Kitchen Assistant

Kitchen Assistant – £14.80 Per Hour | Agincare | London

UK applicants only — Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position

Agincare is recruiting a Kitchen Assistant to join the team at Bluegrove House Care Home in Bermondsey, London.

This is a permanent position offering £14.80 per hour, with the role involving 30 hours per week and alternate weekend working. The successful candidate will support the chef in preparing nutritious meals and snacks for residents while helping maintain a clean, safe and welcoming dining environment.

Applicants must have a minimum of 12 months’ right to work in the UK and previous kitchen experience.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this vacancy.

Job Details

• Job Title: Kitchen Assistant
• Employer: Agincare
• Care Home: Bluegrove House Care Home
• Location: 325 Southwark Park Road, London, SE16 2JN
• Salary: £14.80 per hour
• Contract: Permanent
• Working Hours: 30 hours per week
• Working Pattern: Part-time hours, including alternate weekends
• Date Posted: 9 September 2026
• Closing Date: 9 October 2026
• Reference Number: 1549396682
• Right to Work: Minimum 12 months’ right to work in the UK required
• Previous Experience: Previous kitchen experience required
• Visa Sponsorship: Not available

About the Kitchen Assistant Position

The Kitchen Assistant will play an important role in the day-to-day operation of the kitchen at Bluegrove House Care Home.

Working alongside the chef and wider care home team, the successful candidate will help prepare balanced and nutritious meals and snacks for residents.

The role is not simply about food preparation. Mealtimes can be an important part of residents’ daily routines, and the Kitchen Assistant will help create an enjoyable, comfortable and welcoming dining experience.

Agincare is looking for someone who is reliable, organised, positive and passionate about food, with a team-focused attitude and the ability to work effectively in a care home environment.

You will need to be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team while maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

As a Kitchen Assistant, your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the chef with the preparation of meals and snacks.
• Helping prepare balanced and nutritious food for residents.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness throughout the kitchen.
• Maintaining appropriate hygiene standards.
• Following food safety requirements.
• Following COSHH guidelines.
• Complying with health and safety requirements.
• Working effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Supporting the smooth running of the kitchen.
• Helping create a welcoming dining environment.
• Engaging positively with residents.
• Bringing warmth and friendliness to residents’ mealtime experience.
• Supporting the chef and wider care team as required.

The role requires attention to detail because food preparation in a care environment must be undertaken in accordance with appropriate hygiene, safety and food-handling requirements.

Working With Residents

Although this is a kitchen-based position, the role involves interaction with residents.

Agincare highlights the importance of creating meals that residents can look forward to and helping make mealtimes enjoyable and comforting.

The successful applicant should therefore have a friendly and respectful approach when interacting with residents.

You do not need a formal care background for this particular role. The employer states that your care can be demonstrated through the meals you help prepare and the welcoming environment you help create.

Essential Requirements

Applicants should meet the requirements listed by Agincare.

Right to Work

Applicants must have a minimum of 12 months’ right to work in the UK.

This is an important requirement for international applicants and anyone whose current immigration permission is approaching expiry.

Candidates should ensure they have the appropriate UK immigration status before applying.

Kitchen Experience

Previous kitchen experience is required.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate familiarity with kitchen duties and understand the importance of cleanliness, hygiene and food safety.

Positive Team Attitude

Agincare is looking for someone with a positive, team-focused attitude.

The successful applicant should be willing to work cooperatively with chefs, colleagues and other members of the care home team.

Visa Sponsorship Information

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this job.

The employer explicitly states in the vacancy information that Agincare is currently unable to offer visa sponsorship.

Applicants who require a new Skilled Worker visa or employer sponsorship to take up this particular position should therefore not assume that sponsorship will be available.

The vacancy instead requires applicants to have a minimum of 12 months’ right to work in the UK.

This distinction is important for overseas job seekers. Although the job is advertised through NHS Jobs and is located in the UK, it is an Agincare vacancy, and the employer’s stated sponsorship policy applies.

Applicants who already have the required right to work in the UK may apply if they also meet the other requirements.

Salary and Benefits

The position offers a salary of:

£14.80 per hour

The advertised package also includes several employee benefits.

Refer a Friend Scheme

Agincare offers a refer-a-friend scheme of up to £1,000, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

Career Development

Employees can benefit from career development opportunities and fully funded training up to QCF Level 5.

This may provide opportunities for employees who want to develop their skills and progress within the care sector.

Blue Light Discount

The package includes access to a Blue Light discount package, providing eligible employees with access to participating discounts.

Company Pension

The role includes access to a company pension scheme.

On-Demand Pay

Agincare also lists on-demand pay among the benefits available with the position.

Benefits may be subject to eligibility and the employer’s terms and conditions.

Working Hours and Weekends

The position is advertised as a part-time role involving 30 hours per week.

The job requires working alternate weekends.

Candidates should therefore ensure that they are comfortable with the advertised weekend-working arrangement before applying.

Although the NHS Jobs listing displays the working pattern as full-time in one section, the detailed job description specifically states that this is a part-time position working 30 hours per week, including alternate weekends. Applicants should refer to the full vacancy and employer for clarification if necessary.

About Agincare

Agincare is a family-owned care provider that has been supporting communities across the UK for approximately 40 years.

According to the employer, Agincare has more than 5,500 team members nationwide and delivers care and support services across more than 170 locations.

The organisation provides services across the UK and operates adult services regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), while its children’s services are regulated by Ofsted.

Agincare says it is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from people from different backgrounds and experiences.

Care Leaver and Armed Forces Community

Agincare states that it is a proud supporter of the Care Leaver Covenant and the Armed Forces community.

The organisation offers guaranteed interviews to eligible applicants under its relevant commitments.

Applicants who fall within these groups should review the employer’s current recruitment information to understand whether they qualify for the guaranteed-interview provisions.

What Skills Are Important for This Role?

A successful Kitchen Assistant at a care home should be able to demonstrate several practical and interpersonal qualities.

These include:

• Reliability.
• Good organisation.
• Teamwork.
• Positive attitude.
• Previous kitchen experience.
• Good hygiene awareness.
• Understanding of food safety.
• Ability to follow health and safety procedures.
• Ability to follow COSHH requirements.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to communicate positively with residents.
• Willingness to support colleagues.
• Care and attention when preparing food.

The employer is particularly interested in applicants who understand that food preparation contributes to residents’ comfort and quality of life.

Who Can Apply?

This vacancy may be suitable for candidates who:

• Already have the legal right to work in the UK for at least 12 months.
• Have previous kitchen experience.
• Are reliable and organised.
• Enjoy working with food.
• Can work 30 hours per week.
• Can work alternate weekends.
• Have a positive and team-focused attitude.
• Are comfortable working in a residential care environment.
• Can follow food safety, hygiene, COSHH and health and safety procedures.
• Enjoy interacting respectfully with residents.

Who Should Not Apply for Sponsorship?

Applicants who require employer visa sponsorship for this role should be aware that Agincare explicitly states that sponsorship is currently unavailable.

Do not confuse the fact that the vacancy appears on NHS Jobs with an indication that the employer will sponsor international applicants.

For this particular vacancy, the stated requirement is a minimum of 12 months’ right to work in the UK.

If you are looking specifically for UK care jobs offering Skilled Worker sponsorship, you should search for vacancies where the employer explicitly confirms sponsorship eligibility.

Location

The position is based at:

Bluegrove House Care Home
325 Southwark Park Road
London
SE16 2JN
United Kingdom

The care home is located in the Bermondsey area of London.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should apply through the official NHS Jobs vacancy.

Before applying, make sure you meet the essential requirements, particularly:

1. You have at least 12 months’ right to work in the UK.
2. You have previous kitchen experience.
3. You can work 30 hours per week.
4. You are available to work alternate weekends.
5. You have a positive, team-focused attitude.

Full details + Apply:
https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/L0014-26-1679/ats-direct-apply

Application Tips

When applying for this Kitchen Assistant role, candidates should make their relevant experience clear.

If you have previously worked in a care home, hospital, restaurant, hotel, school, catering operation or another professional kitchen, explain the responsibilities you performed.

Where applicable, highlight experience with:

• Food preparation.
• Meal service.
• Kitchen cleaning.
• Food hygiene.
• Food safety.
• Health and safety.
• COSHH procedures.
• Working with chefs.
• Working as part of a team.
• Serving or interacting with customers or residents.

Applicants should also make their UK right-to-work status clear where appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this Kitchen Assistant job offer visa sponsorship?

No. Agincare explicitly states that it is currently unable to offer visa sponsorship for this vacancy.

Who can apply?

Applicants with at least 12 months’ right to work in the UK, previous kitchen experience and a positive, team-focused attitude can apply, subject to the full vacancy requirements.

What is the salary?

The advertised rate is £14.80 per hour.

How many hours will I work?

The detailed job description states that the position involves 30 hours per week.

Is weekend work required?

Yes. The position includes alternate weekend working.

Is previous kitchen experience required?

Yes. Previous kitchen experience is listed as an essential requirement.

Do I need care experience?

No specific care background is stated as a requirement. Agincare says applicants do not need a care background for this position.

Is the position permanent?

Yes. The vacancy is advertised as permanent.

Where is the job located?

The position is at Bluegrove House Care Home, 325 Southwark Park Road, London, SE16 2JN.

When does the vacancy close?

The closing date is 9 October 2026.

What is the job reference number?

The NHS Jobs reference number is 1549396682.

Key Information at a Glance

Final Reminder for Applicants

This Kitchen Assistant vacancy offers an opportunity to work in a care home environment where food preparation contributes directly to residents’ daily wellbeing and experience.

The role offers £14.80 per hour, permanent employment, 30 hours per week, career development opportunities, funded training, pension, Blue Light discounts, on-demand pay and a refer-a-friend scheme.

However, this is not a visa sponsorship vacancy. Agincare clearly states that it is currently unable to offer visa sponsorship and requires applicants to have a minimum of 12 months’ right to work in the UK.

Candidates who meet the requirements should submit their application before the 9 October 2026 closing date.

Source and Disclaimer

Source: NHS Jobs / Agincare.

This article is provided for informational and job-search purposes. Vacancy details, eligibility requirements, working arrangements, benefits and closing dates can change. Applicants should always check the official vacancy before applying.