Job Ref: AUR1606
Branch: The Oaks Care Home
Location: The Oaks Care Home, Colchester
Salary/Benefits: £12.71 per hour
Contract type: Casual
Hours: Part Time
Shift pattern: Includes weekend hours
Hours per week: Bank hours - 0 hour contract
Posted date: 07/07/2026
Closing date: 07/08/2026
Are you passionate about making a difference in your local community?
Do you enjoy working in a kitchen environment and want to be part of a supportive care team?
We are looking for a dedicated and reliable Kitchen Assistant to join our friendly team within a warm and welcoming care home setting.
As a Kitchen Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting the smooth running of the kitchen and ensuring a clean, safe, and pleasant dining experience for our residents.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in line with COSHH guidelines
- Washing up and caring for kitchen equipment
- Cleaning kitchen surfaces, floors, and adhering to the dishwasher cleaning schedule
- Preparing and setting up tea trolleys throughout the day
- Assisting with serving food and supporting residents where needed
- Clearing food trays and keeping dining areas tidy
- Emptying bins and managing waste disposal
- Laying tables in the dining room
- Preparing and serving drinks and refreshments for visitors and relatives
- Supporting the kitchen team with general duties as required
To be successful in this role, you will:
- Have previous experience as a Kitchen Assistant (essential)
- Be able to work both independently and as part of a team
- Have strong communication and organisational skills
- Be proactive, reliable, and able to prioritise tasks effectively
- Show a caring and respectful approach when working around residents
- £12.71 per hour
- Bank hours per week, flexible hours
- 28 days annual leave (pro rata, including bank holidays)
- Free DBS (terms apply)
- Free on-site parking
- Life Insurance
- Company pension scheme
- Wagestream – access your pay when you need it
- Employee Assistance Programme – mental health wellbeing support
- Free training and development (including fully funded apprenticeships)
- Annual salary review
- Refer-a-friend scheme (up to £750 reward)
Aurem Care is proud to have been recognised as a Top 20 Care Home Group by carehome.co.uk.
Our homes are built on a simple belief: people caring for people. We are committed to creating happy, supportive environments for our residents and our teams.
Our values guide everything we do:
Diversity | Integrity | Fun | Commitment | Connection
Please note: Aurem Care is not a sponsoring organisation – applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
If you’re looking for a rewarding role where you can make a real difference every day, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now!
The Oaks care home in Colchester provides expert, warm, person-centred care for up to 61 older people who require dementia, nursing or residential support.The Oaks has a beautifully decorated and homely feel. There’s always a full diary of fun social events and activities, thanks to our dedicated activities co-ordinators. Mealtimes are carefully planned with delicious, fresh food cooked on-site and our fully trained, friendly team of carers and nurses are on hand 24/7, whenever needed. The home is spacious and with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, bedrooms are beautifully decorated, while the coffee lounge, cinema lounge and open-plan dining room offer the perfect place for you to relax or socialise in. We have the added benefit of being surrounded by large gardens and well-manicured lawns, which were created by award winning gardener, author and lecturer, Beth Chatto.
