Dramatize Tea Room provides adults with learning disabilities with meaningful opportunities to gain work experience, develop practical skills and prepare for paid employment. Our aim is to support every individual to take a full and active role within their community.

The successful candidate will play an important role in overseeing the day-to-day running of the Tea Room, supporting students to develop their skills and ensuring that high standards of customer service, food safety and teamwork are maintained.

Responsibilities

Supporting Students

Build and maintain positive, respectful and professional relationships with students.

Support students to develop confidence, independence and practical work-based skills.

Ensure that students’ individual needs are recognised and appropriately supported.

Provide clear instructions, encouragement and guidance to help students participate successfully in Tea Room activities.

Promote students’ independence, privacy, dignity and wellbeing at all times.

Provide personal care where required and in accordance with individual support plans and organisational procedures.

Monitor students’ engagement, progress and wellbeing, reporting any concerns promptly to the Directors.

Lead by example and ensure that all students are treated with patience, empathy and respect.

Team Supervision and Leadership

Supervise and support Tea Room staff, volunteers and students during daily operations.

Allocate tasks effectively and ensure that the team has the confidence and capability to carry out their roles.

Provide guidance, encouragement and constructive feedback to team members.

Support the induction and development of new staff, students and volunteers.

Promote positive teamwork and ensure that communication within the team is clear and effective.

Lead shifts confidently, taking responsibility for the smooth and safe running of the Tea Room.

Escalate staffing, safeguarding, health and safety or operational concerns to the Directors.

Ensure that all staff follow Dramatize’s policies, procedures and professional standards.

Tea Room Operations and Customer Service

Oversee the day-to-day running of the Tea Room, ensuring a welcoming, friendly and professional environment.

Champion excellent customer service by listening and responding appropriately to customers.

Represent Dramatize, the Tea Room and our students to a high standard in person, online and through social media.

Support the team to manage customer orders, food preparation, service and clearing tables efficiently.

Assist with stock control, ordering and monitoring the use of supplies.

Support the management of the Tea Room budget and report any concerns regarding expenditure or stock.

Use initiative to resolve day-to-day operational issues while ensuring that significant matters are reported to the Directors.

Contribute ideas for new menu items, seasonal products and improvements to the customer experience.

Help maintain a positive atmosphere that allows students, staff and customers to feel valued and supported.

Food Preparation and Quality

Demonstrate a high standard of baking and practical knowledge of working in a professional kitchen.

Monitor the presentation, quality and consistency of all products.

Identify, record and report any concerns relating to ingredients, food quality or kitchen equipment.

Ensure that appropriate food safety, hygiene, due diligence and HACCP procedures are followed.

Support students to learn safe and appropriate food preparation techniques.

Ensure that the kitchen, equipment and customer areas are kept clean, safe and organised.

Safeguarding, Health and Safety

Follow all safeguarding, health and safety, medication, food safety and risk-management procedures.

Report accidents, incidents, concerns or disclosures immediately and in line with Dramatize’s policies.

Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students, staff, volunteers and customers.

Ensure that the Tea Room remains a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

Support the completion of relevant records, checklists and monitoring documents.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will have:

Previous experience in hospitality, catering, retail or a similar customer-facing environment.

Experience supervising, leading or supporting a team.

A genuine interest in supporting adults with learning disabilities.

The ability to build positive relationships with students, colleagues, professionals and customers.

Excellent communication and listening skills.

A caring, patient, approachable and empathetic manner.

The confidence to provide leadership and direction during busy periods.

The ability to remain calm and professional when dealing with challenging situations.

A flexible and reliable approach to work.

The ability to follow policies, procedures and clear instructions.

Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise tasks.

The ability to use initiative and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Knowledge of food hygiene, health and safety and kitchen procedures.

The ability to manage stock and support budgetary control.

A passion for promoting independence, inclusion and employment opportunities for students.

Creativity and enthusiasm for developing new ideas for the Tea Room.

The willingness to provide personal care where required.

The ability and willingness to drive, where required for the role.

A food hygiene qualification, supervisory experience and relevant safeguarding or care experience would be desirable, although full training will be provided where appropriate.

Safer Recruitment Requirements

All successful candidates will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check, including a check against the Adults’ Barred List, where applicable to the role.

We will also require two satisfactory references from previous employers or education providers before employment can commence.