Cafe Assistant

We are looking for an enthusiastic Café Assistant to work at The School House Café in Bermondsey while helping support the development of young people with autism.

The School House Café is in a lovely cosy Victorian building adjacent to Spa School which provides high quality food and coffee to the community as well as work experience for young people with autism. The café is currently open on weekdays but will be opening on weekends from late May 2014 as part of a pilot project with CareTrade.

The School House Café is a 23 seat café serving a simple range of food mostly consisting of delicious sandwiches, salads, pastries, cakes and hot and cold drinks. Much of the food will be prepared on site, although some food will be brought in. Young people from around Southwark aged 16-25 with autism will be working in the café at any particular time to get experience in a range of café tasks including food preparation and customer service. The young people will generally be supported by members of staff, although some able students will be able to work more independently.

The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills and a strong interest or experience in supporting young people with autism. We are looking for someone flexible who can act as an excellent mentor for our students.

Shifts will be 18 hours per week over Saturday and Sunday for 9 weekends from May and July (plus training) and 9 weekends from September to November. Pay is £8-10 per hour subject to experience.

Job Description

•To help train young adults on work experience
•To create a welcoming and professional environment
•To work closely with the school to develop the café
•To help raise awareness of autism amongst customers
•To keep the café clean and ensure a high standard of hygiene
•To ensure food safety guidelines and laws are adhered to
•To ensure a Healthy and Safe working environment for self, staff, volunteers and customers

Person Specification

•Knowledge of autism - (Essential)
•Ability to support and mentor young people with autism – (Essential)
•Excellent communication skills - (Essential)
• Well presented - (Essential)
• Experience of handling cash - (Essential)
• Experience of working in a café – (Desirable)
•Understanding of food hygiene and preparation - (Desirable)

Shifts will be 18 hours per week over Saturday and Sunday for 9 weekends from May and July (plus training) and 9 weekends from September to November. Pay is £8-10 per hour subject to experience.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who use our services and as such expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All our posts are therefore subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

CareTrade believes passionately that all young people should be given the opportunity to reach their potential and lead fulfilling lives.

1 in 100 children have an autistic spectrum condition that is over 8,000 school leavers every year: 800 of them live in London. Currently less than 25% go on to further or higher education and only 15 % of all adults with autism work and just 4% go on to live independently.

There is evidence that with the right support many, many more of these young people are able and would like to work and to play an active part in their community. And for those whose autism limits their ability to become fully independent, they too need more choices and opportunities to live full and happy lives.