Kitchen Assistant

HC-One; Merthyr Tydfil; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free uniform

Pension scheme

Enhanced DBS/PVG paid

28 days annual leave

Job summary

HC-One in the United Kingdom is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to support residents in dementia, nursing, residential and specialist care homes with nourishing meals prepared and served with care.

You will follow recipes, record information accurately, maintain kitchen hygiene, safeguard residents, and learn towards NVQ2 in Catering; the role emphasizes kindness, patience and teamwork within a supportive HC-One environment.

Qualifications

• Kitchen experience or willingness to work towards NVQ2 in Catering or Food Preparation.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail are essential.
• Patience, respect and genuine kindness when interacting with Residents and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Assist with meal preparation under the direction of the Chef or Cook.
• Serve meals with warmth and respect in a timely manner.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen, including equipment and surfaces.
• Monitor and record food storage temperatures (fridges, freezers, etc.).
• Support stock rotation and proper storage of ingredients.
• Show new team members how to safely use kitchen equipment.
• Wash up and keep the kitchen spotless, even after busy periods.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Patience and compassion

Education

NVQ2 in Catering or Food Preparation

Job description

About The Role

In your role as a Kitchen Assistant at HC-One, you’ll value one thing above all: kindness. It’s the thread that runs through everything we do in our Dementia, Nursing, Residential, and Specialist care homes. Every person who works with us understands that our Residents are individuals with their own life experiences, families, and stories. By joining HC-One, you’ll have the chance to make a meaningful difference every day — giving something back to those who have given so much throughout their lives.

Responsibilities

As a Kitchen Assistant, you’ll play an essential role in delivering high-quality care through food. You’ll help prepare and serve nutritious, well-balanced meals that support the health and wellbeing of our Residents — many of whom have specific dietary needs. Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with meal preparation under the direction of the Chef or Cook
• Serving meals with warmth and respect in a timely and friendly manner
• Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen, including equipment and surfaces
• Monitoring and recording food storage temperatures (fridges, freezers, etc.)
• Supporting stock rotation and ensuring ingredients are properly stored
• Showing new team members how to safely use kitchen equipment
• Washing up and ensuring the kitchen remains spotless — even after a busy lunch rush

Everything you do will reflect your care for the Residents, always keeping their comfort and dignity front of mind.

We’re looking for someone with some kitchen experience and a real passion for helping others. You’ll need either an NVQ2 in Catering or Food Preparation or a willingness to work towards it. Strong organisational skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to follow recipes and record information accurately are essential. And most importantly, every time you interact with a Resident or co-worker, you’ll show patience, respect, and genuine kindness.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and therefore it is important that you are able to recognise the signs which may indicate possible abuse, harm or neglect in its different forms and know what to do if there are any concerns. All colleagues are required to attend safeguarding training appropriate to their role and to undertake additional training in associated areas. You also have the ability to seek appropriate advice and report concerns, including escalation if action is not taken.

About HC-One

At HC-One, kindness is more than a word—it’s a way of life. We believe that caring for people means caring about what matters most to them, so we can support them to live their best possible lives.

To Provide The Kindest Possible Care, Everyone At HC-One Brings And Nurtures Five Key Qualities—what We Call Kindness The HC-One Way

• We are curious—asking questions, seeking to understand.
• We are compassionate—walking in the shoes of others.
• We are creative—finding practical ways to make things happen.
• We are courageous—supporting residents to live the life they choose.
• And we are dependable—people can always count on us.

We champion inclusivity, fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves. Our diverse workforce helps us learn from one another and better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds into our HC-One family and prioritise inclusive working practices across everything we do.

We are also enhancing the way we support residents through digital care planning. This technology is helping us streamline care, improve outcomes, and make daily tasks more efficient. As we continue to grow our digital capabilities, we’re looking for team members who are comfortable with technology—or open to learning. You\'ll be supported every step of the way.

We care about our colleagues and are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. From the moment you receive a job offer, we aim for the quickest possible turnaround to get you started, with full support every step of the way. With clear career pathways, continuous professional development, and postgraduate programmes, HC-One will invest in your growth—opening up opportunities at regional and national levels.

Benefits

• Hourly rate is subject to experience and qualifications.
• Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG
• Free uniform
• During a shift of eight hours or more a nutritious meal will be available
• Company pension scheme
• 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• Group life assurance cover
• Wagestream - financial wellbeing and flexible access to pay as you need it
• Award-winning learning and development and support to achieve qualifications.
• GP online - a service providing around the clock GP consultation via an interactive app - available to you and your children under 16
• An opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues as part of an outstanding and committed team.
• Colleague discounts – Access to over 1600 high street discounts including carefully selected discount partners.
• Wellbeing - free of charge access to an independent and confidential Employee Assistance Programme. This gives Colleagues and their family access to 24/7 365 support for a whole range of issues including physical, mental and financial issues
• Excellent recognition schemes such as ‘Kindness in Care’ and Long Service Awards
• An attractive refer a friend scheme of up to £1000 per referral, depending on the role

About You

About The Company