Job Description
1 - Month contract with additional shift
Job Purpose
To provide high‑quality, nutritious and well‑presented meals for adults receiving social care support, including individuals with a range of needs such as dementia, learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, and physical health conditions. The post-holder ensures that all meals meet dietary requirements, food safety standards and service expectations while contributing to a positive, person‑centred environment within the service.
Key Responsibilities
Meal Preparation & Delivery
* Plan, prepare and cook nutritious meals appropriate to the dietary needs of service users.
* Ensure meals are well‑presented, delivered on time and portioned consistently.
* Prepare snacks, light bites and refreshments in line with daily service needs.
* Adapt meals to meet specialist dietary requirements (e.g. soft diets, allergens, cultural diets, diabetic meals, fortified foods).
* Communicate with care staff to ensure meals align with individual support plans and health requirements.
Food Safety, Hygiene & Compliance
* Follow food safety legislation, internal policies and Safer Food, Better Business guidelines.
* Maintain high standards of cleanliness across the kitchen, food preparation areas, storage and equipment.
* Complete routine hygiene checks, including temperature monitoring, cleaning schedules and due‑diligence documentation.
* Ensure all food is stored, labelled and rotated correctly to maintain safety and minimise waste.
* Report any equipment faults or hazards promptly to ensure safe working conditions.
Stock & Resource Management
* Monitor stock levels and inform relevant staff of replenishment needs.
* Check deliveries for accuracy, quality and correct storage.
* Manage resources efficiently, reducing waste and contributing to cost‑effective operations.
Teamwork & Communication
* Work collaboratively with care staff, day service teams and managers to ensure meals support individual needs and service schedules.
* Provide guidance to Catering Assistants when required, supporting effective daily operations.
* Contribute to a positive, supportive and professional working environment.
Service User Interaction
* Engage respectfully and warmly with service users during meal service.
* Support service users’ independence, dignity and choice around food and dining.
* Adapt serving methods or provide additional assistance where individuals require support.
Kitchen Operations
* Prepare the kitchen at the start of each day, ensuring equipment and resources are ready for use.
* Support end‑of‑day close‑down procedures, ensuring all areas are clean and compliant.
* Ensure all due‑diligence logs are completed accurately and on time.
* ----------------------------------- Experience Required
* Experience working in a kitchen environment, ideally within social care, education, healthcare or community settings.
* Experience preparing meals for individuals with specialist or complex dietary needs.
* Experience maintaining hygiene, food safety standards and completing kitchen documentation.
* Experience working as part of a busy, service‑driven team.
Skills & Competencies
* Ability to cook nutritious, balanced meals in volume while maintaining quality.
* Strong understanding of food hygiene and safe kitchen practices.
* Good organisational skills and ability to manage time effectively.
* Ability to communicate clearly with staff and interact positively with service users.
* Flexible and adaptable approach to changing service needs.
Qualifications
* Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene (essential).
* Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene (desirable or willingness to complete).
* Any catering or hospitality qualification (desirable but not essential).
Additional information to note
We work on a Bi weekly payment schedule
The role closes on 27/04/2026, apply ASAP.
Requirements
Plan, prepare and cook nutritious meals appropriate to the dietary needs of service users.