DescriptionEmployerLocation
Assistant Cook in a new SEN provision
Location: Horsham, West Sussex
Contract Type: Permanent, part-time, term time only
Hours: 20 hours per week 11:00 – 15:00 (negotiable)
Hourly rate: £13.22 to £14.27 per hour
Actual annual salary: £11,810 - £12,748 dependent on experience
Start Date: As soon as possible
Aurora Vincent House School
The Role:
We are looking for an Assistant cook to support our chef in our school kitchen. The service provided by what the students call ‘Roberto’s Restaurant’ is fantastic and is a key element of our school’s offer. Lunch is a relaxed, calm, social time and students are given a range of options where we positively support those students who may struggle with their dietary choices and requirements. Within your role you would be expected to support this approach by establishing a positive relationship with the children. The Assistant Cook will work closely with the Chef to prepare, cook and serve meals at lunch time. They would also aid cleaning the kitchen area afterwards. There is the expectation for the Assistant Cook to support the very occasional evening event too when possible. Experience and skills are important, but the right mindset and enthusiasm are vital.
Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of Vincent House school when required.
Skills and Qualifications
Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate:
1. Experience in a reactive catering environment with appropriate qualifications (L2 award in Food Safety in Catering & certificate in hospitality and catering principles)
2. Able to work proactively and in a self-sufficient way
3. Good communication skills with adults and students.
4. Working knowledge of health & safety legislation including COSHH, manual handling and food hygiene procedures and requirements in relation to food preparation.
5. A high standard of personal hygiene.
6. Good understanding of cleaning schedules.
Candidates must:
7. be able to cover the duties of the chef if the chef were absent.
8. be able to follow strict instruction on how to support students who may have anxiety around eating and may struggle with eating disorders.
9. have good spoken English that the students can clearly understand.
10. have a passion to work in SEND and willingness to keep learning.
11. be able to follow safeguarding instructions.
12. have the empathy and resilience to work with young people who may experience high anxiety and may have self-harming behaviours, ARFID and disordered eating, and a range of mental health difficulties.
Benefits and Additional Information
Save Money on Everyday Essentials
With the rising cost of living, our Perkbox app helps you stretch your money further:
13. Discounts on groceries, phone plans, internet, dining out, gym memberships & more
14. Access to our Cycle to Work and Car Scheme
Access Wagestream – a financial wellbeing app that helps you track earnings, save, get expert money advice, and even access part of your pay early when needed
Competitive Pay & Reward
We regularly benchmark our pay and benefits to stay ahead of the curve. You’ll enjoy:
15. Enhanced Annual Leave
16. Company Sick Pay
17. Enhanced Pension
18. Life Assurance
24/7 GP Access – For You & Your Household
Need a doctor? No problem. Book a phone or video appointment anytime, day or night. This service covers everyone in your household.
UK Health Cash Plan
Cover everyday healthcare costs like dental and optician bills. You and your children are included in the scheme, and you can upgrade to add your partner too!
Employee Assistance Programme
Your wellbeing matters. Get confidential support on a wide range of issues, including:
19. Freephone counselling (available 24/7)
20. Online tools and resources
Refer a Friend – Earn £1,000!
Know someone who’d be a great fit? Refer them and get rewarded!
(*Terms apply)
How to Apply:
For candidates that haven’t worked in this sector before please be aware that for regulatory reasons the application process is far more detailed and thorough compared to other sectors.
Please complete the online application form in full, including all employment and education details, and provide a personal statement that makes us keen to speak to you.
Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.
This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled.
Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search
Safeguarding Statement
Aurora Vincent House School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to understand and share this commitment. We have a shared commitment to develop a culture of respect, where discrimination is not tolerated. We welcome all applications, including those from under-represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.