Job Title: Café Assistant

Parklea Branching Out (PBO) is a registered Scottish Charity, established in 1997, providing a valuable community resource within Port Glasgow, Inverclyde.  We support local people with learning disabilities and other complex support needs. Through a programme of therapeutic horticulture we provide structured, meaningful and progressive activities. Our aim is to empower our clients to become valued members of their local community.  

In October 2024 PBO opened Branches Café. The creation of a café within the existing site has allowed PBO to expand the opportunities for learning, training and development. Within Branches café we provide real training opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism who are looking to gain experience and skills with a view to progressing into employment or further education.

The first few months of operation has seen the café develop a strong customer base, establishing itself as popular destination, providing excellent food and a great customer experience while demonstrating that young adults with additional support needs have much to contribute to our community. To allow us to continue and grow the service we are looking to recruit a further member of staff to join our team.

This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for the right person who enjoys engaging with the public and supporting others to achieve their potential. It is envisaged that the successful applicant will work across both front of house, taking orders and serving customers and assisting our experienced chef in the kitchen with prep and service.  In both environments supporting the trainees to be fully involved in all tasks is the primary goal.

The Café Assistant will work closely with the Café Chef, Development Officer and our committed and dedicated team of volunteers to ensure the smooth operation of the café for both the trainees and the customers.

Hours:  35 hours per week

Starting Salary: £22,222 per annum

Reporting to: The Community Hub/Café Development Officer

Based at: Parklea Branching Out, Port Glasgow

Closing Date: Friday 14th February 2025 at 12noon

Interviews: Wednesday 19th February 2025KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

To assist in the day-to-day running of the café with support from the Café Development Officer, Chef and volunteers, ensuring it runs efficiently and professionally, with consistent and high-quality customer service.

To ensure that the café environment will be an inclusive learning experience which enables people with additional support needs to develop their skills for their future. 

To comply with health and safety and food hygiene legislation and assist the Trainees and Volunteers to do likewise.

Person Specification

Education & Training

•          First Aid Certificate - desirable

•          Qualification in Social Care or equivalent - desirable

•          Food hygiene certificate level 2 - desirable

Experience

•          Experience of working in a busy food service environment - Essential

•          Experience of providing high standards of customer service - Essential

•          Experience of working with/leading volunteers - Desirable

•          Involvement in community-based projects/activities - Desirable

•          Experience of supporting vulnerable people - Desirable

Skills & Attributes

•          Ability to use own initiative - Essential

•          To be flexible - Essential

•          Excellent numeracy skills - Essential

•          Excellent organisational skills - Essential

•          Excellent customer care skills - Essential

•          Ability to encourage and motivate others - Essential

Values and Attitudes

•          Honest, reliable and trustworthy, respecting confidentiality  - Essential

•          Good team player with the ability to work collaboratively - Essential

•          Energetic, resourceful and a positive ‘can do attitude’  - Essential

•          Self-motivated, practical and able to juggle competing priorities - Essential

•          Patient, empathic and understanding - Essential

•          Be committed to empowering people with additional support needs - Essential

Knowledge and Other

•          A Full Driving Licence with Business Insurance - Desirable

•          Knowledge of health and safety - Desirable

•          Knowledge of the challenges faced by young adults with additional support needs when moving on from school - Desirable

Note:

This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the main duties and responsibilities of the post.   PBO is a charity providing a varied number of opportunities to its client base and as such a flexible approach to the duties of the post is essential.  It should be appreciated that the job content may vary over time due to changes in legislation, funding and other external factors.  Every effort will be made to continually update the job description, but the post holder may be required to carry out other duties deemed necessary by the centre management.

All Posts:

  • All staff are required to comply with Parklea Branching Out Terms and Conditions of Service.

  • All staff are required to familiarise themselves with all relevant Parklea Branching Out policies, guidelines and procedures and apply them in practice.

  • All staff must ensure a healthy and safe place of work for all employees, clients, volunteers and members of the public through maintaining Health and Safety Standards and Procedures throughout the Centre.  All work must be undertaken in accordance with the Parklea Branching Out’s Health and Safety Management System, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and other relevant legislation, codes of practice and guidance.

  • All staff members are expected to undertake any other reasonable duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post or as may be required by management.

  • All staff must be willing to undertake further training.

  • All staff must make a significant contribution to the Parklea Branching Out team.

  • All staff must be willing to be flexible on their approach and be willing to work the occasional evening or weekend shift in support of the service.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of this post please contact us on 01475 744 516 (main office) or 01475 904845 (Branches Café) and ask to speak to Hazel Boulton who will be happy to have an inform chat with you.

To apply: Please send an up to date CV and a covering statement explaining why you would be the most suitable candidate for this post to admin@parkleaassociation.org.uk  by Closing date Friday 14th February 2025.  Interviews will be held week commencing 17th February 2025 at Parklea Branching Out, Parklea Playing Fields, Greenock Road, Port Glasgow, PA14 6TR.