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Cygnet; Smethwick; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Regular coaching & appraisal

Employee discount savings

24-hour free GP helpline

Discounted gym membership

Blue light discount

Free eye tests

On-site benefits including free meals

Job summary

Cygnet Raglan House is seeking a Head Chef to lead the kitchen team, delivering high-quality meals and a positive dining experience for residents. The role is 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, fixed-term for up to 12 months, based in Smethwick (B66 3ND).

The ideal candidate will have an advanced food hygiene certificate, strong leadership, and proven experience in stock ordering, budgeting, and menu planning. DBS check required and commitment to high standards.

Qualifications

• A skilled chef, preferably with experience within the care sector.
• A strong leader with a track record of managing a team.
• Experienced in stock ordering, budget management & menu planning.
• The holder of an advanced food hygiene certificate, with good personal hygiene standards.
• Polite & professional, with a positive attitude to internal & external requests at all times.
• An excellent communicator able to liaise with people at all levels.
• Dedicated and driven to deliver the best possible service.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with nursing colleagues to meet patients’ nutritional & dietary needs
• Order food supplies, plan & review menus
• Prepare, cook & serve food of the highest standard
• Organise work rotas, manage budgets & kitchen staff
• Ensure the cleanliness of the kitchen, service areas & dining room
• Maintain personal hygiene to comply with Cygnet standards & food hygiene regulations
• Ensure record-keeping is accurate & complies with regulations & Cygnet procedures
• Handle, maintain & store kitchen equipment in accordance with Cygnet procedures
• Use chemicals in line with COSHH regulations

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Menu planning

Stock ordering

Communication

Food hygiene knowledge

Education

Advanced food hygiene certificate

Job description

Helping others improve and turn their lives around – there’s no better feeling. It’s what we do for thousands of people at more than 150 sites across the UK. Be a part of it.

Cygnet Group is seeking an exceptional Head Chef with a genuine passion for food to lead the kitchen team at Cygnet Raglan House.

Working

40 hours per week, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality meals and creating a positive dining experience for the people in our care.

This position is based at Cygnet Raglan House, with working hours scheduled Monday to Friday. Specific shift patterns will be discussed during the interview process.

Please note that this is a fixed-term contract for up to 12 months.

Why Cygnet? We’ll offer you…

• Salary: £14.44 Per Hour
• Increasing to £14.74 Per Hour after 3 months
• Regular coaching & appraisal
• Expert supervision & peer support
• Employee discount savings
• 24-hour free GP helpline
• Discounted gym membership
• Blue light discount
• Free eye tests
• On-site benefits including free meals
• Plus much more

Your Day-to-Day...

• Liaise with nursing colleagues to meet patients’ nutritional & dietary needs
• Order food supplies, plan & review menus
• Prepare, cook & serve food of the highest standard
• Organise work rotas, manage budgets & kitchen staff
• Ensure the cleanliness of the kitchen, service areas & dining room
• Maintain personal hygiene to comply with Cygnet standards & food hygiene regulations
• Ensure record-keeping is accurate & complies with regulations & Cygnet procedures
• Handle, maintain & store kitchen equipment in accordance with Cygnet procedures
• Use chemicals in line with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations

You are...

• A skilled chef, preferably with experience within the care sector
• A strong leader with a track record of managing a team
• Experienced in stock ordering, budget management & menu planning
• The holder of an advanced food hygiene certificate, with good personal hygiene standards
• Polite & professional, with a positive attitude to internal & external requests at all times
• An excellent communicator able to liaise with people at all levels
• Dedicated and driven to deliver the best possible service

Please note that successful candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Head Chef

Company: Cygnet

Salary: £14.44 to £14.99 an hour

Hours: Full-time

Location: Smethwick, B66 3ND

Job type: Contract

Posting date: 4 Sept 2026

Closing date: 3 Oct 2026

Summary

Helping others improve and turn their lives around – there’s no better feeling. It’s what we do for thousands of people at more than 150 sites across the UK. Be a part of it.

Cygnet Group is seeking an exceptional Head Chef with a genuine passion for food to lead the kitchen team at Cygnet Raglan House.

Working

40 hours per week, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality meals and creating a positive dining experience for the people in our care.

This position is based at Cygnet Raglan House, with working hours scheduled Monday to Friday. Specific shift patterns will be discussed during the interview process.

Please note that this is a fixed-term contract for up to 12 months.

If you are a dedicated and talented chef looking to make a meaningful difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Cygnet Raglan House is a 25 bed high support inpatient rehabilitation (level 2) service for women. The service is designed to provide an environment that promotes mental health recovery by focusing on space, personal privacy and dignity. Women admitted to the service often come from multiple placement breakdowns, failed treatment programmes or are stepping down from secure settings.

Why Cygnet? We’ll offer you…

• Salary: £14.44 Per Hour
• Increasing to £14.74 Per Hour after 3 months
• Regular coaching & appraisal
• Expert supervision & peer support
• Employee discount savings
• 24-hour free GP helpline
• Discounted gym membership
• Blue light discount
• Free eye tests
• On-site benefits including free meals
• Plus much more

Your Day-to-Day...

• Liaise with nursing colleagues to meet patients’ nutritional & dietary needs
• Order food supplies, plan & review menus
• Prepare, cook & serve food of the highest standard
• Organise work rotas, manage budgets & kitchen staff
• Ensure the cleanliness of the kitchen, service areas & dining room
• Maintain personal hygiene to comply with Cygnet standards & food hygiene regulations
• Ensure record-keeping is accurate & complies with regulations & Cygnet procedures
• Handle, maintain & store kitchen equipment in accordance with Cygnet procedures
• Use chemicals in line with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations

You are...

• A skilled chef, preferably with experience within the care sector
• A strong leader with a track record of managing a team
• Experienced in stock ordering, budget management & menu planning
• The holder of an advanced food hygiene certificate, with good personal hygiene standards
• Polite & professional, with a positive attitude to internal & external requests at all times
• An excellent communicator able to liaise with people at all levels
• Dedicated and driven to deliver the best possible service

Please note that successful candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.