Serco
Catering Assistant
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Location: Derwentside IRC, County Durham, DH8 6QY
Salary: £26,663.57 plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Full time 40 hours per week, working hours 8.30am to 6.30pm including weekend work (1 weekend in 3).
Ready to impact a better future?
As a Catering Assistant in our Justice and Immigration team, you’ll play a hands-on role in supporting the smooth running of daily kitchen operations to help create a safe, well-run environment for the people we care for. Your work will contribute to a positive, consistent catering service that supports wellbeing and daily life within the Centre.
You’ll help maintain a clean, well-organised kitchen and stores area, assist with preparing daily meals, and support stock management processes that keep our catering operation running smoothly. It’s practical work with real purpose, where your efforts genuinely touch lives every day.
What You’ll Do
As a Catering Assistant, you’ll be entrusted to:
- Assist the chef with the preparation and production of the daily menu.
- Maintain exceptionally high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and food service.
- Check, rotate, and store catering deliveries, highlighting any issues and arranging returns when needed.
- Monitor and issue stock in line with procedures, supporting accurate stock control and record keeping.
- Escort deliveries, maintain catering stores, and complete daily and weekly cleaning schedules.
- Observe and report any hygiene, health, and safety or security hazards.
- Support the catering manager with general kitchen operations and administrative tasks.
- Promote equal opportunities and zero tolerance of discrimination, following all safety and security policies.
Does this sound like you?
You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Basic computer skills including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
- An understanding of risk awareness and conflict management.
- Problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure.
- Experience in large-scale catering (e.g., armed forces, hospitals) and working to tight deadlines.
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Vetting And Checks
This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.
Discover all you need to keep growing
We’re one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you’ll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we’re proud to offer clear development opportunities – and the support and tools to help you seize them.
What We Offer
- Salary: Competitive salaries with annual reviews
- Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Holidays: 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
- Training and development: We offer a wide range of learning opportunities with over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
- Wellbeing: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, BUPA Anytime Healthline, wellbeing app, simply health cash plans to claim back money towards healthcare costs, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres
- Discounts: Save across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment, and travel
- Employee networks: Dedicated networks where colleagues can come together to find support, share challenges, discuss ideas, network, and be part of a community
- Charity: Support a charity or organisation with a paid volunteering day each year. You can also choose to donate to your favourite charity tax-free, through our Payroll Giving Scheme
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A Little Bit About Us
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure, and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation, and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.
Our Inclusive Recruitment Commitment
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, a top Great British Employer of Veterans, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.
- Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans, and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
- Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).
For support with your application, please contact recruitmentuk@serco.com.
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