Catering Assistant TLNT1_NI in Londonderry

About Easteden

At Easteden, we are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care and support within environments that are welcoming, compassionate and empowering. We believe every individual deserves to feel valued, respected and safe, and we strive to promote dignity, wellbeing, independence and meaningful outcomes and positive experiences for the individuals and communities we support. As a growing and values-led organisation, Easteden operates a diverse range of care homes and services, including Owen Mor Care Centre, Mullaghcarn Care Centre, Granard Residential House and Slieve Na Mon Care Centre, alongside our wider support functions and operations. We are continually strengthening our people, services and systems as we help positively shape the future of care. Across our organisation, we foster a culture built on collaboration, professionalism, compassion and continuous improvement, where colleagues are encouraged to contribute, develop and thrive. We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive, professional and people-focused, where diversity, inclusion and respect are valued, and talented individuals can build meaningful careers while making a genuine difference to the lives of others.

Role Summary

To support the delivery of high-quality catering and dining services within the Home, contributing to a safe, welcoming and person-centred dining experience for residents, visitors and colleagues. The Catering Assistant plays an important role in supporting resident wellbeing, dignity, nutrition, hydration and positive daily experiences through the preparation, presentation and service of meals, refreshments and hospitality services in accordance with organisational policies, food safety standards and regulatory requirements. The role works collaboratively with catering, care, nursing and wider teams to support safe and effective day-to-day operations across the Home. The role may involve supporting residents living with dementia, mental health conditions, behavioural support needs or complex care requirements depending on the service environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the preparation, presentation and service of meals, snacks, beverages and refreshments in accordance with organisational procedures and food safety standards.
• Support a positive dining experience that promotes resident wellbeing, dignity, choice and enjoyment.
• Assist in preparing and serving meals appropriate to individual dietary requirements, preferences and texture modified diets where required.
• Support the preparation and service of fortified meals, specialist dietary requirements and hydration support where appropriately trained.
• Support residents respectfully and sensitively during meal times and dining experiences where appropriate.
• Support timely meal service and catering operations in accordance with resident needs and organisational schedules.
• Ensure dining areas, kitchen spaces and food preparation areas are maintained to high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and presentation.
• Assist with kitchen cleaning duties, stock rotation, food storage and waste management procedures.
• Promote positive relationships with residents, families, visitors and colleagues.
• Contribute to maintaining a welcoming, inclusive and respectful dining environment for residents and visitors.
• Support special occasions, themed events and wellbeing initiatives through the preparation and service of catering and refreshments where required.

Communication & Collaborative Working

• Work collaboratively with catering, care, nursing, housekeeping and wider organisational teams to support effective service delivery.
• Communicate professionally and respectfully with residents, families, visitors and colleagues.
• Escalate concerns, incidents, accidents, equipment faults or safeguarding matters appropriately and without delay.
• Share relevant information appropriately to support resident wellbeing, dietary requirements and operational effectiveness.
• Share relevant dietary, nutrition or hydration concerns appropriately with catering, care or nursing colleagues.
• Contribute positively to a supportive, collaborative and team-focused working environment.

Governance, Compliance & Professional Standards

• Maintain resident dignity, privacy, confidentiality and respect at all times.
• Adhere to all Easteden policies, procedures and professional standards, including safeguarding, food hygiene, infection prevention and control, COSHH, health and safety and GDPR requirements.
• Support effective stock rotation, storage procedures and waste management processes in accordance with food safety requirements.
• Follow safe working practices and use catering equipment, chemicals and materials appropriately in accordance with training and organisational procedures.
• Ensure food preparation, storage and service practices comply with food safety legislation and organisational requirements.
• Maintain high standards of kitchen hygiene, cleanliness and environmental safety throughout catering areas.
• Report equipment, maintenance, environmental or safety concerns appropriately.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation where required.
• Participate in kitchen deep-cleaning schedules and environmental hygiene procedures where required.
• Promote a culture of safeguarding, dignity, accountability and continuous improvement within the Home.
• Ensure compliance with relevant RQIA and organisational standards where applicable.
• Adhere to safeguarding, emergency procedures, fire safety requirements and organisational health and safety processes at all times, escalating concerns appropriately and without delay.

Professional Development & Continuous Improvement

• Participate fully in induction, mandatory training, supervision and professional development activities.
• Demonstrate willingness to undertake training relevant to catering services, food hygiene, infection prevention, COSHH and health and safety.
• Maintain awareness of current good practice and organisational procedures relevant to the role.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, reflective practice and ongoing development of knowledge and skills.
• Contribute positively to service improvement and quality initiatives within the Home.

Values & Behaviours

• Demonstrate compassion, professionalism, integrity and respect in all interactions.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights in all aspects of service delivery.
• Demonstrate a proactive, respectful and solution-focused approach to teamwork and service delivery.
• Recognise personal limitations and seek guidance or support appropriately when required.
• Contribute positively to Easteden's culture of collaboration, accountability and person-centred care.

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend meetings, training sessions and organisational events as required.
• Support wider catering, hospitality or operational functions where reasonably required within the scope of the role.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably requested in line with the scope, responsibility and seniority of the role.

The Requirements

Essential Criteria

• GCSE Grade C or above in English and Maths (or equivalent qualification) OR Demonstrable literacy, numeracy and communication skills appropriate to the role.
• Willingness to participate in mandatory training and ongoing professional development.
• Experience within a catering, kitchen, hospitality, care or customer service environment; OR Demonstrable understanding of food hygiene, resident wellbeing and person-centred support through employment, voluntary work or lived experience.
• Understanding of the importance of food hygiene, nutrition, hydration, dignity and resident wellbeing within a care environment.
• Understanding of the nutritional, wellbeing and hydration needs of older people within a care environment.

Service Delivery & Engagement

• Ability to support high standards of catering, food hygiene, dining presentation and safe working practices.
• Ability to support a welcoming, respectful and person-centred dining experience for residents and visitors.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English with residents, families, colleagues and external professionals in order to support safe and compassionate service delivery.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage professionally and respectfully with residents, visitors and colleagues.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy, professionalism, reliability and teamwork within a care environment.

Team Working & Personal Attributes

• Positive, flexible and professional approach with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Ability to respond appropriately to changing priorities and seek guidance or support where required.

Governance, Safety & Professional Standards

• Understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding, food hygiene, infection prevention and control, COSHH, health and safety and professional boundaries.
• Commitment to safe working practices and compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Commitment to participating fully in mandatory training, compliance requirements and continuing professional development.

IT & Administration

• Basic organisational and communication skills appropriate to the role.

Other Requirements

• Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings, weekends and public holidays where required.
• Ability to undertake duties associated with catering and hospitality support within a care environment.
• Satisfactory AccessNI clearance at the level required for the role and in accordance with organisational and regulatory requirements.

Desirable Criteria

• Food Hygiene, Catering or COSHH-related training/certification.
• Experience working within a healthcare, care or regulated environment.
• Experience supporting texture modified diets, special dietary requirements or hydration support within a care setting.
• Experience communicating within multidisciplinary or customer-facing environments.
• Aware of RQIA standards and governance requirements within regulated care services.
• Experience maintaining catering records, food temperature records or stock documentation.
• Full clean driving licence.

The above outlines the primary experience, skills and competencies required for the role. We recognise that individuals may join Easteden with different levels of experience and expertise and we are committed to supporting continuous learning, development and career growth. The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop these competencies over time in line with both personal development goals and the evolving needs of the organisation.