Catering Learning Support Assistant (Aylesbury)

Centre: NMT Bucks & Herts (Aylesbury) Employer: New Meaning Training Salary: Salary negotiable and based on experience Type: Permanent, Full-time, Term Time Only Hours: 37.5 hours per week Schedule: Monday to Friday 08:30-16:30 Closing Date: 13/07/2026 12:00 am Job Reference: BUCCATLSA062601 Not every young person finds their place in a classroom. For some, sitting still, copying notes, or being told how to do things hasn't worked. Over time, that can knock confidence-and it can start to feel like they're the problem. We see something different. At New Meaning Training, we work with young people who need a more practical, hands-on way to re-engage. In Catering, that means learning through doing-working together, building routines, and seeing real progress over time. We're looking for a Learning Support Assistant to work alongside our tutors in the kitchen. You'll support young people as they learn skills like preparation, teamwork and communication-helping them take part, stay engaged, and keep going when things feel difficult. Some days will be busy. Some days things won't go to plan. What matters is that you stay steady, keep relationships strong, and help young people find a way forward that works for them. Key Responsibilities

• Support learners during catering sessions, helping them take part safely and confidently
• Work 1:1 and in small groups, adapting to different needs, abilities and levels of confidence
• Help create a calm, structured environment in the kitchen
• Encourage participation, teamwork and independence
• Support learners to follow instructions, routines and food safety practices
• Build trusting relationships with young people, taking time to understand what works for them
• Respond calmly and consistently to behaviour that can feel challenging
• Assist tutors with preparation, setup and clean-down of practical sessions
• Support the development of Maths and English through practical learning
• Help maintain clear records of learner engagement and progress
About us New Meaning Training offers education with a difference. We work with young people aged 15-25 who haven't always had a straightforward experience of education. Some have been misunderstood, some have disengaged, and some are still working out where they fit. What they find here is something steadier - a place where there's time to settle in, where expectations are clear, and where they're not judged on what's gone before. We now operate across six centres in High Wycombe (our HQ), Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, Reading, Stratford-upon-Avon and Nuneaton, supporting around 320 learners in the 2026-2027 academic year. Across all centres, we offer a growing range of "Introduction to" programmes, with several new courses launching this September. These courses - spanning areas such as Motor Mechanics, Construction, Hair & Beauty, Creative Arts, Computing, Sport, Retail and Hospitality - are designed to give young people the chance to try things out properly, build practical skills, and start to see what they might be good at. Everything is grounded in learning through doing, with a focus on making education feel possible from the start. Each of our centres has its own rhythm, but there's a shared way of working across the organisation. Teams are close-knit, supportive, and practical - people step in for each other, share ideas, and keep things moving on days that don't go to plan (which happens). There's a steady sense that everyone's working towards the same thing. There are also moments that don't feel like a typical education setting at all. From wellbeing activities to calm, flexible approaches to the day, we create an environment where young people can feel settled enough to take part. It's not a headline feature - it just reflects the kind of place this is. Alongside our centre-based provision, we run a Transition Support programme for young people with an EHCP who are not yet ready for that environment. This sits separately from our main delivery and is designed to help them move towards their next step at a pace that works for them. Most of the young people we work with are referred through schools, PRUs and SEND services. That means we're always balancing two things - creating an experience where young people feel understood, while also delivering something clear, structured and trusted by the professionals around them. We don't expect things to change overnight. We focus on helping things feel possible again - and building from there. Why work for New Meaning Training? Generous annual leave
• 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Up to 10 additional "gifted" days off each year (taken during school holiday periods)
• Annual leave increases with length of service, up to a maximum of 24 days
Pension
• Auto enrolment into The People's Pension
• 5% employee contribution with 3% employer contribution
Blue Light Card
• Access to hundreds of national discounts (retail, food, travel, days out)
• Admin fee fully reimbursed by NMT
Service recognition
• Additional annual leave as a thank you for long service
• Gift rewards at key milestones (e.g. 5 and 10 years)
Wellbeing benefits
• Annual flu vaccination voucher (paid for by NMT)
• Birthday gift voucher to celebrate your day
Sustainable travel schemes
• Cycle to Work scheme (salary sacrifice)
• Electric Vehicle scheme via Octopus Energy (salary sacrifice)
• Green Travel to Work initiatives with rewards for taking part
A supportive, values-led workplace
• Strong focus on staff wellbeing, development, and collaboration
• Training and CPD supported as part of your role
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in young people's lives
How to Apply & Safeguarding To apply, please visit newmeaning.training/careers. To be considered for this role, you must fill in our mandatory online application form and attach a CV to complete your submission. New Meaning Training is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and adhere to our safeguarding and professional conduct policies.
• Checks: This post involves regulated activity and is subject to an Enhanced DBS check (including a Children's Barred List check) and satisfactory professional references.
• Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA): This role is exempt from the ROA 1974. Applicants must disclose all convictions and cautions that are not 'protected' under the Exceptions Order 1975 (as amended 2013 and 2020). For guidance on which offences are 'filtered' and do not need to be disclosed, please refer to the DBS filtering guide.
You will have: You don't need to have worked in this exact role before. If you've got experience with young people and the right attitude, we will support you to develop. Essential
• Experience working with young people
• An interest in catering, food preparation or practical learning
• Experience supporting young people with SEND and/or SEMH needs
• A calm, patient and consistent approach
• Ability to build rapport with young people who may feel disengaged
• Willingness to work towards a Level 3 teaching qualification
• Level 2 Maths and English
Desirable (but not essential)
• Experience in a kitchen or catering environment
• Food hygiene knowledge or qualification
• Understanding of trauma-informed or relational approaches
  
  You don't need to have worked in this exact role before. If you've got experience with young people and the right attitude, we will support you to develop.
Essential
• Experience working with young people
• An interest in catering, food preparation or practical learning
• Experience supporting young people with SEND and/or SEMH needs
• A calm, patient and consistent approach
• Ability to build rapport with young people who may feel disengaged
• Willingness to work towards a Level 3 teaching qualification
• Level 2 Maths and English
Desirable (but not essential)
• Experience in a kitchen or catering environment
• Food hygiene knowledge or qualification
• Understanding of trauma-informed or relational approaches
  
  At New Meaning Training, we work with young people who need a more practical, hands-on way to re-engage. In Catering, that means learning through doing-working together, building routines, and seeing real progress over time., New Meaning Training offers education with a difference. We work with young people aged 15-25 who haven't always had a straightforward experience of education. Some have been misunderstood, some have disengaged, and some are still working out where they fit. What they find here is something steadier - a place where there's time to settle in, where expectations are clear, and where they're not judged on what's gone before.
We now operate across six centres in High Wycombe (our HQ), Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, Reading, Stratford-upon-Avon and Nuneaton, supporting around 320 learners in the 2026-2027 academic year. Across all centres, we offer a growing range of "Introduction to" programmes, with several new courses launching this September. These courses - spanning areas such as Motor Mechanics, Construction, Hair & Beauty, Creative Arts, Computing, Sport, Retail and Hospitality - are designed to give young people the chance to try things out properly, build practical skills, and start to see what they might be good at. Everything is grounded in learning through doing, with a focus on making education feel possible from the start. Each of our centres has its own rhythm, but there's a shared way of working across the organisation. Teams are close-knit, supportive, and practical - people step in for each other, share ideas, and keep things moving on days that don't go to plan (which happens). There's a steady sense that everyone's working towards the same thing. There are also moments that don't feel like a typical education setting at all. From wellbeing activities to calm, flexible approaches to the day, we create an environment where young people can feel settled enough to take part. It's not a headline feature - it just reflects the kind of place this is. Alongside our centre-based provision, we run a Transition Support programme for young people with an EHCP who are not yet ready for that environment. This sits separately from our main delivery and is designed to help them move towards their next step at a pace that works for them.

Most of the young people we work with are referred through schools, PRUs and SEND services. That means we're always balancing two things - creating an experience where young people feel understood, while also delivering something clear, structured and trusted by the professionals around them. We don't expect things to change overnight. We focus on helping things feel possible again - and building from there. Why work for New Meaning Training? Generous annual leave
• 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Up to 10 additional "gifted" days off each year (taken during school holiday periods)
• Annual leave increases with length of service, up to a maximum of 24 days
Pension
• Auto enrolment into The People's Pension
• 5% employee contribution with 3% employer contribution
Blue Light Card
• Access to hundreds of national discounts (retail, food, travel, days out)
• Admin fee fully reimbursed by NMT
Service recognition
• Additional annual leave as a thank you for long service
• Gift rewards at key milestones (e.g. 5 and 10 years)
Wellbeing benefits
• Annual flu vaccination voucher (paid for by NMT)
• Birthday gift voucher to celebrate your day
Sustainable travel schemes
• Cycle to Work scheme (salary sacrifice)
• Electric Vehicle scheme via Octopus Energy (salary sacrifice)
• Green Travel to Work initiatives with rewards for taking part
A supportive, values-led workplace
• Strong focus on staff wellbeing, development, and collaboration
• Training and CPD supported as part of your role
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in young people's lives