Kitchen Assistant

Team: CAS - Linsell House

Job Family:  Supporting - CBG3 

Salary: £22,366 to £22,737 per annum, pro rata

Hours: 25 hours per week

Location: Linsell House, Ridgeway Avenue, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU5 4QJ

Contract type: Fixed - Permanent

Closing Date: 14th November 2024

Interview Date: W/C 25th November 2024

About the role: 

We are currently looking for a Kitchen Assistant to join their our team to support our Chef Manager and adults with profound learning disabilities at Linsell house. Experience of working within a kitchen environment is desirable but not essential. You don’t need to have any formal qualifications to apply for this post as an enthusiasm for the role is the key requirement – we would need you to have a basic understanding of appropriate food and hygiene practices and be willing to work towards a level 2 certificate in Basic Food Hygiene if you don’t already have one. You will be supported and directed by the Chef manager of the shift and will have the opportunity to gain additional knowledge around providing nutritious meals for people at the service. You will be working closely with the management/staff team to provide a high-quality person-centred approach whilst working as part of a team.

Job purpose: 

To be responsible for managing the operation of the kitchen including food production, staff management, supplies, presentation/service and record management and compliance with quality and safety standards.

To deliver high standards of catering to customers by providing nutritious, varied and well-balanced meals that are tasty and attractive.

To provide support to the Chef manager and ensure high standards of catering by providing efficient, timely, well balanced, nutritious and flavourful meals within budget 

Main accountabilities: 

Planning, Preparation and Delivery

• To prepare food for residents ensuring it is cooked and delivered in a timely manner. That it is of the correct temperature when required by our service users
• To ensure food is of high quality and attractively presented and that the portions are appropriate.
• To provide for special dietary requirements considering the preferences of Service users.
• To ensure that Individual choices and preferences are exercised and that service users are involved in the process.
• To ensure all kitchenettes are stocked.
• To support the chef manager with any planned activities/celebrations by providing a variety of food in keeping with the planned activity.
• To liaise with the Chef Manager when planning/costing menus in order to provide a balanced nutritious diet and make the best use of available fresh foods.
• To regularly monitor and assess service users’ satisfaction with the catering service provided and respond accordingly and positively to ideas and feedback.

Budgetary/Financial Control, Record Keeping

• Maintain accurate records of food supplies, waste and hazard analysis and freezer/fridge temperatures as required by Environmental Health, Food standards, CQC and CBC.
• To ensure the correct and economical use of provisions and equipment within budgetary guidelines.
• To ensure that stock is rotated correctly, Ordering and checking deliveries and stocks as required by the Home Manager.
• The planning, design and costing of menu’s.

Training

• Complete level 2 and 3 basic food hygiene training
• Maintaining and improving profession knowledge and competence
• Attending mandatory training days/course on or of site as and when required 

Health and Safety

• To ensure that statutory Health and Safety standards are met in the main kitchen, kitchenettes and dining rooms. 
• To ensure that chemicals/kitchen equipment is used and stored correctly and safety procedures are adhered to at all times.
• To ensure that all crockery and equipment is cleaned and stored appropriately and that the overall cleaning of the kitchen area and where appropriate other areas is carried out effectively.
• Report immediately to the Unit Supervisor or person in charge, any illness of an infectious nature or accident incurred by a client, colleague self or another.
• To understand and maintain a safe working environment through the implementation of the home’s health and safety, infection control and hygiene policies and emergency fire procedures.
• Report to the Unit Supervisor any faulty appliances, damaged furniture equipment or any potential hazards, and follow up any appropriate actions
• To have knowledge of the homes Health and Safety, COSHH and Environmental Health regulations relevant to your job role. 
• To take responsibility for your own health and safety and that of others who this may effected

    Professional

• To ensure that you are aware of your role in relation to the Home’s safeguarding Adults Policy taking steps to protect customers from any forms of abuse or neglect and use appropriate reporting mechanisms to inform the Home Manager of any concerns. 
• Promoting a positive person professional profile within the care homes and the local community ensuring the good reputation of the home at all times
• To attend staff meetings and internal or external training courses as required. 
• Adhering to all Local Authority policies and procedures
• All staff should bear in mind the overall objectives of the home, and that residents will be encouraged to maintain independence and choice where possible. 
• This job description is intended to give an appreciation of the role and range of duties. However it is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time.

Our Offer

We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our Rewards and Benefits page

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You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this Recruitment Pack.

Our Competency Framework and Qualification Guidance are to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack.

For an informal discussion about this position, please contact: Charlotte Bond at charlotte.bond@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 4017, or Kerry Harding at kerry.harding@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 6525, or James Mcelhinney at james.mcelhinney@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 4701

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Safeguarding:

Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and contractors to share this commitment. This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records.  

Our National Careers Service team offer a free weekly workshop covering CV writing and how to complete the statement sections of the Central Bedfordshire Council online application form. This MS Teams workshop is open to anyone from the UK and lasts around 1.5 hours. Please book your place here.

More information about this service can be found here: Support getting into work or learning | Central Bedfordshire Council