Kitchen Assistant

Highgate Care Services Ltd; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Friendly workplace

Training & progression

Meaningful impact

Close-knit team

Job summary

Highgate Care Services Ltd in Darlington is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to support meal preparation and service for residents at The Lawns. This role is permanent, full-time at 30 hours per week, with an hourly rate of £12.71.

Join a caring team that values kindness and resident dignity, and contribute to maintaining high hygiene standards and a respectful dining experience for residents.

Qualifications

• Experience in care setting is a bonus but not required.
• Understanding of food safety standards (HACCP, COSHH).
• Willingness to participate in meetings and training.

Responsibilities

• As the Kitchen Assistant, assist the Cook with preparation of varied, nutritious meals.
• Help with serving meals and respect dietary requirements, ensuring dignity and choice.
• Adhere to statutory requirements such as HACCP, Health & Safety, COSHH and Environmental Health.
• Clean and tidy all kitchen areas following schedules to maintain high cleanliness.
• Ensure kitchen equipment is safe and report faults promptly.
• Receive and store new stock, rotate stock to keep freshness.
• Be an integral part of the team and participate in meetings and training.

Skills

Warm personality

Organised

Team player

Positive attitude

Planning

Job description

Job Description: Kitchen Assistant

Location:The Lawns, Risdale Street Darlington

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time 30hrs per week

Salary: £12.71

Sponsorship: Not currently available

Join Highgate Care - Where Kindness Is Key

At Highgate Care, kindness isn’t just something we talk about, it’s the foundation of everything we do. As a small and compassionate care group, we pride ourselves on offering truly person-centred care, where every resident is valued, supported, and able to thrive. We believe in celebrating individuality, promoting dignity and above all, living by our core value: Kindness Is Key.

We’re currently looking for a Kitchen Assistant to join the team at The Lawns in Darlington.

What You’ll Be Doing

As our Kitchen Assistant, you’ll play a vital role in enriching the lives of residents by:

• To assist the Cook with the preparation of varied, nutritious meals for the residents.
• Help with the serving of meals for residents, be understanding of any specific food requirements and ensure everyone is treated with respect, dignity and given choice.
• To understand and comply with statutory and legal requirements such as HACCP, Health & Safety, COSHH, Environmental Health, to maintain a safe environment throughout the home.
• To clean and tidy all areas of the kitchen with the correct products following instruction and guidance contained in the cleaning schedules ensuring the Care Home is always cleaned to the highest standards.
• Ensure that all kitchen equipment is in full, safe working order, immediately report any faults to the Cook and the Caretaker.
• To receive and unload new stock, store appropriately and rotate current stock correctly to maintain optimum freshness of all foodstuff.
• To work as an integral part of the team, contribute to meetings and training sessions as required ensuring that the Care Home is a friendly and supportive working environment.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who is:

• Warm, approachable, and brimming with positivity
• Organised, reliable, and confident in planning.
• Creative, enthusiastic, and able to motivate others
• Passionate about improving the lives of older people
• Willing to participate in Staff and Resident meetings as and when required
• Previous experience in a care setting is a bonus, but we’re just as interested in your personality and values

What We Offer

Working at Highgate Care means being part of something special. You’ll enjoy:

• A friendly, supportive, and welcoming workplace
• Real opportunities for ongoing training and career progression
• A chance to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives every day
• A valued role within a close-knit team that cares as much about each other as we do our residents

INDREC