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- Tasks: Support students with complex needs during lunchtime and serve nutritious meals.
- Company: Join a compassionate team dedicated to inclusive learning.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering or working with SEND students is a plus.
- Other info: Work 20 hours a week, Monday to Friday, with potential for growth.
Salary
£11,759 per annum
Contractual hours
20
Package
Permanent
Term Time Only (39 weeks per year)
Local Government Pension Scheme
Discounted shopping
Wellbeing services
On-site nurseries
Cycle2work scheme
Excellent training and development opportunities
Job category/type
Support
Date posted
10/11/2025
Job reference
REQ
The Supported and Inclusive Learning team are looking for an enthusiastic, dedicated and compassionate Lunchtime Assistant to join their team, supporting students with profound and complex learning needs during their college day. This is a 20 hours per week post (Monday – Friday, 10am – 2pm).
Key duties include: serving precooked, nutritious meals tailored to individual dietary and sensory needs. You will be expected to have a good working knowledge of eating and drinking plans, including the understanding of chopping, pureeing, or liquidising food. You will also need to maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in food prep areas and prepare meals for students with medical dietary restrictions.
Experience in catering or working with SEND students is desirable.
We are looking for somebody with experience in food preparation or catering preferably in an educational or care setting. Somebody who has an understanding of dietary requirements and food safety standards, have a caring, patient and understanding approach, with a commitment to inclusion and supporting students with diverse needs.
If you have the ability to work independently, using your own initiative, enjoy working as part of a team, would like to be part of a supportive and inclusive environment with opportunities for training and development then we would like you to join our team.
The successful applicants will hold or be willing to work towards:
- A basic food hygiene certificate
Interviews: To be confirmed
We are one of the largest Further Education Colleges in the UK with more than 20,000 students studying with us on a wide range of courses. Our mission: Developing skills, supporting businesses, engaging communities, changing lives.
Leicester College is proud of its diverse workforce and welcomes applications from the whole community.
Leicester College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of our students, we expect all staff to share this commitment. Background checks including current and latest employer references, an enhanced DBS check and online searches will be required for this role.
If you decide to apply for this post, keep a copy of these details, as they will no longer appear on this web site once the post is closed.
Please note all vacancies close at midnight on the closing date specified.
We aim to complete shortlisting for this role within 5 days after the closing date. You will be contacted via the email address you provide on your application form as to the outcome of your application. Please remember to check your spam email box if you haven\’t heard from us.
Please ensure you complete in full all sections of the application form as we do not accept CVs or other forms of supplementary information.
Data Protection
Leicester College take the security of your data seriously and have internal policies and controls in place to ensure that your data is protected.
By entering your details you are allowing us to access and use the information you provide for recruitment purposes. We will not share your information with any third parties outside of our agreements.
Your data will be saved periodically before you reach the end of the application form. This is to help you if you want to complete the form over a number of visits and to limit data loss as a result of a technical issue such as an accidental browser closure or a loss of internet connection.
We will store your details for a period of 12 months, initially for use in the recruitment process and thereafter in an anonymised format to allow us to complete recruitment statistics. Your personal details will be deleted automatically once the data retention limit is reached.
For more information on how we use your information see our privacy statement.
Should you wish to remove your details prior to automatic deletion or for any other queries about your information is handled, please contact us on or via email
Lunchtime Assistant employer: Leicester College
Contact Detail:
Leicester College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lunchtime Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the Supported and Inclusive Learning team. Understanding their values and how they support students will help you connect during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for inclusion! When you're talking about your experience, highlight any moments where you've gone above and beyond to support someone with diverse needs. We love to see that caring attitude!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss food safety! Brush up on your knowledge of dietary requirements and food hygiene standards. Being able to talk confidently about these topics will show us you're serious about the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen to be part of our community from the get-go!
We think you need these skills to ace Lunchtime Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for supporting students with complex needs shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in their lives!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in catering or working with SEND students. We love seeing how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on those details!
Keep It Clean and Clear: Just like maintaining hygiene in food prep areas, your application should be tidy and easy to read. Use clear language and structure your application well to make it stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leicester College
✨Know Your Stuff
Familiarise yourself with the dietary needs and food safety standards mentioned in the job description. Being able to discuss specific dietary requirements and how you would cater to them will show your commitment and understanding of the role.
✨Show Your Compassion
Prepare examples that highlight your caring and patient approach. Think about times when you've supported individuals with diverse needs, whether in a professional or personal setting, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Team Player Vibes
Since this role involves working as part of a team, be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others. Share experiences where you’ve worked effectively in a team, especially in a catering or educational environment, to demonstrate your ability to contribute positively.
✨Ask Questions
Don’t forget to prepare some thoughtful questions about the role and the team. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you understand if it’s the right fit for you. Ask about training opportunities or how the team supports each other in their roles.