Kitchen/ Catering Assistant

NHS; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 13,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Harrogate is seeking a passionate Kitchen Assistant to deliver outstanding care. You will work part-time (22 hours/week) at Cygnet Hospital Harrogate, preparing appetising meals and maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen. Prior experience in catering and a food hygiene certificate are essential. This role offers excellent career progression opportunities in a supportive environment where you can make a real difference to lives. Apply to join a reputable team and enjoy attractive perks.

Benefits

Strong career progression opportunities

Chef apprenticeship and training

Employee discount savings

Qualifications

• Experience in catering, preferably within a care setting.
• Holder of a food hygiene certificate with good personal hygiene standards.
• Enthusiastic, keen to learn & an active team member.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of balanced, appetising meals.
• Perform cooking tasks & other kitchen duties.
• Ensure the cleanliness of the kitchen, service areas & dining room.
• Wash utensils, dishes & make sure they are stored appropriately.

Skills

Catering experience

Food hygiene certification

Team collaboration

Excellent communication

Job description

Job Summary

We are looking for a confident Kitchen Assistant with a passion for delivering outstanding care. You’ll be working 22 hours a week, making a positive difference to the lives of the people in our care at Cygnet Hospital Harrogate.

Main duties of the job

At Cygnet, we support our people to grow their careers, gain new skills and keep stepping up. Apply now to enjoy excellent career prospects while reaping the rewards of making a difference to others every day.

About us

Cygnet Health Care was established in 1988. Since then we have developed a wide range of services for individuals with mental health needs, autism and learning disabilities within the UK. We have built a reputation for delivering pioneering services and outstanding outcomes for the people in our care. Our expert and highly dedicated care team of 10 000 employees empower 2 864 individuals across 150 services to consistently make a positive difference to their lives, through service‑user focused care and rehabilitation.

Details

Date posted: 12 December 2025

Pay scheme: Other

Salary: £26,208 to £26,208 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part‑time

Reference number: VP401CD467

Job locations: Harrogate – HG1 2JL

Job Description

Helping others improve and turn their lives around there’s no better feeling. It’s what we do for thousands of people at more than 150 sites across the UK. Be a part of it.

We are looking for an outstanding Kitchen Assistant who’s passionate about food and wants to make a difference.

You’ll be working part time, 22 hours a week at Cygnet Hospital Harrogate, creating an excellent experience for the people in our care.

This is a long‑established mental health hospital that provides an emergency admissions service across two acute wards. The service has a full multidisciplinary team (MDT) including consultant psychiatrists, doctors, a therapy team including group and activities coordinators and nursing therapists. There are a range of therapies available and all service users can access a minimum of 25 hours therapy a week. There is a comprehensive programme of both group and individual therapies.

Our team works closely and collaboratively with service users, their families and the referrer to provide a seamless pathway from referral to discharge.

At Cygnet, our perks go way beyond pension schemes and excellent professional development.

You’ll also enjoy shopping, travel and leisure discounts as well as a range of healthcare and financial benefits to support you to be happy both in and out of work.

With us, you’ll have the chance to progress your career in a vibrant, supportive culture tailored to help you thrive.

Apply now to enjoy excellent career prospects while being part of an organisation that cares about helping people.

Your day-to-day…

• Assist in the preparation of balanced, appetising meals
• Perform cooking tasks & other kitchen duties
• Ensure the cleanliness of the kitchen, service areas & dining room
• Wash utensils, dishes & make sure they are stored appropriately
• Rotate stock & put away all deliveries
• Maintain personal hygiene to comply with Cygnet standards and food hygiene regulations
• Handle, maintain & store kitchen equipment in accordance with Cygnet procedures
• Use chemicals in line with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations

Why Cygnet? We offer you Start pay £12.60 per hour

• Strong career progression opportunities
• The opportunity for chef apprenticeship and training
• Expert supervision & support
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme & employee discount savings

You are…

• Experienced in catering, preferably within a care setting
• The holder of a food hygiene certificate, with good personal hygiene standards
• Enthusiastic, keen to learn & an active team member
• Polite & professional, with a positive attitude at all times
• An excellent communicator able to liaise with people at all levels
• Diligent & take pride in maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness
• Able to work on your own initiative, as part of a team & under supervision

Successful candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

Cygnet has been providing a national network of high‑quality specialist mental health services for more than 30 years. In this role you’ll have the chance to make a real impact on patients, service users & their families.

What next?

If you care about making a difference we want to talk to you.

Click the button to apply

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name: Cygnet Health Care

Address: Harrogate – HG1 2JL

Employer’s website: https://www.cygnethealth.co.uk/