Kitchen Assistant

Cygnet Group; Dundee; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 22,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Employee discount savings

Job summary

Cygnet Wallace Hospital in Dundee is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to support meal preparation and kitchen duties. The role is 30 hours per week, working from 8am to 6pm, on a temporary maternity cover from October 2026 to May 2027.

Join a specialist team at an 18-bed unit, with duties including meal prep, cleanliness, stock rotation and COSHH-compliant chemical use. Cygnet offers benefits and career progression within a supportive culture.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering, preferably within a care setting.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Proven food hygiene practices and standards.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of balanced, appetising meals.
• Perform cooking tasks and other kitchen duties.
• Ensure the cleanliness of the kitchen, service areas and dining room.
• Wash utensils, dishes and store them appropriately.
• Rotate stock and put away deliveries.
• Maintain personal hygiene to comply with standards and regulations.
• Handle, maintain and store kitchen equipment per procedures.
• Use chemicals in line with COSHH regulations.

Skills

Catering experience

Team player

Excellent communicator

Education

Food hygiene certificate

Job description

Helping others improve and turn their lives around - there's no better feeling. It's what we do for thousands of people at more than 150 sites across the UK. Be a part of it.

We are looking for an outstanding Kitchen Assistant who's passionate about food and wants to make a difference.

You’ll be working 30 hours a week (working from 8am to 6pm) at Cygnet Wallace Hospital, creating an excellent experience for the people in our care.

Please Note this is a temporary contract to cover maternity leave from October 2026 to May 2027.

Situated in a residential area of Dundee, Cygnet Wallace Hospital is an 18 bed specialist high dependency complex care service providing assessment and treatment for individuals with learning disabilities, with or without autistic spectrum disorder, as well as complex needs and behaviours.

The team can also support those who have additional mental or physical health needs, as well as those who have been detained under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act. We accept emergency referrals and the team are experienced in managing them quickly and efficiently, to ensure smooth transitions.

At Cygnet, our perks go way beyond pension schemes and excellent professional development.

You’ll also enjoy shopping, travel and leisure discounts - as well as a range of healthcare and financial benefits - to support you to be happy both in and out of work.

With us, you’ll have the chance to progress your career in a vibrant, supportive culture tailored to help you thrive.

Your day-to-day...

• Assist in the preparation of balanced, appetising meals
• Perform cooking tasks & other kitchen duties
• Ensure the cleanliness of the kitchen, service areas & dining room
• Wash utensils, dishes & make sure they are stored appropriately
• Rotate stock & put away all deliveries
• Maintain personal hygiene to comply with Cygnet standards and food hygiene regulations
• Handle, maintain & store kitchen equipment in accordance with Cygnet procedures
• Use chemicals in line with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations

Why Cygnet? We'll offer you £13.45 per/hour starting

• Strong career progression opportunities
• Expert supervision & support
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme & employee discount savings

You are...

• Experienced in catering, preferably within a care setting
• The holder of a food hygiene certificate, with good personal hygiene standards
• Enthusiastic, keen to learn & an active team member
• Polite & professional, with a positive attitude at all times
• An excellent communicator able to liaise with people at all levels
• Diligent & take pride in maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness
• Able to work on your own initiative, as part of a team & under supervision

Successful candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced PVG check.

Cygnet has been providing a national network of high-quality specialist mental

What next?

If you care about making a difference - we want to talk to you.