Kitchen Assistant

HC One; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Milton Keynes is seeking a compassionate Kitchen Assistant to support residents by preparing and serving nutritious meals. The role requires some kitchen experience, an NVQ2 in Catering or willingness to obtain it, and a strong commitment to cleanliness and care. Join a team that values kindness and provides extensive benefits, including training and development opportunities.

Benefits

Hourly rate based on experience

Free uniform

Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG

Nutritious meal during long shifts

Company pension scheme

28 days annual leave

Colleague discounts

Wellbeing support via Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Some kitchen experience and passion for helping others.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow recipes and record information accurately.

Responsibilities

• Assist with meal preparation under the direction of the Chef or Cook.
• Serve meals warmly and respectfully.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Ability to follow recipes

Education

NVQ2 in Catering or Food Preparation

Job description

Overview

In your role as a Kitchen Assistant at HC-One, you’ll value kindness above all. It’s the thread that runs through our Dementia, Nursing, Residential, and Specialist care homes. You’ll help make a meaningful difference every day by supporting Residents as individuals with their own life experiences, families, and stories.

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications and experience

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. Most importantly, each interaction with a Resident or co-worker should demonstrate patience, respect, and genuine kindness.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. You should be able to recognise signs of possible abuse, harm, or neglect in its different forms and know what to do if concerns arise. All colleagues are required to attend safeguarding training appropriate to their role and to undertake additional training in related areas. You should be able 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 that define the HC-One Way:

• We are curious — asking questions and 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
• We are dependable — people can always count on us

We champion inclusivity and aim to create 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 the HC-One family and prioritise inclusive working practices across everything we do.

We are enhancing how we support residents through digital care planning. This technology helps us streamline care, improve outcomes, and make daily tasks more efficient. As we 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 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.

Please note: We can only consider applications from individuals who already have the full right to work in the UK. We cannot offer sponsorship or accept applications from those on a time-limited visa. Applications that do not meet this criterion will not be progressed.

Benefits

We provide full training and a wide range of benefits to support your physical and psychological wellbeing, with ongoing development opportunities. Benefits include:

• Hourly rate based on experience and qualifications
• Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG
• Free uniform
• Nutritious meal during a shift of eight hours or more
• Company pension scheme
• 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• Group life assurance cover
• Wagestream for financial wellbeing and flexible access to pay
• Awards-winning learning and development and support to achieve qualifications
• GP online service for round-the-clock consultations
• Colleague discounts on 1600+ high street offers
• Wellbeing support via Employee Assistance Programme (24/7)
• Kindness in Care recognition schemes and Long Service Awards
• Refer-a-friend scheme with rewards