Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist mental health, learning disability, and community healthcare services for the population of the Black Country. Across the Black Country we provide: Adult and older adult mental health services Specialist learning disability services Mental health services for children and young people Community healthcare services for children, young people and families in Dudley Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 April 2020, with the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. Combining resources, strategies and talented workforce enables us to deliver a wider variety of outstanding services that are based on best practice and are continually improving. We currently employ over 4,000 people and just like the population we serve, we are made up of diverse cultures and backgrounds. Whatever your role, working in a NHS Foundation Trust, like ours, is a demanding and extremely rewarding experience. Knowing that every day you can help to make a positive difference to someone’s life is a very powerful feeling. We know that our Trust runs on this desire to help and support people, and our Trust vision expresses this. Our vision is to improve health and wellbeing for everyone, especially our colleagues to achieve the best possible work/life balance. We proudly offer supportive, inclusive and family friendly employment and flexible working policies. We have a wide range of professional services and employee networks to help our colleagues be at their best - and find support if they need it. To find more about our staff benefits, please visit our website: blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk. Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and ethnic minority candidates are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Black Country Healthcare we recognise and value all forms of knowledge and expertise, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification or criteria in the job description/person specification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. For further supporting information to help you apply for this role please see documents attached under ‘Additional documents’. Job overview The role of a Catering Assistant at Black Country Partnership involves working within the Trust Facilities Management structure to ensure the delivery of high-quality and safe catering services to patients, visitors, and staff. The Catering Assistant will report to the Facilities Supervisor - Catering on each site and will be responsible for assisting in the preparation and serving of meals, maintaining hygiene standards, and ensuring compliance with food hygiene regulations and Trust policies. This role is critical in enhancing the patient experience by providing meals that meet their nutritional and social needs and requires good communication between the ward and kitchen. Advert The main duties of a Catering Assistant at Black Country Healthcare include preparing and serving meals to patients, ensuring that all food is presented in an appealing and hygienic manner. You will be responsible for maintaining cleanliness and sanitation standards in the kitchen and dining areas, including washing dishes and cleaning equipment. Additionally, you will assist with inventory management, ensuring that supplies are adequately stocked and properly stored. Catering Assistants also support the dietary needs of patients by following specific dietary guidelines and ensuring that meals meet nutritional requirements. Your role is crucial in providing a positive dining experience for patients, contributing to their overall health and well-being. Working for our organisation Working for the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and communities. The Trust is dedicated to providing high-quality mental health, learning disability, and community healthcare services, ensuring that you are part of a team that truly makes a difference. With a strong commitment to staff wellbeing, professional development, and flexible working arrangements, the Trust supports you in achieving a healthy work-life balance while advancing your career. Additionally, the diverse range of roles available means you can find a position that aligns with your skills and passions, all within a supportive and inclusive environment. Joining the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust means being part of a forward-thinking organization that values its employees and strives to create a positive workplace culture. Detailed job description and main responsibilities As a Catering Assistant at Black Country Healthcare, you will play a vital role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality meal services to our patients. Your responsibilities will include preparing and serving meals, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards in the kitchen and dining areas, and assisting with inventory management. You will work closely with the catering team to support the dietary needs of patients, ensuring that meals are nutritious and meet specific dietary requirements. This position is essential in helping us provide excellent care and support to our patients, contributing to their overall well-being and recovery. Please Note that Internal at Risk Employees will be given preference for this position We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward for this vacancy at any time should we receive an overwhelming response of applications. We therefore encourage applicants to apply early if you wish to be considered for this post. If you do not hear from the Recruitment team within the advertised closing date please assume that you have been unsuccessful at the shortlisting stage. Please ensure that you check your emails on a regular basis for any recruitment updates regarding this vacancy. If you are not successful at the shortlisting stage and would like feedback, please contact the Recruitment Team directly for feedback. The salary range quoted is as per NHS Agenda for Change pay structures where applicable. This is based on the number of years’ working directly within the NHS at the advertised pay band. Experience gained with other NHS Trusts will apply, but candidates without prior experience working direct for the NHS would normally be appointed at the lowest point unless they can demonstrate the equivalent experience and then be eligible for incremental increases in future years. Medical and Very Senior Manager roles are exempt from agenda for change and subject to alternative remuneration structures. Successful applicants for clinical posts up to and including Band 4 are expected to hold the national Care Certificate qualification and will be supported to attain this once in post. The Trust is committed to equal opportunities, providing opportunities for flexible working and is a non-smoking organisation. As a Trust we are passionate about Anti-Racism, Disability Inclusion, and LGBTQ Equality, and are committed to diversifying our staff team in all areas and at all levels of seniority to better reflect the diverse communities we serve. Therefore, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from people who belong to a minority or marginalised community, including from Black and Asian, Disabled (including hidden disabilities such as Neurodiversity, Mental Health, etc), or Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans or Queer (LGBTQ) people. Furthermore, Disabled applicants have the option of requesting that their application is considered under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS). Please indicate your intention to apply under the GIS in the relevant section of your application. Regardless of whether you participate in the scheme or have shared a disability, you will be provided the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the interview process at each stage of the recruitment process. Due to the nature of the work some posts may be subject to a Standard Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, through the Disclosure and Barring Service as stipulated under part V of the Police Act 1997. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us; this will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances of your offences.