Catering Assistant

Job summary

Are you passionate about food and looking for a rewarding opportunity to work within a healthcare setting helping some of the most vulnerable people in society? If so, join Ballington House a service for women with complex Mental Health needs where you will be working 37.5 hours a week with an established and dedicated kitchen team. Reporting to the Head Chef, you will support the chefs to prepare meals, maintain a clean and safe working environment, and assist with deliveries. Theres a great social aspect to this role where you can interact with people outside the kitchen regularly. Its a calm and pleasurable working environment, where youll be able to manage your workload and your career. Theres huge range of courses on offer to help grow and develop your career. If you have the aspiration, capability and dedication, Elysium Healthcare can give you the support and opportunities to help you achieve your career goals.

Main duties of the job

The role of a Catering Assistant at Elysium Healthcare involves assisting catering staff in preparing and cooking meals according to company policies, serving food and beverages to service users, staff, and visitors, and maintaining storage procedures and stock rotation. You are expected to keep all areas, equipment, and furniture clean and stored correctly. The position is part of a team ensuring that kitchens meet hygiene standards and comply with policies, as well as liaising with dietitians regarding dietary plans. Relevant catering qualifications are desirable, and knowledge of COSHH and HACCP is required. Experience in a similar role, along with basic numeracy and literacy skills, are necessary.

About us

Elysium Healthcare is a major provider of mental health, neurological, learning disabilities and autism, children and education services across the UK. With over 8,000 employees and 80 locations, Elysium Healthcare offers an extensive network of expertise, emphasizing a unique approach to care delivery. It is part of Ramsay Health Care, a global network spanning 10 countries and employing over 86,000 people. Elysium prides itself on being a Disability Confident employer, following safer recruitment practices and ensuring all staff promote the welfare of service users. The company encourages career growth and movement, backed by a comprehensive training and development program.

Details

• Date posted: 19 June 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £25,058 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 1518594051
• Job locations: Elysium Healthcare, Leek, ST13 5LW, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Are you passionate about food and looking for a rewarding opportunity to work within a healthcare setting helping some of the most vulnerable people in society?

If so, join Ballington House a service for women with complex Mental Health needs where you will be working 37.5 hours a week with an established and dedicated kitchen team.

Reporting to the Head Chef, you will support the chefs to prepare meals, maintain a clean and safe working environment, and assist with deliveries. There’s a great social aspect to this role where you can interact with people outside the kitchen regularly.

It’s a calm and pleasurable working environment, where you’ll be able to manage your workload and your career. There’s huge range of courses on offer to help grow and develop your career. If you have the aspiration, capability and dedication, Elysium Healthcare can give you the support and opportunities to help you achieve your career goals.

As a Catering Assistant you will be:

• Assisting catering staff with both the preparation and cooking of meals in accordance with the company’s policies and procedures.
• Serving service users, staff and visitors with food and beverages.
• Maintaining storage procedures and stock rotation.
• Ensuring that all areas, equipment and furniture are cleaned and stored correctly.
• As part of the catering team, ensuring the kitchen and associated areas meet operational hygiene standards and comply with the company’s policies and procedures.
• Liaising with the wider team, including dietitians regarding dietary and planned meals

To be successful in this role, you'll need:

• Relevant Catering Qualification (Desirable)
• Knowledge of COSHH and HACCP
• Experience of working within similar role.
• Basic numeracy and literacy skills.

Where you will be working:

Location: Ballington Gardens, Leek, Staffordshire ST13 5LW

The environment at Ballington House offers a pathway from admission to discharge which incorporates three phases; the assessment phase (accepting help), the rehabilitation phase (believing, trying and learning) and the community phase-out (self-reliance).

The patients journey generally begins on the ground floor and as they move through each phase of their pathway they proceed to the first floor and then the two bedroomed apartment on the first floor.

You will work alongside an experienced multi-disciplinary team consisting of a consultant psychiatrist, clinical psychologist and assistants, an occupational therapist and assistants, nurses, and support workers.

What You’ll Get

At Elysium Healthcare, we believe in taking care of the people who care for others, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and future:

• Annual base salary of £25,058
• The equivalent of 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) – plus your birthday off and the option to buy additional annual leave, in our annual selection window.
• Career development and training to help you achieve your professional goals
• Access to our Rewards & Benefits platform Ely-Vate; Your one-stop destination for everyday savings, exclusive benefits, and wellbeing hub!
• Wellbeing support and activities to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Access to Blue Light Card, which provides a range of exclusive offers and discounts
• Life Assurance, for added peace of mind
• Stream – instant access to earned wages when you need it, plus access to save, directly from your wages, alongside financial wellbeing support.
• 24/7 GP service and second medical opinion, to ensure you are the best you can be
• Enhanced Maternity Package, so you can truly enjoy this special time
• Pension contribution, to help secure your future
• Free/subsidised meals and onsite/local free parking

About your next employer:

Elysium Health care has over 8,000 employees and a unique approach to the delivery of care. With a network of over 80 services across England and Wales covering Mental Health, Neurological, Learning Disabilities & Autism, Children & Education, there is opportunity for you to grow and move.

Elysium Healthcare is part of Ramsay Health Care with a global network that extends across 10 countries and employs over 86,000 people globally.

Elysium Healthcare follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments and is a Disability Confident employer, committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person’s individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of service users. All candidates will be subject to a DBS disclosure