Kitchen Assistant

**THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION**

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**Job Title**:Kitchen Assistant**
This job requires a DBS check at Enhanced level.

**Reporting to**:Chef

**Key Relationships**:Catering Team and Dining and Café Team, beneficiaries, visitors and care home staff

**Role Purpose**:To assist the Chef in preparing a high standard of restaurant quality food for Beneficiaries, the Community Café, visitors and staff within the Care Home and Community environments. To assist in keeping all kitchen areas clean and tidy always.
The post holder must be available to work weekends and evenings as necessary.

**Dimensions of the Role**:
Care Services forms part of the Operations Directorate of the Royal British Legion. It incorporates the Legion’s care homes, community facilities and the Admiral Nurse Service.

Our services are regulated because we provide:

- Treatment, care and support including both personal and nursing care to adults in care homes
- Services for people whose rights have been restricted under the Mental Capacity Act
- Support to carers of people living with dementia.

The post holder will be required to comply at all times with all of the regulations, legislation and guidance governing the Health and Social Care sector.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Food Preparation_
- To assist the Chef with food preparation and baking, as required.
- To assist in preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner and to ensure that all food orders are collected promptly, including, dining/meeting rooms and café.
- Kitchen Duties_
- To ensure that the kitchen area is maintained as a safe cooking environment, observing the cleaning rota and participating in regular deep cleaning of the kitchen area and all equipment.
- To be observant of health and safety risks, taking precautionary and remedial action, e.g. floor mopping or rubbish removal, when necessary.
- To load the dishwasher or wash-up by hand when required and ensure that all pots, pans, cooking utensils and service counter containers are cleaned to the required standards and correctly stored once cleaned and dried.
- To assist with the ordering of supplies and receipt/store, as directed, ensuring stock rotation and safe storage of all supplies. Participate in regular stock taking.
- To report to Chef or the Maintenance Team immediately any damaged equipment, faulty appliances or any potential hazard and be vigilant of equipment maintenance/service schedules.
- Be responsible for removing rubbish, including food waste, from the kitchen and ensure that all waste is disposed of promptly and appropriately.
- Supporting beneficiaries_
- Support and assist beneficiaries to access a nutritious and balanced diet to maintain a healthy nutrition and hydration status.
- Assist with the preparation of snacks and refreshments in line with any special dietary needs and assist with eating / drinking if required.
- Maintain a safe workplace by monitoring beneficiary behaviour and reporting immediately any changes noticed, which may reflect health or emotional difficulties.
- Engage with beneficiaries to provide mental stimulation and social interaction and support them to participate in meaningful social activity.
- Team Membership_
- Support and assist team members to carry out duties safely and effectively and provide support and assistance to members of other departmental teams.
- Ensure open lines of communication are maintained with team members during each shift and that communication is accurate and timely.
- Contribute to the effective and smooth running of shifts by working in partnership to prioritise duties and adapt to changes.
- Attend mandatory training, keep up to date, share good practice and contribute to service development.
- To attend and participate in staff meetings and supervisions, including personal development review.
- Statutory and Regulatory Compliance_
- To ensure the correct, safe storage of cleaning materials in accordance with COSHH regulations.
- Hospitality and Events Management_
- Assist with the annual Festival of Remembrance, Care Homes Open Day and other key armed forces, national and community events.
- Assist at other care home events e.g. birthday celebrations; this may include evenings and weekends.

**GENERAL**:

- To work in accordance with The Royal British Legion’s shared values of Service;
Collaboration; Passion; Excellence; and Valuing our people - which underpins the fundamental beliefs and qualities of who we are and what we do.
- To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) and relevant legislation, including reporting immediately any health and safety hazard.
- To adhere to infection control polices and guidelines in order to promote cleanliness and reduce infections. Hand hygiene must be undertaken correctly to prevent the spread of infection. Personal protective equipment must be used in accordance with

RBL. In addition, to contribute