Cook (Woodview)

Directorate: Children and Family Services

Section: Children's Social Care - Small Group Homes

Grade: Level 5 (£13,637–£14,771 per annum)

Hours: 18.5 hours per week, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends where required

This advert is open to both internal and external applicants.

About us

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on-Trent City Council is more than just a job; it is about making, protecting and improving services for local people, reducing inequalities and improving independence for those who live and work in the city. That is where you come in. We are looking for people of the highest calibre, with the skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset. The skills, knowledge and experience of our employees are essential to delivering our ambitions for the organisation and the city. We want to be an employer people are proud to work for, where staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them excel and deliver the high-quality services our residents need.

Further information on why work for us

Join Our Children and Families Service

We are growing and developing our Children and Families workforce as part of an ambitious programme of service transformation. We are looking for talented, committed and values-led people to join us.

The Role

As a Cook within one of our Small Group Homes, you will plan, prepare and cook nutritious meals for approximately 12–15 people each day. You will create varied menus in consultation with the children and young people who live in the home, cater for medical, dietary and cultural needs, and ensure meals are prepared safely, efficiently and within budget. You will also take responsibility for the effective day-to-day operation of the kitchen, including stock control, ordering, food safety checks, cleaning and accurate record keeping.

About You

• Experience of working as a cook, including running a kitchen independently, contributing effectively as part of a wider team and remaining calm under pressure.
• A Basic Food Hygiene Certificate or another relevant qualification.
• A professional cookery qualification, such as City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ Level 2 or 3, or a willingness to complete the required training successfully.
• A clear understanding of current food safety legislation, hazard analysis and safe food-handling procedures.
• The ability to plan varied, balanced menus within an allocated budget and prepare special diets that meet medical requirements and cultural choices.
• Good organisational skills, including stock control, ordering, rotation and accurate record keeping, together with a flexible and practical approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook a full range of meals for approximately 12–15 people each day, maintaining consistent standards of quality and presentation.
• Plan menus and manage portion control, taking account of individual preferences, allergies, medical requirements and cultural choices.
• Complete all required food safety and hazard-analysis checks, including fridge, freezer, delivery and hot-food temperatures.
• Manage stock levels, ordering, deliveries and stock rotation, and liaise with suppliers or arrange repairs when necessary.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and health and safety throughout the kitchen.
• Work positively with children, young people and colleagues to ensure the food offer is welcoming, responsive and suited to the needs of the home.

Why Join Us?

• Play an important part in creating a safe, homely and nurturing environment for children and young people.
• Use your cookery skills creatively while shaping menus around individual needs, preferences and feedback.
• Join a supportive Small Group Homes service where teamwork, consistency and quality matter.

What we offer

• A permanent, part-time position with a salary of £13,637–£14,771 per annum.
• 28 days' annual leave rising to 33 days after five years' continuous service, plus bank holidays, calculated pro rata.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Training and development, including support to achieve an appropriate professional cookery qualification where required.

Further information on our Rewards and Benefits can be found here

Want to know more?

If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact:

Chris Whalley, Residential Care Manager

Chris.whalley@stoke.gov.uk

Pre-employment checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre-employment checks. These may include:

• Right to Work in the UK.
• Proof of address.
• Satisfactory references.
• Occupational Health clearance.
• Evidence of relevant professional qualifications.
• A DBS check at the appropriate level.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all our employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Additional information

If an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy, their application will receive priority. If this happens, you will be advised accordingly.

Your career matters here. At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we are committed to helping our people thrive. From competitive pay and a supportive working environment to opportunities for development and career progression, we invest in our workforce because we know it is our greatest asset. We are building an inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve, where everyone is welcomed, valued and encouraged to make a difference.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they do not meet every listed requirement. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves and can succeed together.

To Apply

Please create / log into your account and then click 'apply'. If you have any queries or want an application form in another format, please email recruitment@stoke.gov.uk or call us on 01782 238189.

• Do you have the Right to Work in the UK?

Cook JD... (.pdf) (146kb)