Catering Assistant (Term Time) - EAY11115
East Ayrshire Council
£12.96 per hour
Holmhead
Part time, permanent
The Breakroom Take
- People enjoy this job
- Good employer
- Respectful managers
About East Ayrshire Council
East Ayrshire Council is a local authority. They oversee local services.
Job description from East Ayrshire Council
Job Description
Assist in the daily preparation of food for a variety of meal plans at various establishments across East Ayrshire in order to assist with the promotion, delivery and integration of the Council’s key objectives; specifically in relation to the Community Plan, Shared Commitments, Single Outcome Agreement and Best Value.Requirements
The duties of the post involve Regulated Work with children and/or protected adults, as specified in the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. Successful applicants for such posts will be required to become a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme member in respect of Regulated Work with either or both of these groups as appropriate, or if they are already a Scheme member, be subject to a PVG Scheme Record Update, before any formal offer of employment can be made by East Ayrshire Council.Please note:- PVG members' records are constantly updated with any new vetting information that arises. Any information that is disclosed on a PVG Scheme Record or Scheme Record Update, if relevant to the post being applied for, will be discussed with the applicant prior to any formal offer of employment being made.
Responsibilities
We follow the national guidance in relation to pre-employment checks namely “Safer Recruitment Through Better Recruitment”. With regards to requests for references and in line with this guidance, during your application process you should provide details of a minimum of two appropriate and relevant references, one of which should be from your current or most recent employer. It is also a requirement that the reference from your current or most recent employer is from an appropriate senior manager and it is not a reference from a former peer operating at the same level.If you apply for this post, please add the following email address to your safe sender list to ensure that any MyJobScotland related e-mail’s go directly to your inbox - noreply@myjobscotland.gov.uk.
Additional Information
This is a permanent part time post based at Cherrytrees ECC, Cumnock.The hours are 12.5 per week working:
Monday to Friday: 11.00am - 1.30pm.
The hourly rate is £12.96
Please note that these posts are all term time.
East Ayrshire Council is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes applications from all members of the community. We encourage applicants from underrepresented groups including Black and Minority Ethnic people, disabled people and LGBT people. We are also keen to decrease occupational segregation and so encourage women to apply for managerial posts and/or roles in which they are underrepresented. East Ayrshire Council is a Disability Confident employer and a Recruit with Conviction Ambassador.
If you require further information please contact FPMRecruitment@east-ayrshire.gov.uk
Job insights from Breakroom
Kitchen and catering assistant
Kitchen porters or kitchen assistants prepare food, make sure chefs have everything they need
What you’ll do as a kitchen and catering assistant:
- Plan meals
- Prepare and cook food
- Purchase food and look after a budget
- Be responsible for the hygiene and safety of food served
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Standing
- Physical activities
- Wearing a uniform
- Cleaning
- Anti-social hours
What employees say
Pay
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Okay
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Only some people are paid a living wage
Do East Ayrshire Council pay a living wage?
Some people are not paid a living wage.
How we know this
35% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Good
-
Most people are paid market rates
Do East Ayrshire Council pay market rates?
Most people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
81% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Needs improving
-
Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do workers at East Ayrshire Council get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
86% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Good
-
Most people get sick pay
Do East Ayrshire Council pay sick pay?
Yes. Most people get proper sick pay.
How we know this
85% of people say they would get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Good
-
Most people don’t do unpaid extra work
Do workers at East Ayrshire Council do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Rarely. Most people don’t do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
100% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid work.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
-
Good
-
Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do workers at East Ayrshire Council worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
73% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Good
-
Most people get a choice of shifts
Do East Ayrshire Council workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
70% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Good
-
Easy to change shifts
How easy is it for East Ayrshire Council workers to change shifts?
Most people find it easy to change shifts.
How we know this
73% of people report that it’s easy to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
-
Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at East Ayrshire Council?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
77% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and February 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Good
-
Shifts don’t get changed at short notice
Do East Ayrshire Council managers change shifts at short notice?
Most managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
91% of people say their manager doesn’t changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Good
-
Most people find it easy to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at East Ayrshire Council?
Most people find it easy to take sick leave.
How we know this
81% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and February 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Workplace
-
Good
-
Most people feel treated with respect
Do people at East Ayrshire Council feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
82% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Okay
-
Only some people get proper breaks
Do people at East Ayrshire Council get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
38% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
-
Most people are stressed
Is it stressful to work at East Ayrshire Council?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
70% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and February 2025.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Good
-
Most people enjoy their job
Do people at East Ayrshire Council enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job.
How we know this
89% of people report they enjoy their job.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do people at East Ayrshire Council recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
48% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
-
Only some people get enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at East Ayrshire Council?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
46% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 24 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Okay
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Only some people get support to progress
Are people given support to progress at East Ayrshire Council?
Only some people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 50% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
-
Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do people think East Ayrshire Council head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
78% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and February 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Good
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Most people feel well informed by head office
Do workers feel well informed about how East Ayrshire Council is doing?
Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
71% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 24 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What East Ayrshire Council employees say about their job
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Best thing
Going home at 4pm
Worst thing
Poor management ,underpaid,equipment is poor,poor morale in yard,
Road worker at East Ayrshire Council, September 2023
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Best thing
As Little possible time of supervisors on site, job difficulty evens it’s self out holidays
Worst thing
Groundhog Day same kitchen every week just a door down,
Plasterer at East Ayrshire Council, October 2022
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