Kitchen Assistant

Are you an experienced Kitchen Assistant? Have you worked in an environment similar to a Hospice? Are you able to work weekends? If yes, then we would like to hear from you!

At Rainbows Hospice we provide specialist end-of-life, palliative and respite care to babies, children, and young people with conditions for which there is no cure. Since 1994 we have opened our doors and hearts to babies, children, and young people as well as the people who love them most.

The state-of-the-art facilities at Lark Rise allow babies, children and young people with pain and physical difficulties to have opportunities that we take for granted; from socialising, taking a bath, being in a swimming pool, or playing on the swings. We’re a lifeline for families, providing care, support, and respite breaks 24/7, 365 days a year.

We are currently seeking a Kitchen Assistant to join our dedicated Catering Team to support in preparing, cooking, and serving delicious and wholesome meals to our Babies, Children, Young People, Families, staff members, volunteers, and guests. It is essential for the Kitchen Assistant to work weekends as part of this role.

We are open to considering this role as either a full-time position or as a part-time job share, we can be flexible on days and hours worked however, weekends are required to be covered every week.

Possible working patterns are listed below:

1. Full-time, working 37.5 hours every Saturday and Sunday, weekdays of your choosing.
2. Part-time as a job share, working 18.75 hours a 3 on 4 off rota pattern, jointly covering weekends.
3. Part-time, working 18 hours Saturday and Sunday only.

We can be flexible for the right candidate(s) and open to suggestions of alternative working rotas. Please indicate on the application form what hours of work you would prefer.

About the role

The post holder is responsible for assisting in the preparation and distribution of high-quality food to Babies, Children and Young People, staff and visitors to the Hospice whilst helping to maintain high standards of personal and food hygiene at all times.

Some of the key responsibilities include (but not limited to):

• To assist the catering manager/chef with food preparation as requested and keep the kitchen tidy.
• There may be some basic cooking involved.
• To assist the catering manager/chef in properly labelling, covering, and storing unused food after each meal and ensure that all food items stored in the coolers and freezer are covered and stored in the correct area.
• To wash up all catering equipment and perform other cleaning duties as required.
• To assist in the preparation and cleaning of the dining area, including movement of furniture as appropriate
• Further responsibilities in the role of a Kitchen Assistant at Rainbows, can be found by downloading the Job Description.

Requirements

It is essential that you have experience working in a similar role within catering and have a basic knowledge of food hygiene and food safety regulations. It would be desirable for you to have experience working in a similar setting such like, another Hospice, Hospital, or Care Home.

This role would require you to be a team player, have good communication skills and treat all Babies, Children, Young People and Families with dignity, respect and understanding. This role will also require you to stand for long periods of time and be able to work unsocial hours.

Further requirements can be found by downloading the Person Specification.

Our Benefits include:

• Free onsite parking at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.
• Eligibility to join blue light card discount scheme.
• Bupa Cashback plan.
• Life Assurance.
• 27 days holiday.
• Plus bank holiday allowance but expectation to work bank holidays in this role.
• Free access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to occupational health.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Affordable meals at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.

For further information about this role and the responsibilities please Contact Lisa Stout, Catering Manager, on lisa.stout@rainbows.co.uk

To apply for the role please follow the link here and complete an online application form. If you require an alternative method of applying or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments further, please contact the people team at recruitment@rainbows.co.uk
This role is subject to an Enhanced/Basic DBS (Disclosure and barring Service Check) and pre-employment checks.