Mobile Catering Assistant (Peripatetic) | Burnley / Nelson / Colne

Lancashire County Council; Burnley; On-site; GBP 11,000 - 13,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage allowance

Term time only

Job summary

Lancashire County Council's School Catering Service is hiring a Mobile Catering Assistant (Peripatetic) to help prepare and serve healthy meals and ensure a safe lunchtime experience for pupils. The role is part time, 16.25 hours per week, with mileage allowance and term-time only, covering Burnley and nearby areas.

This busy, hands-on post keeps you on your feet, moving dining furniture, assisting with food preparation, serving meals, and keeping areas clean.

Qualifications

• Previous catering and food-preparation experience is essential.
• Ability to work as part of a team and take initiative.
• Good customer service and clear communication are required.

Responsibilities

• Set up dining area and move furniture for service.
• Cover for Unit Catering Supervisor in absence.
• Assist with preparation and cooking of food.
• Serve meals and drinks to pupils.
• Clear dining area and store away furniture after service.
• Clean equipment, kitchen and dining areas.
• Support the team to serve meals safely and efficiently.

Skills

Reliability

Teamwork

Customer service

Communication skills

Initiative

Education

Catering/food-preparation experience

Job description

Description

Mobile Catering Assistant (Peripatetic)

Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Good school meals depend on a reliable team. As a Peripatetic, you will help prepare and serve healthy, balanced meals and ensure pupils have a safe and positive lunchtime experience.

Lancashire County Council’s School Catering Service provides more than 60,000 meals each day across over 500 schools. You will play an important part in helping this service run smoothly.

Salary £13.45 per hour | Part time | 16.25 hours per week | Mileage allowance provided | Term Time only | Permanent, Variable hours | Burnley / Nelson & Colne areas |

About The Role

This is a busy, active and hands‑on role. You will be on your feet for much of your shift, help move dining furniture and work efficiently during the lunchtime service.

You will work closely with your colleagues, but you will also need to use your initiative and take responsibility for completing your tasks.

In return, you'll enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that the work you do has a real impact, helping children receive nutritious meals and supporting their development.

A Typical Shift Will Involve

• Setting up the dining area, including moving and arranging furniture.
• Cover kitchen units in the absence of Unit Catering Supervisor's.
• Assisting with the preparation and cooking of food.
• Serving meals and drinks to pupils.
• Clearing the dining area and putting furniture away after service.
• Cleaning equipment, kitchen areas and dining areas.
• Helping the team serve meals safely and efficiently.

We Are Looking For Someone Who

• Is reliable, dependable and ready to contribute.
• Works well as part of a team.
• Can remain calm and work efficiently during busy periods.
• Can use their own initiative when needed.
• Has good customer service and communication skills.
• Has previous catering and food-preparation experience, which is essential for this role.
• Can cover the Unit Catering Supervisor role in various kitchens during periods of absence, ensuring the smooth running of the unit when required.
• Is an essential car user

What We Offer

• Family-friendly working hours – Monday to Friday, term time only
• A supportive team environment where everyone plays their part.
• An active and practical role with no two days quite the same
• A rewarding role supporting the health and wellbeing of local children.
• Lancashire County Council also offers a range of benefits, which can be found on our website here.

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

We reserve the right to close a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications

Job Description And Person Specification

Local Government Reorganisation

The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2028.

If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council. However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2028, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation.

Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities. By joining us now, you'll play an important role in shaping the future of local government and helping to build a strong new organisation that will serve residents for years to come.