Cook - Vinney Green Secure Children's Home

• On a daily basis you will prepare and serve meals to young people and staff and supervise issue and return of all utensils, including cutlery. You will ensure that young people have every opportunity to request their preferred choice of food, and that access is available throughout 24-hour period.
• You will be responsible for preparing special dietary meals where appropriate and ensure a choice of menu.
• You will report to the Facilities Manager any concerns regarding the eating habits of young people.
• You will supervise, monitor and assist with the routine cleaning tasks – food production areas, equipment and utensils.
• You will  monitor daily temperature recording and other documentation as required by policies and procedures.
• You will be fully responsible for the ordering of supplies, the safe storage, rotating and stock monitoring – including appropriate records.
• You will supervise and direct the duties of the Kitchen Assistants  and will liaise with contractors and suppliers.
• You will support and assist other staff in kitchen or dining room as required.
• You will be responsible for ensuring the monitoring of all hygiene, health and safety in the kitchen and surrounding areas and report any unsafe practices or equipment to the Facilities Manager.

• You must have NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in Catering/Food preparation, or the commitment to undertake this qualification
• It is essential you have knowledge of health & safety issues and Food Hygiene legislation
• You will have knowledge of specialist diets e.g. vegetarian, vegan, diabetic and cultural and religious requirements
• It is required for you to have experience of cooking for large groups of people with an ability to carry out required duties within specified timescales
• You may have previous supervisory experience
• You may already have a Food Hygiene Certificate
• Ideally, you will also have experience of working with children and/or young people and experience of working in a multi-racial environment, or of working with people from other minority ethnic groups. 

Please note that due to the nature of this role it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained for this post. 

Things we need you to know: 

Role 1

The working hours will be an average of 35.12 hours per week. Working a pattern of 7 on, 7 off.

You will be working shifts, weekends and bank holidays. Annual leave must be taken in conjunction with the needs of the secure service.

The salary is plus a Secure Unit allowance of £2,583 per annum, pro rated to hours worked.

Young people can present physically threatening behaviour and the environment can become tense and anxiety provoking, so for everybody’s safety surveillance cameras are in use in most areas of the building.

Vinney Green operates a full non-smoking environment, and there is no provision to facilitate smoking anywhere on site. Staff’s personal belongings are required to be left in a provided locker on entry into the building and we may require you to undertake a further physical fitness check.

We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Ensuring all our staff are given right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect. 

As part of our benefits package you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.

We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.     

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.    

• We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of  
• We're working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life  
• We're investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential.    

We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.  

We’re making a difference, be part of it!