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- Tasks: Assist in meal prep and create positive dining experiences for young people.
- Company: Aurora Meldreth Manor, a supportive environment for children with learning difficulties.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, career development, training, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety and good communication skills required.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to safeguarding and promoting wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 26769 - 27248 £ per year.
Location: Meldreth, near Royston, Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire border
Contract Type: Permanent, Full time
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday 08:30am to 17:00pm, 52 weeks a year
Hourly rate: £12.87 - £13.10 per hour (depending on skills/experience/qualifications)
Annual Salary: £26,769 to £27,248
Aurora Meldreth Manor/Orchard Manor provides education, care, and therapeutic support for children and young people with severe, profound, and multiple learning difficulties.
The role:
As a Catering Assistant, you will play a key role in creating a positive mealtime experience for our young people. You’ll assist with meal preparation and service, ensuring correct portioning, temperature control, and presentation standards. You’ll maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment and support inclusive, person-centred dining experiences. This is a hands-on role requiring a proactive and practical approach. The ideal candidate will have strong organisational skills, a keen eye for detail, and a genuine passion for delivering excellent service. You should be comfortable working independently when needed and able to manage tasks efficiently in a busy environment. Due to the physical nature of the role—including manual handling and long periods of standing—a good level of physical fitness is essential.
Key duties:
- Assist the Senior Cook with meal preparation, ensuring food safety and portion control.
- Maintain a hygienic kitchen environment, including cleaning equipment, surfaces, and floors.
- Receive, check, and store food deliveries in line with food safety standards.
- Ensure allergen information and labelling complies with Natasha’s Law.
- Serve food respectfully, considering individual dietary needs and preferences.
- Engage positively with young people during mealtimes, promoting independence and choice.
- Carry out and record equipment and maintenance checks.
- Respond appropriately to food-related emergencies, including allergic reactions.
- Work independently when required, demonstrating initiative and attention to detail.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of food service quality and experience.
- Duties will vary, you must expect to diversify and lend a hand wherever is required.
Skills and Qualifications
Essential:
- Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety (Catering)
- Good to advanced IT literacy, specifically in Outlook and Excel
- Working knowledge of health and safety legislation (including COSHH, manual handling, and food hygiene)
- Knowledge of Natasha’s Law
- Good literacy, numeracy, and communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritise tasks
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting wellbeing
- Positive work attitude and attention to detail
Desirable:
- First Aid Certificate (or willingness to obtain)
- Personal experience or knowledge of disability and inclusive practices
Benefits and Additional Information
What’s on offer:
- Opportunities for meaningful career development
- Fully funded training and qualifications
- Life assurance
- Enhanced pension scheme
- Perk Box - offering high street discounts
- Employee assistance programme
- Bike to work scheme
- Car lease scheme
How to Apply:
You can apply online by completing our online application form. Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children. The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.
This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.
Safeguarding Statement
Meldreth Manor School - A Scope School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
Catering Assistant in Royston employer: Aurora Meldreth Manor
Contact Detail:
Aurora Meldreth Manor Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Assistant in Royston
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Aurora Meldreth Manor and Orchard Manor to understand their values and mission. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Before your interview, rehearse common questions related to catering and working with young people. We can even help you with mock interviews to boost your confidence and ensure you shine when it counts.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you have any relevant experience or qualifications, be sure to highlight them during your conversation. Whether it's your food hygiene knowledge or your ability to engage positively with young people, let them know what you bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a simple gesture that can leave a lasting impression and keep you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Assistant in Royston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see that you genuinely care about creating positive mealtime experiences for our young people.
Be Specific About Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your relevant skills and experience, especially those related to food hygiene and safety. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their knowledge of health and safety legislation!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your responses to match the job description. Mention how your organisational skills and attention to detail make you a great fit for the Catering Assistant role.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, the best way to apply is through our website! It’s super easy and ensures your application goes directly to us. Plus, we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aurora Meldreth Manor
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards, especially Natasha’s Law. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re serious about maintaining a safe kitchen environment.
✨Show Your Passion
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for working with young people and creating positive mealtime experiences. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to inclusive practices and excellent service.
✨Demonstrate Your Skills
Be prepared to talk about your organisational skills and how you manage tasks in a busy environment. You might even want to bring examples of how you've handled similar situations in the past, showcasing your ability to work independently and efficiently.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the role or the team. This shows your interest and helps you understand how you can contribute to the continuous improvement of food service quality at the organisation.
