Location: University Hospital Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD
Salary: £12.92 per hour, plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Permanent contract, part-time (30 hours). Shifts vary by ward and may include early starts, evenings and weekends. Typical shift patterns may include 7am–2pm, 3pm–7pm and longer weekend shifts such as 7am–8pm.
Eligibility: Applicants must be aged 18-24 due to eligibility criteria for the apprenticeship.

Launch your career. Get qualified. Make a difference.

Looking for your first step into the world of work? This could be a great place to start.

As a Ward Host Apprentice, you'll be based at University Hospital Southampton, working as part of our Ward Patient Catering team while completing a Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship in Health & Social Care.

Your apprenticeship will take around 8 months and is completed alongside your role, with time to study on-the-job. You’ll gain hands-on work experience every day, with dedicated time for study and learning as part of your apprenticeship. You’ll develop practical health and social care skills, as well as the employability skills and behaviours that can help you take your next step.

So, what will you actually do?
As a Ward Host, you'll help make a difference to patients every day. You'll take meal orders using an electronic system, work with the hospital kitchen to prepare and deliver meals to wards, and make sure patients receive the right food and drinks.

You'll also be someone patients can rely on for friendly, positive service when they're in hospital. You'll work closely with patients and NHS colleagues, and being able to communicate well, show empathy and understand the importance of hygiene and dietary requirements is vital.

It's a hands-on role where no two days are the same, and you'll build practical skills and experience in customer service, hospitality, food service and healthcare.

No experience? No problem.
You don't need previous experience to apply. We're looking for people with the right attitude, a willingness to learn, and genuine care for others.We'll support you from day one with induction, role-specific training, shadowing and competency assessments, as well as experienced colleagues who'll help you build your confidence and skills.If you're ready to start earning, gain experience and build your future, we'd love to hear from you.

What you’ll do as a Ward Host Apprentice

Speak with patients, take meal orders and help them understand the available menu choices
Prepare and serve meals, snacks, hot drinks and cold refreshments safely and efficiently
Use tablet-based ordering systems and learn how to follow dietary and allergen requirements
Prepare food and beverage trolleys, check temperatures and complete the required records
Maintain a clean, safe and hygienic ward kitchen and patient dining environment
Work closely with colleagues and clinical teams to provide a welcoming and respectful service

Does this sound like you?

You’re friendly, approachable and comfortable speaking with different people
You care about delivering a positive experience and treating everyone with dignity and respect
You’re reliable, organised and able to work as part of a busy team
You’re willing to learn, follow instructions and take responsibility for your development
You understand that a hospital can be fast-paced and emotionally challenging, and you’ll ask for support when you need it

What you’ll learn
You’ll begin with a structured induction covering Serco, the hospital environment, employee responsibilities, infection prevention and control, health and safety, safeguarding, customer service and communication. Your role-specific training will include food hygiene, allergen awareness, nutrition, beverage trolley operation, meal ordering systems and tablet-based ordering. You’ll also shadow experienced colleagues, receive feedback and coaching, and complete competency checks before working independently.

This apprenticeship is an opportunity to earn while you learn, develop transferable skills and gain experience in a busy healthcare environment. Whether this is your first job or your first step into hospitality and healthcare support, there’s space here for your ideas, your growth and your positive impact.

What we offer

25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year)
Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (we currently offer over 60 different apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including veterans, LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Vetting and checks:
This role is subject to a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. A Standard DBS check reveals both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings held on the Police National Computer (PNC).

Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.

A little bit about us:
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our inclusive recruitment commitment:
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).

For support with your application, please contact recruitmentuk@serco.com.

Serco Plc

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Ward Host Apprentice