Relief Kitchen Assistant

Central Bedfordshire Council; Sandy; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Older People’s Services is hiring a Kitchen Assistant to help deliver welcoming dining environments and quality meals for residents. You will work with the Cook in charge on meal prep, cleanliness, and dining room duties to create comfortable mealtimes.

There is no formal qualification requirement, but a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate is encouraged. Weekend enhancements apply and staff support overall wellbeing and dignity for residents.

Qualifications

• No formal qualifications required.
• Basic understanding of food hygiene and safe working practices.
• Willingness to work towards Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Careful and supportive approach.
• Ability to work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Support the preparation of nutritious meals.
• Keep kitchen and dining areas clean and safe.
• Wash and clean equipment and utensils.
• Prepare dining areas to create a welcoming environment.
• Assist with serving meals and refreshments.
• Clear and tidy dining areas after service.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness.
• Help ensure residents have a positive mealtime experience.

Skills

Basic food hygiene knowledge

Teamwork

Customer service

Job description

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Job Family: Providing - CBG2
Salary: £25,614 per annum pro rata – with additional enhancements for weekend work.

Hourly Rate: £13.28 per hour - with additional enhancements for weekend work.
Hours: 0 Hours per week, as required by the service

Contract Type: Fixed - Relief
Closing Date: 01 November 2026 -Please note we reserve to the right to close this vacancy early if we recieve sufficent applications
Interview Date: TBC, applications reviewed and interviews arranaged accordingly

About the role:

Do you enjoy helping others and take pride in preparing welcoming dining environments and quality meals? If so, a career with Central Bedfordshire Council's Care and Support Services could be the perfect opportunity for you.

In our Older People's Services, food is about so much more than nutrition. A well-prepared meal, a welcoming dining room, and a friendly face can brighten someone's day, support their health and wellbeing, and help them maintain their dignity and independence. As a Kitchen Assistant, you will play an important part in creating these positive experiences for our residents.

Every day brings something different. The people we support have led rich and varied lives, each with their own story, personality, and individual needs. By supporting mealtimes, you'll help create moments of comfort, connection and enjoyment that truly make a difference.

Working alongside our experienced catering team, you will assist the Cook in charge with a range of kitchen and dining room duties, including:

• Supporting the preparation of nutritious meals and refreshments.
• Keeping kitchen and food preparation areas clean, safe and organised.
• Washing and cleaning kitchen equipment and utensils.
• Preparing dining areas to create a welcoming environment for residents.
• Assisting with serving meals and refreshments.
• Clearing and tidying dining areas after service.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, including wiping tables, presenting dining areas attractively, and cleaning floor areas.

Most importantly, you'll help ensure that every resident enjoys a positive mealtime experience in a safe, comfortable and caring environment.

What We're Looking For

You do not need formal qualifications to apply. We're looking for people with enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and a genuine desire to support older people.

You will need:

• A basic understanding of food hygiene and safe working practices.
• A willingness to work towards a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate if you do not already hold one.
• A caring and supportive approach.
• Pride in delivering high standards of cleanliness and customer service.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team.

You will receive guidance and support from the Cook in Charge and have opportunities to develop your knowledge of nutrition and catering within a care setting.

At Central Bedfordshire Council, we believe in being there for the people we support and for the colleagues who support them. We value every member of our team as an individual, recognising their unique strengths, experiences and contributions.

When you join our team, you'll become part of a wider community of dedicated professionals who share one goal: providing outstanding care and support to older people. If you're passionate about helping older people and want a role where your work makes a real difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.

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You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this Recruitment Pack.

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Safeguarding:

Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and contractors to share this commitment.This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records.

Your application to us is a reflection of who you are professionally and should give us an accurate and authentic picture of your skills, experiences and if applicable qualifications. Before you submit your application, we will ask you to confirm if you have used AI.

Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK. Please confirm you have right to work in the UK.

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