Kitchen Assistant

BALANCE (SUPPORT) CIO; Tooting; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

London living wage

Pension scheme

25 days annual leave (pro-rated)

Discount schemes

Employee assistance programme

Travel card loan

Bike-to-work scheme

Job summary

Balance Support in London is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to support the day centre in providing nutritious, safe meals for adults with learning disabilities, promoting wellbeing, dignity and inclusion. The role operates on-site in Tooting and involves helping service users participate in food-related activities while upholding the charity’s values.

The successful candidate will have experience in food hygiene and meal preparation for groups, with training provided.

Qualifications

• Experience in Food Hygiene and preparing meals for multiple individuals.
• Knowledge of dysphagia meals and texture guidelines.
• Ability to work on-site at a day centre.

Responsibilities

• Prepare simple, healthy meals and snacks in line with dietary needs and individual plans.
• Prepare dysphagia meals following texture guidelines.
• Support safe food service at mealtimes and serve lunches.
• Follow portion guidelines, hydration routines and nutritional standards.
• Maintain a clean, safe kitchen in line with HACCP guidelines.
• Ensure kitchen ready for next-day use and complete daily/weekly cleaning checks.

Skills

Food Hygiene

Meal Preparation

Job description

Vacancy at Balance Support

Kitchen Assistant

Salary£ 21,164

Wandsworth Day centre Tooting South London (On-site)

Details

• You are someone who shares and is able to mobilise the charity's values of Independence, Empowerment, Partnership, Professionalism, Staff Recognition and Sustainability. If you have knowledge, application, and commitment to these values, we want to hear from you.
• You must have experience in Food Hygiene and preparing meals for multiple individuals

At Balance, we are committed to empowering those we support to build independence, fulfilled, and self-confident lives. We work hard to ensure our charitable values are central to the professional experience of those who work for us, with us, and who benefit from our services.

To support the day centre in providing nutritious, safe, and enjoyable meals for adults with learning disabilities, promoting wellbeing, dignity, choice, and inclusion. The Kitchen Assistant will work in a person‑centred way, supporting service users to participate in food‑related activities where appropriate, and ensuring the kitchen environment reflects the organisation’s values of respect, empowerment, and safety. The Kitchen Assistant will support the safe preparation and service of at the day centre. Thereby meeting the needs of service users, including those with dysphagia.

1. Food Preparation & Support

• Support in preparing simple, healthy meals and snacks in line with dietary needs, allergies, cultural preferences, and individual care and support plans.
• Prepare dysphagia meals in line with texture guidelines
• Support safe food service at mealtimes, promoting independence and dignity. Serve catered Lunches to service users not on a dysphagia diet
• Follow portion guidelines, hydration routines, and nutritional standards. Always follow swallowing practices
• Maintain a clean, safe kitchen environment in line with food hygiene regulations (including HACCP, Food Standards Agency guidelines).
• Ensure the kitchen is ready for next-day use.
• Complete weekly deep cleaning, including Oven, microwave, and Cabinets
• Wash dishes, sanitise surfaces, and ensure equipment is maintained and stored safely.
• Complete daily cleaning checklists and follow infection‑control procedures.
• Complete daily fridge and freezer temperature checks.
• Carry out daily checks for expired food.

• The working day is 9.30 - 3.00 pm, Monday to Friday. The current rate reflects the additional hours
• Attendance at training.
• Use of information technology to support your work.

Benefits

A baseline commitment to pay London living wage for all its front line staff.
A commitment to training and professional development to support internal progression as part of our performance support.
Inclusion in and contribution to the charity's pension scheme.
A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days pro-rated, plus an additional day off for your birthday.
Access to a range of discount schemes.
Access to the charity's employee assistance programme.
Access to a travel card loan and bike-to-work scheme.

Notes

Please note that we do not accept applications from Overseas