Serco Plc
Catering Assistant
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Catering Assistant
Kitchen Assistant – Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre
Location: Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre, Twinwoods Business Park, Thurleigh Rd, Milton Ernest, Bedford MK44 1FD
Salary: £25,769 per annum
Shift Pattern: 3 days on / 3 days off | 12-hour shifts (7:00 AM – 7:00 PM)
About the Role
Join Serco at Yarl’s Wood, where your kitchen experience can make a real impact – providing dignity, care, and stability through nutritious meals to individuals facing a challenging period in their lives.
This is a fast-paced, high-energy kitchen environment, ideal for those who thrive in a dynamic culinary setting. Whether you have experience as a kitchen assistant, catering assistant, kitchen crew member, or kitchen team member, you’ll contribute essential support to our operation.
Benefits
- Free onsite parking
- Free staff meals every shift
- Uniform provided
- Comprehensive onsite training
- Overtime paid at time and a half
Responsibilities
As a Kitchen Assistant, you will:
- Support chefs in preparing varied menus, including special diets and culturally appropriate meals
- Ensure strict adherence to food safety and hygiene regulations
- Safely manage food storage, delivery, and waste disposal
- Maintain accurate records of food production in line with HACCP, allergen controls, and audit standards
- Participate in quality checks and hospitality services
- Understand and support safety, safeguarding, and security procedures
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Requirements
- Experience in a catering or kitchen setting (preferably in a fast-paced food service environment)
- Food Safety Level 2 or 3 (or willingness to gain this certification)
- Knowledge of HACCP and allergen procedures
- Strong teamwork, communication, and computer skills
- Full UK driving licence (essential due to location)
Why Serco?
A place you can make an impact – Meaningful work that delivers essential services touching lives.
A place you can count on – Diverse, UK-wide operations offering learning and development opportunities.
A place for you – A supportive and safe culture that encourages growth and success.
What We Offer
- Pension up to 6%
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Chance to contribute to innovation in public services
- Company committed to diversity and inclusion
- Benefits portal with discounts for major retailers, leisure, and hospitality brands
- Access to employee networks, including:
- SercoInspire (Gender)
- SercoEmbrace (Multicultural)
- SercoUnlimited (Disability)
- In@Serco (LGBTQIA+)
About Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre (IRC)
Managed by Serco since 2007, Yarl’s Wood IRC is a secure facility where women without legal immigration status are held awaiting deportation or case decisions. The centre prioritises a safe, supportive, and respectful environment during their time of need.
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With a focus on compassion, innovation, and impact, employees provide critical services, including:
- Welfare and healthcare support
- Faith and cultural provisions
- Education, recreation, and work opportunities
About Serco
Serco is a fast-growing, global business delivering public services in sectors such as:
- Justice
- Immigration
- Defence
- Leisure
- Healthcare
- Transport
- Citizen Services
Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation, and Pride, we’re dedicated to redesigning and improving public services.
Inclusive Recruitment Process
At Serco, we value performance and potential. We are:
- Disability Confident Leader
- Top 3 Great British Employer of Veterans
- Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder
We support flexible working arrangements where possible and make reasonable adjustments during recruitment and employment.
Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria will be invited for an interview.
We adhere to the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may exempt due to security concerns).
Apply Now
Please click the apply button to begin your application process.
Note: Due to high application volumes, the closing date may be brought forward – apply promptly.
For assistance, contact: 0345 010 4000 | [Apply]
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