Bank Band 2 Catering Assistant

Employer Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Bank Shifts Across BCHFT Sites Town Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall Salary £25,272 per annum (pro rata) Salary period Yearly Closing 21/10/2026 23:59

Bank Band 2 Catering Assistant

Bank Band 2

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is growing and changing. We provide specialist mental health, learning disability and community services across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. We’re looking for people who care about others, take responsibility, treat people with respect and have the confidence to speak up and shape what comes next.

We’re focused on the future, with a clear Trust Strategy and our Best for the Black Country programme driving improvement across our services and communities.

What we do

• Adult and older adult mental health
• Children and young people’s mental health
• Specialist learning disability services
• Community healthcare for children, young people and families in Dudley

We’ve got real momentum. Clear priorities and our Best for the Black Country work mean things are moving in the right way, fast.

Our culture is built around being compassionate, accountable, respectful and empowering each other – you’ll see this in how teams support patients and colleagues every day.You’ll be looked after. Flexible working, family-friendly policies, supportive teams, proper wellbeing support and opportunities to learn and develop.

There’s room to grow. A wide range of services, space to try ideas and a voice that’s heard.

It’s a great place to live. Diverse communities, good transport links, strong schools and green space, with a lower cost of living than many city regions.

What it’s like to work here

You’ll join friendly, skilled teams who look out for each other. We plan together, share pressures and celebrate wins. You’ll be encouraged to take ownership, speak up and learn from experience. New starters get a warm welcome and clear induction; early careers colleagues have preceptorship and buddying; experienced staff can lead, teach and innovate.

Who we are

We’re 4,000+ colleagues from many backgrounds, committed to improving health and wellbeing for our communities and for each other. If you’re interested in the role but don’t meet every requirement, please apply — we value potential, different perspectives and people who want to grow.

As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application — especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions — is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from veterans, reservists, service leavers, military spouses and members of the wider Armed Forces community. We recognise the valuable skills, experience and attributes developed through military service and are committed to supporting the Armed Forces community in their careers.

Job overview

The role of the Catering Assistant is to work within the Trust Facilities Management structure to ensure that the Catering service delivers a high quality and safe service to patients, visitors, and staff.

Main duties of the job

The Catering Assistant will report to the Facilities Supervisor – Catering on each site.

The role of the Catering Assistant is to work within the Trust Facilities Management structure to ensure that the Catering service delivers a high quality and safe service to patients, visitors, and staff.

Critical to the success of the role shall be the providing of a service that is safe, efficient and which is delivered to a high quality. Full compliance to Food Hygiene regulations and Trust Policy will mean all staff will be expected to comply with HACCP and to complete training as required.

The catering assistant will enhance the patient experience by ensuring that meals are provided in accordance with Patient nutritional and social needs. Good communication between the ward and kitchen is essential.

Working for our organisation

Are you passionate about delivering positive change to the people of the Black Country?Do you want to work with a talented workforce to meet new challenges and improve care for our local communities?

Then our Trust is the place for you.

We employ over 3,000 members of staff and just like the population we serve, we are made up of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

We take pride in supporting, developing and engaging with our workforce. Staff engagement, recognition and wellbeing are vital to the success of our organisation, and we strive to provide a setting in which our staff can showcase their skills, innovative solutions and dedication to healthcare.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To work as a member of the kitchen team ensuring a high standard of service to patients, staff and visitor paying particular attention to hand hygiene, temperature control and cross contamination.

To assist in the preparation and serving of meals and associated tasks, taking into consideration portion control, presentation and temperature control for patients, staff, and visitors

To assist in the service delivery and preparation of special functions and hospitality

To operate tills and handle cash in accordance with recommended prices and comply with standing financial instructions and ensuring compliance with hand washing when handling cash and food.

To operate machinery such as dishwasher ensuring all equipment/crockery and cutlery is cleaned at appropriate temperatures. To be aware of knife safety skills

To undertake cleaning of premises and equipment as requested throughout the dept. In strict adherence to cleaning schedules and COSHH regulations.

To assist in the receipt, rotation and storage of food and none-food items taking into consideration BCPFT food hygiene policy and all health and safety policies and safe methods of work.

Immediately report any failure of equipment or failure to comply with food safety standards

To record and check temperature of fridges and freezers as directed by the Catering Team Leader.

To clean and stock vending machines within the hospital site and report any damage or safety issues to the Catering Team Leader.

To assist in the delivery of meals and supplies to wards.

When serving in the café or restaurants ensure that counters are fully stocked

Be responsible for ensuring complaints are dealt with sensitively and in accordance with the Trusts standards, taking corrective action where necessary and ensuring lessons learned are communicated, understood, and applied.

Responsible for upholding all Infection Prevention and Control measures as required within the Trust.

Responsible for ensuring that all domestic consumables are always available in the kitchen in the appropriate dispenser/holder.

Responsible for undertaking ad hoc cleaning tasks as required by the Facilities Supervisor – Catering

Responsible for undertaking catering tasks as per the work schedule ensuring that all Food Hygiene and Health & Safety Legislation are adhered to.

Responsible for ensuring there are always sufficient ward provisions and snack boxes.

Support requests for special requirements for patients and communicate to the Facilities Supervisor – Catering or Site Facilities Co-ordinator.

To ensure the collection and removal of all goods and waste from the kitchen

Be compassionate to patient meal requirements showing patience and not rushing meal service delivery.

Person specification

Experience

• At least 6 months paid work Experience as a Catering Assistant
• Experience in Mental Health Settting

Experience

• At least 6 months paid Experience as a Catering Assistant
• qualification

Pay and contracts

Most NHS roles are paid under NHS Agenda for Change. With us, your starting point is set against the advertised band and your relevant NHS service, with progression through annual increments.

Medical and Very Senior Manager roles follow separate national pay frameworks, not Agenda for Change. Details are provided in each advert and during recruitment.

Standards and checks

• Clinical posts up to and including Band 4 are expected to hold the Care Certificate. If you don’t have it yet, we’ll support you to complete it in post.
• Some roles require a Standard or Enhanced DBS check under part V of the Police Act 1997. Having a criminal record won’t automatically prevent employment – we consider the role and individual circumstances.
• We are an equal opportunities employer, offer flexible working, and are a smoke-free Trust.

Inclusion, equality and adjustments

• We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated with dignity, feels respected and is able to thrive.
• We are an anti-racist, disability-inclusive and LGBTQ+-inclusive Trust.
• We welcome applications from under-represented groups and people with lived experience relevant to our services.
• Disabled applicants can request consideration under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme where essential criteria are met, and you can ask for reasonable adjustments at any stage.

Our culture and values

Best for the Black Country is our improvement journey. Our values Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful and Empowered guide how we work every day.

That means:

• taking time to understand people and respond with kindness
• being open and taking responsibility for our actions
• listening and valuing different perspectives
• supporting each other to speak up, improve and make a difference

You’ll see this in how teams work together and in the impact you can have on local people.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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