Overview
and Responsibilities
Catering Assistant – Aurora Meldreth Manor and Orchard Manor Shared Services
Location: Meldreth, near Royston. Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire border
Contract Type: Permanent, Full time
Hours: hours per week, Monday to Friday :am to :pm, weeks a year
Hourly rate: £. - £. per hour (depending on skills/experience/qualifications)
Annual Salary: £,. - £,.
Closing date: Friday th October 5 at 1pm
Aurora Meldreth Manor/Orchard Manor
Situated in the village of Meldreth, just ten miles south of Cambridge, our services provide education, care, and therapeutic support for children and young people with severe, profound, and multiple learning difficulties. Set within acres, our site includes:
1. Music and Art Rooms
2. Rebound Therapy
3. Hydrotherapy
4. Forestry School
5. Adapted Kitchens
6. Enterprise Schemes
7. Sensory Rooms
8. Hard and soft outdoor spaces
The role:
As a Catering Assistant, you will play a key role in creating a positive mealtime experience for our young people. You’ll assist with meal preparation and service, ensuring correct portioning, temperature control, and presentation standards. You’ll maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment and support inclusive, person-centred dining experiences.
This is a hands-on role requiring a proactive and practical approach. The ideal candidate will have strong organisational skills, a keen eye for detail, and a genuine passion for delivering excellent service. You should be comfortable working independently when needed and able to manage tasks efficiently in a busy environment.
Due to the physical nature of the role—including manual handling and long periods of standing—a good level of physical fitness is essential.
Key duties:
9. Assist the Senior Cook with meal preparation, ensuring food safety and portion control.
10. Maintain a hygienic kitchen environment, including cleaning equipment, surfaces, and floors.
11. Receive, check, and store food deliveries in line with food safety standards.
12. Ensure allergen information and labelling complies with Natasha’s Law.
13. Serve food respectfully, considering individual dietary needs and preferences.
14. Engage positively with young people during mealtimes, promoting independence and choice.
15. Carry out and record equipment and maintenance checks.
16. Respond appropriately to food-related emergencies, including allergic reactions.
17. Work independently when required, demonstrating initiative and attention to detail.
18. Contribute to continuous improvement of food service quality and experience.
Duties will vary, you must expect to diversify and lend a hand wherever is required. Please see the link below for our full job description:
Skills and Qualifications
Essential:
19. Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety (Catering)
20. Good to advanced IT literacy, specifically in Outlook and Excel
21. Working knowledge of health and safety legislation (including COSHH, manual handling, and food hygiene)
22. Knowledge of Natasha’s Law
23. Good literacy, numeracy, and communication skills
24. Ability to work under pressure and prioritise tasks
25. Commitment to safeguarding and promoting wellbeing
26. Positive work attitude and attention to detail
Desirable:
27. First Aid Certificate (or willingness to obtain)
28. Personal experience or knowledge of disability and inclusive practices
Benefits and Additional Information
What’s on offer:
29. Opportunities for meaningful career development
30. Fully funded training and qualifications
31. Life assurance
32. Enhanced pension scheme
33. Perk Box - offering high street discounts
34. Employee assistance programme
35. Bike to work scheme
36. Car lease scheme
How to Apply:
You can apply online by completing our online application form. For more information on this position please contact