Kitchen Assistant

Orchard Care Homes; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression

Staff discounts

Recognition schemes

EAP helpline

Pension scheme

DBS check

Job summary

Orchard Care Homes is seeking a Kitchen Assistant for bank shifts at the Lofthouse Grange & Lodge Care Home in Wakefield. You will help prepare meals, support personalised menus, and ensure residents receive nutritious, respectful care in a warm, home-like environment.

We offer development opportunities, a supportive team, and a commitment to staff wellbeing with flexible shift patterns across our care homes.

Qualifications

• Kitchen/Kitchen Assistant experience, preferably in a care setting.
• Ability to engage with residents and support nutritional needs.
• Willingness to provide compassionate, respectful care.

Responsibilities

• Prepare meals to suit individual preferences and dietary requirements.
• Support delivery of personalised menu plans with dignity and privacy.
• Contribute to a positive dining experience for residents.
• Collaborate with the team to maintain kitchen cleanliness and safety.
• Participate in training and development opportunities within the homes.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Care home experience

Resident engagement

Tools

DBS check

Job description

Kitchen Assistant

It's true what they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home. At Orchard Care Homes, our kitchens are no different. They are at the centre of all our homes and provide delicious, and nutritious home cooked meals for everyone.

Brief Description

Extraordinary People, Exceptional Care

Kitchen Assistant

It's true what they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home. At Orchard Care Homes, our kitchens are no different. They are at the centre of all our homes and provide delicious, and nutritious home cooked meals for everyone.

Location

Lofthouse Grange & Lodge Care Home - 340 Leeds Road, Lofthouse, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF3 3QQ

Kitchen Assistant – Bank shifts

Rates of Pay: £12.71 per hour

Why Orchard?

We don't just want to be the provider of choice; we want to be the employer of choice. Here at Orchard Care Homes our foundations are built on 6 core values; Enjoy Life, Welcoming, Kind, Professional, Positive and Respectful.

What You'll Be Doing

A quality kitchen experience has positive benefits on the physical and mental wellbeing of our residents and you will help deliver personalised menu plans that ensures everyone is treated with dignity and that individual's rights to privacy, independence and choice are met.

At Orchard Care Homes we believe in the continued learning and development of our support teams and a career with us offers you an opportunity to broaden your skills and knowledge. Your professional development will be actively encouraged, and exciting opportunities will emerge to progress your career further within the company.

• You will have what it takes to nurture, encourage and care. Making a meaningful contribution to someone's life is fulfilling, demanding, requires flexibility, professionalism and skills.
• You will help our residents enjoy every day by making sure they receive the quality nutritional experiences they deserve.
• You will assist in the preparation of a range of meals to suit individual tastes and requirements, you will demonstrate a caring nature towards others.
• You will have Cook/Kitchen Assistant experience preferably gained in a care home setting.
• Engaging with residents in a friendly and kind manner, ensuring their dietary preferences and needs are met, and creating a positive dining experience for everyone.

Everything You’ll Love

• Career development from day one, with clear progression pathways
• Hundreds of colleague discounts every month across shopping, holidays, dining, tech, and more
• Excellent employee recognition schemes such as 'Making a Difference' award and Long Service Awards
• Free emotional, practical, and financial support that's fully confidential, through an Employee Assistance Programme helpline and wellbeing app that's available 24/7, all year round
• Company-supported pension scheme to invest in your future
• Fully funded DBS check

About Orchard Care Homes

Located with easy links to Leeds and Wakefield, Lofthouse Grange & Lodge is a modern home specialising in the care of older people, with the Grange providing 24hr residential care for 31 residents, and the Lodge providing additional round the clock dementia care to 57 residents.

Orchard Care Homes has been providing care for older people for over 15 years. We are committed to being at the heart of the local community and delivering the same level of care that we would all wish for our loved ones.

We believe in investing in our people. Your professional development will be actively encouraged, with plenty of training and progression opportunities across our portfolio of homes.

We proudly support the Armed Forces community and welcome applications from veterans, reservists, and military spouses as part of our commitment to the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We value the unique skills and experiences that service personnel bring and are dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.