Cook

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Stafford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading social care provider in Staffordshire as a cook, where you'll create nutritious meals for adults with learning disabilities. This dynamic role involves menu planning, kitchen management, and ensuring food safety. You'll work in a supportive environment, making a positive impact on the lives of individuals and their families.

Qualifications

• Experience as a professional cook with knowledge of kitchen management.
• Ability to understand safe food hygiene and handling procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide a high-quality kitchen service for adults with learning disabilities.
• Devise nutritionally balanced and varied menus.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and comply with health regulations.

Skills

Food Hygiene

Kitchen Management

Menu Planning

Health and Safety

Infection Control

ICT Skills

Food Preparation

Literacy and Numeracy

Education

Recognised Catering Qualification

Job description

This is a diverse social care role where every day is different. For adults with learning disabilities, you’ll open the door to lives of independence, fulfilment, and joy. And your impact won’t stop there. This positive change will be felt across families and throughout the Staffordshire communities we’re proud to serve.

Staffordshire County Council are looking for motivated people who are passionate about providing outstanding food quality for adults with learning disabilities. We specialise in supporting adults with complex needs, profound and multiple learning disabilities, and behaviours that challenge. Our mission is to promote opportunities, independence and choice so individuals can thrive, and our vision is to be leaders in providing innovative and inspirational care and support.

Douglas Road is a residential respite facility for up to eight adults. The service is dynamic and caters for people with varying levels of need. People come to our service for a break and could stay for a number of days or weeks. The people we support are always changing which makes it an interesting, fast-paced and rewarding place to work. You can learn about our services via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/staffordshirelearningdisability

You will be expected to work flexibly across the week according to business need, undertaking a range of shifts that may include weekend, and bank holiday working, early morning, evenings, and split shifts. Rotas are subject to change depending on business need.

Although this role is based primarily at Douglas Road, Newcastle, there may be times when you are expected to work flexibly across Provider Services, including different care settings, delivery approaches, and locations, as required.

Main Responsibilities

1. Provide a high-quality kitchen service, recognising and catering for individual needs and preferences
2. Devise nutritionally balanced, varied and attractively presented menus, catering for specific dietary needs
3. Embrace digital by using systems, equipment, and technology to improve kitchen efficiency.
4. Ensure regular cleaning of kitchen, dining, and storage areas in line with environmental health regulations, including COSHH and HACCP requirements and assisting with inspections.
5. Maintain accurate records, whilst regularly checking food stocks and ordering provisions, ensuring costs are within budget.
6. Communicate and interact effectively with individuals, carers, colleagues, and others creating positive relationships and being inclusive of all.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for you to be passionate about providing outstanding care quality for adults with learning disabilities. What you'll bring:

• Basic food hygiene certificate
• Recognised catering qualification, or willingness to complete
• Experience as a professional cook with a knowledge of kitchen management.
• Ability and knowledge to plan a varied menu
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures including being able to demonstrate an understanding of COSHH implications for materials/supplies
• Ability to understand safe and correct food hygiene/handling procedures with a demonstrable knowledge of HACCP system
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of infection control principles (including hazard compliance)
• Be enthusiastic about working with people with learning disabilities and autism
• ICT skills to complete digital record keeping
• Food/beverage preparation skills and enthusiasm for providing nutritious meals
• Literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to plan menus, order supplies and monitor budgets.

If you already hold a catering qualification, we would love to hear from you but don’t worry if not, we are happy to support you in gaining the skills and knowledge needed for this qualification.

Interviews will be held: Wednesday 11th June at Wilmot Drive Training Centre, Newcastle Under Lyme.

If you would like to have an informal chat about this role please contact Sam Dickinson, [e-mail]

Please note that this role will require an enhanced DBS check and a pre-employment health assessment as part of the onboarding process.

This role is regulated by CQC, and it is a requirement that we obtain FULL employment history, from leaving secondary school. Please note should you be invited to interview for this role, this information will be required.