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Job summary

Main area
Catering
Grade
3
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity leave cover)
Hours
18.75 hours per week (Part time - weekdays and weekends - mixture of early (10am-2pm) and late (4-7pm) shifts)
Job ref
455-NLFT-8151704-A
Employer
North London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Iris Ward, Blossom Court, St Ann's Hospital
Town
London
Salary
£30,630 - £32,346 Pro rata Inclu HCAS
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
12/11/2026 23:59

Employer heading

North London NHS Foundation Trust logo

Catering Assistant for Specialist Eating Disorder Unit

3

Thank you for your interest in North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT).

As of 1 April 2026, NLFT has formally merged with Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust—marking the start of an exciting new chapter. This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation at a time of transformation, where we are strengthening access to mental health services, responding more effectively to complex and specialist needs, and advancing our work in education, research and innovation.

By bringing together our combined expertise, we are building a stronger, more collaborative Trust—one that delivers consistent, high-quality care and improved outcomes for the diverse communities we serve.

At the heart of our approach is The North London Way. We are committed to:

  • Working collaboratively at every level, guided by our shared values
  • Shaping a positive, inclusive culture where staff and service users thrive
  • Empowering our teams with the skills, tools and autonomy to drive meaningful change
  • Delivering excellence and continuously improving the quality of care we provide
  • Embedding research, innovation and technology across our services
  • Taking a trauma-informed approach in everything we do

We are proud to be an inclusive employer that values diversity. We actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly from our local communities, and are committed to creating opportunities for everyone—including apprentices, veterans and care leavers.

The North London Way to deliver: Better Mental Health, Better Lives, Better Communities.

Our trust website is:  https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk/ 

As a values‑driven Trust, we recruit through our values. Our selection processes focus on behaviours, attitudes, and examples that reflect our organisational values and commitment to compassionate, high‑quality care.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technology that can perform various tasks that typically required human intelligence. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role.

We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.

Further guidance can be found in the NLPSS Applicant Toolkit  https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.

North London NHS Foundation Trust is committed to ensuring that its recruitment processes are carried out with integrity, transparency, and fairness for all applicants. To help maintain these standards, we ask candidates to provide accurate and truthful information throughout the recruitment process.

If incorrect or misleading information is identified, this may affect the progression of an application, any employment offer, or continued employment. As part of our due diligence, the company may verify the information provided by applicants and take appropriate action where necessary.

We do not charge applicants any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including applications, interviews, sponsorship arrangements, pre-employment checks, or employment offers. All vacancies are advertised through TRAC/NHS Jobs and candidates are assessed solely on their skills, qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role. If you are asked to make a payment in connection with an NHS job opportunity, please treat this as suspicious and contact the organisation directly using the details published on our official career's website.

Applicants can refer to the Fraud Act 2006 for further information: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/35/contents

Job overview

Iris Ward is part of the comprehensive Eating Disorder Service provided at St Ann’s Hospital in Haringey, as part of North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT).  As well as inpatient care, St Ann’s Eating Disorder Service (SAEDS) also comprises a large outpatient department and a day programme, providing care and treatment to those with eating disorders.

Iris Ward is a QED accredited service, rated as ‘Good’ by the CQC in September 2019. We are seeking to recruit enthusiastic and dynamic Catering Assistant to be part of our team Eating Disorder Service on Iris Ward.  Iris Ward is a 20 bedded inpatient unit for the care and treatment of adults who have eating disorders. 

This is an exciting opportunity to gain experience in this interesting and specialised area of mental health care.  The Catering Assistant role on Iris Ward is ideal for someone who is motivated and is inspired to instil positive change, as well ensuring that patient nutritional needs are met.

You can also see us featured on Louis Theroux's Talking to Anorexia on BBC iPlayer.

We will ensure that you are provided with the additional skills and knowledge required to provide excellent care and you will be supported through an induction period when you start. Other benefits include generous annual leave entitlement and salary sacrifice schemes (including cars, bicycles and home electronics).

 

Main duties of the job

To deliver a meal service to patients on the eating disorder unit, either by cooking or plating meals and ensuring that both presentation standards and portioning guidance are met. To carry out dishwashing duties, cleaning of equipment and cleaning of the kitchen and associated areas.

The postholder will at behave and align with our Trusts’ values and behaviours.

In order to meet the needs of NLFT services you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that falls under NLFT. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.

Working for our organisation

North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people.

Our Five-Year Strategy:  

  1.  We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.
  2. With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all
  3. We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.
  4.  We will be more effective as an organisation by pioneering research, quality improvement and technology. 

Why NLFT?

  • We develop and retain our staff through leadership behaviours and managers programme and many more opportunities.
  • We promote flexible working and support staff with a range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
  • NHS Discounts, generous annual leave and NHS pension scheme
  • Excellent internal staff network

The post holder will be aligned with our values:

  • We Are Kind
  • We Are Respectful
  • We Work Together
  • We Keep Things Simple
  • We Empower
  • We Are Proudly Diverse

In order to meet the needs of the Trust you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please  see the job description for a full in depth  break down of your main duties and responsibilities. 

Person specification

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

Essential criteria
  • Experience working in a catering environment
Desirable criteria
  • Good general education

EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Essential criteria
  • Good customer care skills Must be physically fit as the post is physically demanding
Desirable criteria
  • Experience working in large scale catering

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential criteria
  • • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing • Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team as well as autonomously

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleJob share policyAge positiveImproving working livesCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare Leaver CovenantStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthAccredited Living Wage Employer

Applicant requirements

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Anuja Malde
Job title
Lead Dietian
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
02087026240

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
Candi & Tavi
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