Kitchen assistant

KITCHEN ASSISTANT – The Place up Hanley, ST2 9HP

Competitive Pay | Free Parking | Discounted Meals | Training + Development

Safe Harbor is a family-run provider of Residential and Residential Dementia Care Homes across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. We’re proud of the supportive culture in our homes and the standards we continue to build—quality, dignity, safety, and person-centred care, every day.

Our values (how we work)

• Together: Residents and staff at the heart of everything we do. Strong relationships with residents, families and each other
• Safe: Safety as the foundation—robust care planning and continuous review
• Improving: Always learning, listening and raising standards
• Compassion: Individualised, gentle, respectful care

We’re looking for a reliable Kitchen Assistant to support our Cook and help deliver a clean, safe, well-organised catering service—making mealtimes comfortable and enjoyable for residents.

The role (what you’ll be doing)

• Assisting with food preparation tasks as directed by the Cook (especially vegetable preparation)
• Preparing meal trays for residents’ rooms (laid correctly with cutlery, drinks and condiments)
• Laying tables before meals and clearing/wiping tables after service
• Clearing room trays after meals and storing items appropriately
• Washing up after mealtimes and returning clean crockery/cutlery to storage
• Cleaning kitchen surfaces after each service and keeping the kitchen to high hygiene standards
• Cleaning spillages immediately and using wet floor signage correctly
• Cleaning the kitchen floor thoroughly at the end of the day
• Emptying bins and disposing of waste correctly (including recycling)
• Completing and recording relevant checks as per local protocols (e.g., cleanliness and fridge temperature checks)
• Following all Health & Safety requirements and the home’s catering policies and procedures
• Treating residents with dignity and respect and maintaining confidentiality

What we’re looking for

• A positive, can-do attitude and pride in keeping things clean and organised
• Good awareness of food hygiene and safe working practices (training provided)
• Reliable, punctual and able to work well as part of a team
• Care home or catering experience is helpful but not essential
• Willingness to complete required training (Food Hygiene, Health & Safety and other statutory training)
• Right to work in the UK — applicants must not require sponsorship now or in the future

What you’ll get at Safe Harbor

• Free parking
• Discounted meals
• Refer-a-friend bonus*
• Training and development support (including Food Hygiene)
• Regular supervision and support from a team that values standards and communication
• Recognition and appreciation initiatives (including staff awards and team treats)
• A provider that is actively investing in improvements across our homes

Working hours

To be agreed with the Registered Manager/Cook (role can be tailored per home)

If you’re dependable, take pride in high standards, and want to be part of a friendly team making a real difference every day—apply now.

*Terms and conditions apply.