Cook

ABOUT US

• Are you a keen team player?

• Are you looking for your next challenge with a supportive team by your side?

• Are you passionate about creating healthy and nutritious recipes a high standard?

We're looking for two Part time Cooks to join our friendly, enthusiastic, and hardworking team at Hobbs Field Residential Home in Horsham.

About the job

Salary: £13.26 to £13.47 per hour (Weekend hours are paid at time and a half, plus bank holidays at double time)

Working Pattern: Part-time (14.5 hours or 15 hours per week) includes occasional weekends. Weekdays 2 to 6 pm / Weekends 10am to 2pm

Contract Length: Fixed Term Contract up to - 30/06/2026

Location: Hobbs Field, Horsham

This is fixed term contract role for a temporary vacancy as the position is being held for a permanent employee due to a proposed closure of a service. The length of the fixed term contract is up to 30/06/2026.

JOB DETAILS

As a Cook, you will:

• Have the opportunity to be creative and design menus ranging from daily meals to theme days
• Manage health and safety standards
• Maintain food hygiene procedures & risk assessments
• Ensure the kitchen is maintained to a high standard
• Ordering goods within a specified budget
• Keeping accurate records and stock control
• Coordinate agency Cooks and Kitchen Assistants if required

An important part of what we do is enabling and encouraging people to be independent and make choices about their day-to-day lives. From what colour they have on their bedroom wall, to riding a bike, going to work, or future planning within the service (their home), we always ensure people are supported to explore opportunities. For example, we now have People Ambassadors who represent

the voice of the people using our service.

Why not have a look at our dedicated Careers in adults' residential services, day opportunities and shared lives webpage to learn more about the difference you can make

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experience and skills(These will be used as the shortlisting criteria)

• Good communication & interpersonal skills to take messages etc.
• Good literacy and numeracy skills to complete records, design menus and returns as required.
• Able to organise & prioritise work, co-ordinate a variety of tasks in a clear and logical way, and meet agreed deadlines.
• Sensitive to the needs of the people.
• Competent in the preparation of food varied in nature to a high standard.
• Ability to purchase food ingredients for the home.

Qualifications and/experience

• 3 GCSEs with A-C (9-4) passes including Maths and English or equivalent qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience demonstrating that level of numeracy and literacy.
• Recognised Food Handling and Hygiene qualification, Basic Food Hygiene certificate.
• NVQ Level 2 in catering or equivalent qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience - Desirable
• Knowledge of ordering, costing and stock control.
• Knowledge of effective cooking techniques and healthy, nutritious recipes.
• Knowledge of cleaning schedules and their implementation.
• Awareness of Health and Safety issues, including risk assessment - Desirable
• Sound cooking experience, including preparing, cooking and serving meals for a large group of people.
• Experience of cleaning and using both domestic and commercial equipment.
• Experience of working as part of a team.

For a full detailed description and skills required, please refer to thejob description.

BENEFITS

Reward and Benefits

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.

In addition to working within a great team and a competitive salary you will have access to:

• Generous annual leave + bank holidays with the ability to buy additional leave annually
• Access to a generous, defined benefit pension scheme
• Training and development opportunities, including Food safety courses and Apprenticeships ranging from Level 2 (GCSE) to Level 7 (Masters)
• Health and wellbeing benefits including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and Voluntary Health Cash Plans
• Ability to apply for Blue Light Card
• A range of commuting and business travel discounts and initiatives

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.

HOW TO APPLY

Further information

Upload your CV and complete the application explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.

West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.

For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran's Guaranteed Interview Scheme, this can be found on our application help page.

Note for Recruitment Agencies: We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We'll be in touch directly if we need you

Job Reference: CAFHE06061