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.

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.
  

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  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).