Cook

Active Care Group; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 15,000 - 20,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days plus bank holidays

Birthday off

Nest Personal Pension

Medicash Health Plan

Refer a Friend Scheme (£1500)

Job summary

Active Care Group is seeking a part-time Cook at Granville Lodge, Hartlepool, to join the catering team and provide nutritious meals for children and young people in care. The role focuses on a warm, supportive dining experience and safe kitchen practices within a small home environment.

You will prepare meals to menus and dietary needs, work collaboratively with staff, and contribute to mealtime routines that promote wellbeing and independence for the residents.

Qualifications

• Previous catering experience in a care, education, or healthcare setting.
• Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to undertake training).
• Strong teamwork, time management and organisation skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding and wellbeing of children.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and present meals according to planned menus and dietary requirements.
• Offer a varied, nutritious menu reflecting children’s needs and preferences.
• Ensure meals are served in a warm, homely mealtime environment.
• Assist with snacks, lunches and events; maintain hygiene and safety.
• Record temperatures and complete kitchen documentation accurately.
• Support children to develop healthy eating habits and independence.

Skills

Catering experience

Education

Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

# CookHartlepoolPart TimeCloses 12 November 2026Apply nowYou'll be taken to our application system to complete your application.## About this role**Come and join one of the UK’s largest providers in complex care. We proudly employ over 4000+ people - no matter what your experience, we have jobs for everyone.**We'd like you to join us as a Cook at Granville Lodge in Hartlepool, workingas part of the catering team to provide nutritious, balanced and enjoyable meals for the children and young people living at the service.You'll play an important role in creating a warm, nurturing, and homely dining experience, supporting the health, wellbeing and independence of the children and young people we care for.We believe Granville Lodge is a special place. It is purposely small, just nine beds, and is located in an adapted Victorian house in a quiet residential street in Hartlepool. Whilst the children staying with us have clinical needs, we have taken great care to ensure our centre still feels like a family home. Children staying with us permanently can decorate their own rooms, just as they can at home, and we encourage our young people, wherever possible, to be part of the running of their home and to try out new experiences.**What you'll be working:*** Part time* 22.5 hours* £25,400.16 (FTE) Per annum (Pro rata)**What you'll be doing:*** Support the preparation, cooking, and presentation of meals in line with planned menus and children's individual dietary requirements.* Assist in providing a varied and nutritious menu that reflects children's preferences, cultural backgrounds and nutritional needs.* Ensure meals are prepared and served in a way that promotes a positive and homely mealtime experience.* Assist with the preparation of snacks, packed lunches, special occasion meals, and refreshments for activities and events.* Ensure all food is stored, handled, prepared, and served in accordance with food hygiene and safety regulations.* Monitor and record food temperatures and complete all required kitchen documentation accurately.* Support children and young people to develop independence skills around food and healthy eating where appropriate.* Contribute to the celebration of birthdays, achievements, cultural events, and special occasions through meal preparation and catering support.* Operate kitchen equipment safely and effectively, including dishwashing equipment.* Maintain high standards of cleanliness throughout kitchen, dining, and food storage areas.**What you'll have:*** Previous catering experience* Experience of working within a residential care, education, healthcare, or children's setting.* Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to undertake training).* Good understanding of food hygiene and kitchen safety practices.* Ability to work effectively within a busy team environment.* Good organisational and time management skills.* Reliable, flexible, and professional approach to work.* Ability to communicate positively with children, young people, visitors, and colleagues.* Understanding of the importance of maintaining confidentiality.* Commitment to promoting the wellbeing of children and young people.Granville Lodge is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to understand their safeguarding responsibilities, maintain up-to-date safeguarding training, recognise and report concerns, and promote the safety and wellbeing of all children living within the home. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks and safer recruitment procedures.**What to look forward to:*** 25 days plus bank holidays* Birthday off* Join the **Active Learning Hub**and benefit from a wide range of e learning and face to face training and development opportunities* **Active Reward App** giving discounts and savings on your weekly shop* Free 24 hour confidential **Employee Assistance Programme Helpline & App**to support with legal, health, wellbeing, relationship and consumer advice* A **Nest Personal Pension** account* Access to join a **Medicash Health Plan** for you and your family to save money on everyday health essentials – like going to the dentist or opticians* We recognise outstanding **Active Behaviours** via the **Active Awards** programme* Enhanced Sick & Maternity Pay benefits* **Refer a Friend** **Scheme** and earn yourself up to **£1500** by recommending someone you know* ......and, of course, the support and guidance of our qualified clinical and business leadership teams so that you can really develop your career with Active Care Group