Culinary / Cooking Tutor (SEND Post-16) — Flexible

Fastispeed Ltd; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

A specialist post-16 education provider is seeking a Culinary / Cooking Tutor to deliver engaging cooking sessions for SEND learners. This role offers flexibility in terms of working hours and locations in Birmingham and Walsall. Successful candidates should have experience in teaching cooking, particularly to learners with special educational needs, and a strong understanding of food safety. The position involves planning structured sessions and promoting life skills in cooking contexts. A commitment to inclusive practice is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in teaching cooking, particularly to SEND learners.
• Ability to create a calm and supportive learning environment.
• Understanding of food safety and hygiene regulations.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver cooking sessions tailored to SEND learners.
• Teach safe working practices in a kitchen environment.
• Support learners in developing independence and life skills.

Skills

Practical cookery skills

Food hygiene

Ability to work with SEND learners

Job description

Job Vacancy: Culinary / Cooking Tutor (SEND Post-16) — Flexible

British Creative Institute (BCI) – On-site at Birmingham (B44 8SF) and/or Walsall (WS3 2QW)

Start: ASAP (January 2026 start available)

Contract: Flexible – part-time, sessional, or term-time options considered

Salary: Competitive (above National Minimum Wage), dependent on experience/qualifications

About BCI

British Creative Institute (BCI) is a specialist post-16 setting supporting learners aged 16–25 with SEND. We deliver inclusive learning through practical, skills-based pathways that build confidence, independence, and progression.

The Role (Flexible – based on your strengths)

We are seeking a Culinary / Cooking Tutor to deliver engaging, accessible sessions for SEND learners. This role can be tailored to your experience and can include any combination of:

• Practical cookery skills (breakfasts, lunches, simple meals, baking)
• Food prep techniques (knife skills, weighing/measuring, timing, kitchen routines)
• Independent living cooking (budget meals, batch cooking, shopping lists, meal planning)
• Introduction to hospitality/catering (front-of-house basics, simple service, teamwork)
• Healthy eating, nutrition basics, and personal wellbeing through food
• Enterprise projects (simple “make & sell” items, costings, basic pricing)
• Small-group teaching and/or 1:1 cooking sessions for learners needing a calmer approach

Onboarding and induction will be provided to the right applicant, including support to deliver both the practical and theoretical aspects of the programme to SEND post-16 learners.

Key Responsibilities (tailored to your remit)

• Plan and deliver structured, step-by-step cooking sessions with clear routines and achievable outcomes.
• Teach safe working practices: heat safety, knife safety, food hygiene, cleaning schedules, safe storage, and supervision boundaries.
• Differentiation for a wide range of SEND needs (ASD, ADHD, SEMH, anxiety, communication needs), using visuals, checklists, modelling, and repetition.
• Support learners to build independence (setting up, tidying, washing‑up routines, teamwork, timekeeping).
• Track progress and record evidence in a simple, consistent way.
• Work closely with the SENCo and curriculum team to align learning to individual targets and EHCP outcomes (where applicable).
• Promote allergen awareness and safe handling procedures as part of daily kitchen practice. Food businesses must manage allergens effectively and ensure staff receive allergen training. (Food Standards Agency)

Applicant Requirements (Flexible)

We welcome applicants from education, hospitality, catering, community cookery, or training backgrounds.

You could be:

• A vocational tutor/lecturer or
• A chef/cook/catering professional or
• A community cookery/independence skills practitioner who can teach patiently and clearly

What matters most

• Ability to deliver calm, structured sessions and build learner confidence.
• A strong safety mindset in a teaching kitchen.
• Commitment to inclusive practice and positive relationships with learners and families.

Desirable (not essential)

• Experience working with SEND learners or young people
• Food Safety/Hygiene training (Level 2 or equivalent)
• Experience supporting learners with anxiety / low attendance / re‑engagement
• Understanding of allergen management and safe kitchen systems

Note: UK food law requires food business operators to ensure food handlers are appropriately supervised and trained in food hygiene for their role (a formal certificate is not always required, but training must be appropriate). (Food Standards Agency)

(If you’re the right person but don’t tick every box, we still want to hear from you.)

Safeguarding & Compliance

BCI is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to complete safer recruitment checks, including:

• Enhanced DBS (and Children’s Barred List check where the role is eligible/required). (GOV.UK)
• Identity and right‑to‑work checks, plus qualification/professional checks where applicable.
• References (typically two professional; we may request an additional character reference depending on the role).
• Understanding and compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (in force from 1 September 2025). (GOV.UK Assets)
• Awareness of the Prevent duty as part of safeguarding responsibilities in education settings. (GOV.UK)

Locations

• BCI Birmingham: 6 Dyas Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, B44 8SF
• BCI Walsall: Elmore Court, Elmore Road, Bloxwich, WS3 2QW

How to Apply

• Email [e-mail] with:
• CV
• Short supporting statement (your cooking/catering experience + any teaching/coaching/SEND experience + which site you can cover)
• Confirmation you can complete the required compliance checks