Join Our Team as a Kitchen Assistant
Job Title: Kitchen Assistant
Reports To: Nurse In-Charge / Senior Care Assistant / Care Coordinator
Accountable To: Goodwill Healthcare Services Limited (GHS CARE) Agency Manager/Director, Head Chef / Catering Manager / Care Home Manager
Contract Type: Temporary, Agency, Flexible Shifts, Zero-Hour Contract
Hours: Days, Evenings, Weekends, Nights and Bank Holidays as required
Care Homes, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Rehabilitation Units, Healthcare Facilities, and Community Healthcare Settings across Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, Darlington, Redcar, Stockton-on-Tees, Gateshead, Durham, Leeds, and surrounding areas within the Central North East Region, United Kingdom.
As a Kitchen Assistant, you will support the catering team in delivering safe, nutritious, high-quality meals to residents, patients, visitors, and staff. You will assist with food preparation, meal service, cleaning, stock management, and maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.
The post holder will work in accordance with Food Safety Regulations, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), Infection Prevention and Control standards, and the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework where applicable.
You will play an important role in ensuring meals meet individual dietary, cultural, religious, allergy, and texture-modified requirements while supporting a safe and efficient kitchen environment.
Assist the Head Chef and catering team with the preparation of meals, snacks, beverages, and desserts.
Prepare ingredients including washing, peeling, chopping, portioning, and assembling food items.
Support meal plating and food presentation in accordance with service standards.
Assist in the preparation of special diets including diabetic, low-salt, low-fat, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, fortified, and allergen-controlled meals.
Assist with meal distribution and serving to residents, patients, staff, and visitors.
Ensure food is served at the correct temperature and within designated service times.
Support hydration and nutritional initiatives where required.
Assist in preparing and serving texture-modified meals and thickened fluids in accordance with IDDSI guidelines.
Ensure correct identification and labelling of texture-modified diets.
Prevent cross-contamination between standard and modified diets.
Follow dietary instructions provided by Speech and Language Therapists (SALT), Dietitians, Nursing Staff, and Catering Managers.
Report concerns regarding food intake, hydration, or nutritional risks to the appropriate staff member.
Follow HACCP procedures and food safety management systems at all times.
Monitor and record food temperatures accurately.
Maintain food safety records and documentation as required.
Ensure food is stored, handled, prepared, and transported safely.
Follow allergen management procedures and ensure allergen information is communicated accurately.
Support stock rotation using FIFO (First In, First Out) principles.
Report food safety concerns, contamination risks, or equipment faults immediately.
Maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic kitchen environment at all times.
Wash dishes, utensils, trays, crockery, cutlery, and kitchen equipment.
Clean work surfaces, food preparation areas, storage areas, refrigerators, freezers, and kitchen equipment.
Follow daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedules.
Ensure waste is disposed of safely and correctly.
Adhere to infection prevention and control standards within healthcare environments.
Assist with receiving and checking deliveries.
Monitor stock levels and report shortages to the Head Chef or Catering Manager.
Store food and supplies correctly according to food safety requirements.
Assist with stock rotation and minimise food waste.
Support sustainability and waste reduction initiatives.
Complete food safety, cleaning, temperature, and stock records accurately.
Maintain HACCP documentation in line with organisational procedures.
Record refrigerator, freezer, and food holding temperatures as required.
Ensure all documentation is completed clearly, accurately, and on time.
Follow Health and Safety legislation, policies, and procedures.
Use kitchen equipment safely and report defects immediately.
Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and uniform.
Report accidents, incidents, hazards, and near misses promptly.
Participate in fire safety procedures and emergency drills.
Maintain a safe working environment for colleagues, residents, patients, and visitors.
Work effectively as part of the catering and multidisciplinary team.
Communicate professionally with chefs, nursing staff, care staff, managers, residents, patients, and visitors.
Support colleagues during busy periods and service demands.
Demonstrate a positive and flexible approach to work.
Treat all individuals with dignity, respect, and fairness.
Support equality, diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness.
Respect residents', patients', and colleagues' confidentiality.
Comply with GDPR and Data Protection requirements.
Previous experience working within a kitchen, catering, hospitality, healthcare, or food service environment.
Food Hygiene Certificate (Minimum Level 2).
Food Allergens Training.
HACCP Awareness or Certification.
NVQ Level 2 in Catering, Food Preparation, Professional Cookery, or equivalent qualification.
Knowledge of food safety procedures and record keeping.
Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Flexible and reliable approach to shift work.
Right to Work in the United Kingdom.
Experience working within care homes, hospitals, healthcare catering, or educational catering environments.
Understanding of IDDSI Framework and texture-modified diets.
Health and Safety Awareness Training.
Infection Prevention and Control Training.
Food Temperature Monitoring Experience.
Full UK Driving Licence.
The successful candidate may be required to complete and maintain annual updates in:
Food Hygiene Level 2 or Higher
Food Allergens Awareness
HACCP
Health and Safety Awareness
Infection Prevention and Control
Fire Safety
Manual Handling
Equality and Diversity
GDPR and Confidentiality
IDDSI Awareness Training
Safeguarding Adults
At GHS CARE, we value every member of our workforce and recognise the important role catering staff play in supporting health, wellbeing, recovery, and quality of life.
We offer:
Competitive pay rates
Flexible shifts to suit your lifestyle
Weekly payroll
Ongoing training and professional development
Opportunities to work across a variety of healthcare settings
Friendly and supportive management team
Career progression opportunities
Access to temporary and permanent placements
If you are passionate about delivering high-quality food services and supporting the wellbeing of residents and patients, we would love to hear from you.
Please submit your CV to GHS CARE Recruitment Team.
Why Work with Goodwill Healthcare Services (GHS CARE) to Secure Your Next Role? Whether you’re a registered nurse, healthcare assistant, allied health professional, or administrative staff member, we offer temporary and permanent placements that fit your skills, preferences, and schedule. Our extensive network of healthcare facilities and organisations allows us to match you with positions that align with your expertise and career goals.
GHS CARE is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, right-to-work checks, employment verification, and Enhanced DBS clearance where applicable.
Apply now and take the next step in your career.
Apply for this positionEmployment Type
Part Time
Posted
08 Jun 2026