Mobile Catering Assistant | Fixed Term | Term Time Only | South Ribble, West Lancashire & Surrounding areas

Job Description

Salary £25,949 per annum (Pro rata) | Part time | 15 hours per week | Term Time only | Fixed term until December 2026, Variable hours | South Ribble, West Lancashire & Southport areas

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Do you enjoy working as part of a team but want a role that fits around school hours?

Join our School Catering Service and play an important part in providing healthy, nutritious meals to children across Lancashire.

As a Peripatetic Mobile Catering Assistant, you will provide flexible catering support across a number of school sites within the South Ribble, West Lancashire & Southport areas. This mobile role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, as you'll work with different teams and school communities, helping to ensure continuity of service wherever support is needed. Due to the travel requirements of the role, applicants must be able to travel independently between locations and have access to their own vehicle.

About the Role

As part of this dedicated team, you'll help maintain high standards of food preparation, service and hygiene while supporting schools across parts of South Ribble, West Lancashire & Southport areas.

This is a fast-paced role that requires flexibility and reliability. You'll work collaboratively with colleagues while also being confident using your own initiative to keep services running smoothly.

Most importantly, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that the work you do directly supports the wellbeing and development of local children.

Job Description and Person Specification

What You'll Be Doing

• Preparing dining areas for lunchtime service, including moving and arranging furniture.
• Assisting with food preparation and cooking duties.
• Serving meals and drinks to pupils
• Cleaning kitchen, dining and food preparation areas.
• Clearing away after service and returning dining spaces to their original layout.
• Supporting the delivery of a safe, efficient and high-quality catering service.
• Providing cover for Unit Catering Supervisors during periods of absence, helping to ensure the smooth operation of the catering unit.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who:

• Is reliable, adaptable and ready to make a difference.
• Enjoys working as part of a team.
• Remains calm and organised during busy service periods.
• Can work independently and use their initiative when required.
• Has excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Has previous catering and food preparation experience, which is essential for this role.
• Is willing and able to travel between sites and is an essential car user.
• Can confidently step into a supervisory role when required.

Why Join Us?

• Term-time only working, giving you school holidays off.
• Family-friendly hours, Monday to Friday (Term time only).
• A supportive and welcoming team environment.
• A varied role working across different school settings.
• The opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of local children every day.
• Access to Lancashire County Council's excellent range of employee benefits.
• Lancashire County Council also offers a range of benefits, which can be found on our website here.

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

*You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability

We reserve the right to close a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications

Local Government Reorganisation

The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2028.

If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council. However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2028, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation.

Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities. By joining us now, you'll play an important role in shaping the future of local government and helping to build a strong new organisation that will serve residents for years to come.

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