Basic Food Hygiene certificate

NVQ Level 2 (desirable)

Job description

We are seeking a compassionate and reliable Food Services Assistant to support the preparation and service of meals and beverages for our residents. The role includes maintaining high standards of kitchen cleanliness and equipment hygiene, while delivering prompt, courteous, and person-centred service to our residents at all times.

What you'll do

Preparing and serving meals safely and accurately - supporting food preparation, serving correct portions at set times, and ensuring food is presented attractively while meeting residents' individual needs.

Strict compliance with food safety and health regulations - consistently adhering to Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, and COSHH requirements to protect residents, staff, and visitors.

Maintaining high standards of kitchen cleanliness - cleaning kitchens, equipment, crockery, and dining areas in line with cleaning schedules, and promptly reporting any equipment faults.

Responding sensitively to residents' needs - listening to residents respectfully, reporting complaints or concerns, and alerting senior staff to any issues such as difficulty eating or refusal of meals.

Working effectively as part of a team under time pressures - following instructions accurately, meeting service deadlines, supporting colleagues, and attending required training to deliver excellent customer service.

Basic Food Hygiene certificate or willingness to undertake the same.

NVQ level 2 is desirable.

Experience in a care home is desirable.

In good general health, physically and mentally fit to meet the requirements of the role.

Elizabeth Finn is a leading care provider providing exceptional care throughout our eight prestigious care homes. Our company values are Bring Love, Inspire More, Act with Purpose and Welcome All.

A warm welcome awaits at our Eversfield Home. From your first sight of its attractive stone facade and pretty, ornate entrance, you will feel right at home. Offering the highest levels of residential and nursing care provided by a team of experienced and committed staff.

In return for the wonderful contribution our employees make we offer the following benefits:

• Enhances pay for family leave
• Overtime and bank holiday enhancements to pay
• Group pension scheme
• Occupational sick pay after probation
• Wellbeing support through various initiatives including an employee assistance programme with free counselling and Mental Health First Aiders.
• Opportunity to earn rewards via Care Friends (refer a friend scheme) which you can cash in when you choose
• Free Blue Light card - provides members with thousands of amazing retail discounts
• Long service awards
• Subsidised meals while on duty
• Apprenticeships, continuous learning and development, professional development and study support opportunities

Safeguarding:

In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment Elizabeth Finn Homes implement a range of procedures and actions including Police/Enhanced DBS Checks to ensure our employees, residents and everyone is safeguarded, and abuse is prevented. This is in line with our company values, which are Bring Love, Inspire More, Act with Purpose and Welcome All.

Criminal record checks:

As this role involves a regulated activity, successful applicants will undertake an enhanced DBS check, with barred lists check, and any offer of employment will be dependent on a satisfactory outcome. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar a person from working for us, this will depend on the circumstances and background of any record.

Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging:

Elizabeth Finn strives to treat all staff equally and be a diverse and inclusive workplace, where everyone can be themselves and everyone accepts each other's differences.