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Lincolnshire Secure Unit is a Secure Children's home in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

We are looking for a creative, innovative and resourceful Residential Care Home Cook to join our highly passionate and dedicated care team who provide a safe, nurturing and caring environment for children and young people. We look after children and young people between the ages of 11 and 18 who are placed with us through the Youth Custody Service or for Welfare reasons.

Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements.

About the Role

We have one full time position available (37 hours a week), working mornings, evenings and weekends. There will be occasions when additional hours would be offered, to support with covering service needs.

You will:

• Have responsibility for planning and preparing weekly menus for both staff and young people
• Prepare and understand healthy, varied, freshly made meals for a range of dietary requirements; Vegetarian, Halal, gluten free and coeliac, as well as other specific dietary requirements
• Keep accurate records and follow food hygiene standards
• Maintain and undertake the daily and weekly cleaning tasks within the kitchen area
• Complete all mandatory LCC training

You will be joining a team in a role that provides variety and challenge, where no two days are the same. This role offers opportunities for personal learning and growth to enable you to achieve the expected professional standards of a Residential Care Home Cook.

About You

As a Residential Care Home Cook you will be an integral part of the team. You will need to be prepared to develop positive relationships with all our children and young people, gain an understanding of their individual needs, ensuring you have compassion and empathy at all times.

All Cooks must work within our core values: kindness, nurture, care, respect, empathy and compassion. We will provide you with the necessary training that you will need to fulfil your role and support you through a full induction program. To apply you will need to be;

• Enthusiastic
• Resilient
• Innovative
• Flexible
• A good team player

About Our Offer

Mentorship and Support: You will be mentored by our experienced and supportive team, ensuring you have the guidance and support you need to excel.

Comprehensive Induction: We will provide a full induction to help ensure you get the best start to your new role

Competitive Salary: £25,989 - £27,254 (Pay award pending)

At Lincolnshire County Council, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we offer a rewarding package designed to support your work–life balance, health and wellbeing, financial security, and career growth. Find out more about our offer to you in the attached brochure.

For a confidential and informal discussion about the role please contact James Guthrie on 01529 414300 or alternatively you can email james.guthrie@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Applications close 31 August 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached on LCC jobs Site) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy. If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact recruitment@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.