Food Service Assistant

Job summary

The Company

Here at Augustinian Care we have got two purpose-built care homes located in the grounds of St George’s Park. Our homes offer the best in modern facilities combined with the traditional principles of care which has been offered by the Augustinian Sisters at St George’s since 1868.

Our two sixty-bed Care Homes are based in St George’s Park, Ditchling Common, within 3 miles of both Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill, set within 250 acres of beautiful gardens and farmlands, in an area of outstanding natural beauty with views overlooking the South Downs.

You will be part of a dedicated catering team playing an important role within our caring community and helping to maintain a welcoming and supportive home for our residents. 

You will have access to our excellent training programme, and we pride ourselves on a continuous improvement plan for all our new and existing staff to ensure they have the ongoing knowledge, skills and commitment to become and continue to be a successful, valued member of our team.

Our rates of pay are competitive, and our staff benefits are extensive and include free uniform, free meal, paid breaks and a free staff minibus service from both the Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath areas.

Benefits

Our rates of pay are competitive, and our staff benefits are extensive and include free uniform, free meal, and a free staff minibus service from both the Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath areas.

• Competitive remuneration
• Job security - Augustinian Care have been caring for the elderly for over 150 years
• Annual pay reviews
• Free uniform provided - For all care and ancillary positions
• Free staff transport - Mini bus pickups on specified routes
• Free on site secure parking
• DBS checks - Company funded checks
• Free meal - One free meal provided when on duty (hot for day shifts and Sandwiches on nights)
• Life Cover - based on a multiple of the last 12 months earnings at date of death
• Employee Assistance Programme including free, confidential, access to advice line and counselling
• Access to Blue Light Card – extensive range of discounts on many high street & online brands/shops
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Referral Scheme - with generous rewards (T&C's apply)
• Long service awards - Financial recognition of long service and commitment
• Paid sick leave (T&C's apply)
• Some other staff benefits include: Staff massage chair, Company Summer Fete and Christmas Party, staff prize draws, various staff well-being talks

The Role

Our Food Service Assistants support our catering team in the Care Home by setting up dining areas, serving meals and refreshments, preparing basic foods, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and organisation across the dining rooms and pantries.

You will play a front-of-house role, responsible for providing a general table service and covers some of the following duties:

• To set up the dining room and pantries in preparation for the serving of breakfast, morning & afternoon teas and coffees, lunch, suppers, and snacks.
• To prepare take away meals for our residents who require 24 hour care in bed, ready for collection from our Care team when required.
• To provide room service for residents and guests by way of refreshments when required.
• To serve food at the counter to residents and visitors, including hot or cold drinks.
• Maintain the drink dispensers and coffee machines and cleaning them inside and out on a daily basis along with replenishing stocks when required.
• To wash up and store all crockery, cutlery and other utensils.
• Assisting with general kitchen duties when required by the Senior Chef.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness in the dining room and community areas
• To assist with the preparation of meals for residents at meal times, including making sandwiches and providing snacks.
• To assist with the preparation and organisation of special functions within all the Homes when required.
• Re-stock the pantries on a daily basis including keeping it clean for the following day.
• Keeping an up to date check list of temperature checks of the fridges and pantry areas on a daily basis.

Working hours:

4 x 10 hour shifts per week (08:00 - 19:00)
Shifts are rostered on a four-week rolling roster and include alternate weekend working.
The successful candidate must have the flexibility to work any day of the week.

Requirements

• At least 1 years’ experience of working within a catering function.
• It is not essential to have experience with a Care Home setting but would be desirable in understanding the different needs of our residents.
• The successful candidate will either hold a Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2, or to be prepared to study for this as part of the role requirements.
• All posts are subject to a clear enhanced criminal record check and satisfactory references.
• Proof of x2 Covid-19 vaccinations
• This role does not meet the requirements of Sponsorship - you must have current valid right to work in the UK.

The Successful Candidate will:

• Have strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Display a positive and flexible aptitude to team working.
• Have strong attention to detail and demonstrate a willingness and ethusiasm for training and development.
• Be able to work efficiently and work well under pressure.