Support Services Assistant - Cleaning, Catering & Portering

NHS; Poole; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Poole is looking for a Support Services Assistant to assist in cleaning, catering, and portering duties in a friendly hospital environment. This part-time role involves 15 hours per week on weekends, offering flexible shift patterns and additional pay for weekend work. Candidates must have a full UK driving license and will receive comprehensive training and uniform. A DBS check will be required.

Benefits

Generous annual leave allowance

Complex training and support

Additional earnings for extra weekend hours

Qualifications

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English for full duties.
• Previous experience in a similar role is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform cleaning and catering duties to NHS standards.
• Receive and unload deliveries as a porter.
• Support catering service in the hospital kitchen.

Skills

Communication Skills

Workload Prioritization

Basic IT Skills

Education

Level 2 in Basic Food Hygiene Certificate or working towards

Level 2 in Housekeeping or working towards

Job description

Go back Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Support Services Assistant - Cleaning, Catering & Portering

The closing date is 09 December 2025

We are hoping to recruit a member of staff to join our Facilities Team at St Ann's Hospital.

This Housekeeping/catering multiskilled role is working in a friendly hospital environment, helping with cleaning and catering duties within the hospital.

This is a Part time role of 15.00 hours per week Saturday -Sunday 7.5 hours per day between 07.00 to 15.00 each day depending on shift

There may be a need to change this pattern to work flexibly within the team to cover the needs of the service. Additional hours are usually available to cover annual leave and sickness absence.

Any additional hours where they are worked at weekend attracts additional enhanced levels of pay and you will receive a generous annual leave allowance.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Please ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

Main duties of the job

Porter duties - Receiving deliveries and supporting in unloading deliveries such as stores, linen and catering deliveries.

Cleaning - duties across the site, working to NHS cleaning standards, as the cleaning rota requires. - weekly duties supporting the delivery of items throughout the site

Catering - all onsite training will be provided, experience preferred but not essential. Supporting our catering service within the main hospital kitchen.

A full UK driving license is essential for this role as you will be required to use the hospital vehicle to deliver meals to a nearby site.

For all duties, full training, support and uniform will be provided, shadowing current experienced staff to enable the successful candidate to become confident in their role.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [e-mail]

Recommend a friend or family member and earn cash!

Do you have a friend or family member you would recommend to join us? Or do you know someone who wants to return to practice in the NHS? If the person you refer is appointed by the Trust and completes their probationary period you will receive £500 reward payment for the introduction! Please contact the recruitment team if you require further info!

Person Specification

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.

Experience

• Previous experience in a similar role

IT Skills

• Basic IT skills

BUSINESS TRAVEL

• Non-essential car users who may exceptionally be required to travel on Trust business where such journeys could also be reasonably be made by public transport.

Knowledge Skills & Training

• Good Communication Skills
• Able to prioritise workload
• Level 2 in Basic Food Hygiene Certificate or working towards
• Level 2 in Housekeeping or working towards

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 name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust