Nottinghamshire County Council
Cook
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Salary
£25,583 - £26,403 per annum (pro rata)
Type of Vacancy
Permanent
Work Pattern
Part Time including some weekends
Hours per Week
27.5
Work Base
The Big House, Mansfield, NG21 9QA
Working Arrangements
Office Based
Job Description / Person Specification
[Cook JDPS.pdf – 151KB](Opens in a new window)
Competency Framework
Tier 7a
Number of Posts
2
Interview Date
19 August 2026
Closing Date
13 August 2026 23:55
About The Children and Families Department
The Children and Families Department takes a strengths-based approach to working with each other, children, young people and families, and our partner agencies. We call this 'Our Nottinghamshire Approach'. Watch the two-minute animation to learn more.
Job Summary
Be there for your community when they need you most! Join us as a Cook, preparing nutritious meals for children and young people in a supportive environment.
As a Cook, you will lead all catering within the home, preparing nutritious, high-quality meals for children, young people, staff and visitors. Working closely with care colleagues, you will ensure meals meet individual dietary needs, preferences and cultural requirements, while helping to create positive and enjoyable mealtime experiences.
You will share the rota with another cook, helping provide a consistent and supportive service across the week. You will take pride in producing well-presented, balanced meals, maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene, and ensuring the kitchen operates efficiently to support the day-to-day running of the home.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and prepare balanced, nutritious meals within an agreed budget
- Create menus that meet a range of dietary and nutritional needs
- Maintain excellent standards of kitchen hygiene and cleanliness
- Receive and check food deliveries for quality and accuracy
- Manage food storage, stock control and kitchen security
- Ensure compliance with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations
- Maintain cleaning schedules and safe working practices
- Support COSHH and risk assessments relating to kitchen equipment and materials
- Work positively with children, staff and visitors to create a welcoming mealtime experience
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About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience cooking for small groups in a catering or similar environment (approximately 4–12 people)
- Can plan menus and manage food purchasing within a budget
- Understands food hygiene, health and safety, and healthy eating principles
- Holds a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
- Works well independently and as part of a team
- Builds positive, respectful relationships with children and colleagues
- Takes pride in delivering high standards of food and service
Most importantly, you will be compassionate, reliable, and committed to creating a safe and positive environment for children.
Why Join The Big House?
At The Big House, every role contributes to helping children feel valued, supported and cared for. Mealtimes are an important part of each child’s stay, and your cooking will help create positive experiences and lasting memories.
If you are passionate about cooking and want your work to have real purpose, we would love to hear from you.
Additional Information
You will be working 27.5 hours per week, working alternate weekends. Pay enhancements for weekend working are provided. Working hours are 11am-17:30pm weekdays and 10:00am-17:30pm on weekends.
We will also consider applications from candidates interested in working on a relief basis. Please indicate this in your application if this is your preference.
What We Offer You
As part of Nottinghamshire County Council, you’ll receive:
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- A comprehensive and supportive induction
- Regular supervision and strong peer support
- Ongoing training and career development opportunities
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Access to wellbeing, health, and counselling support
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (6.5% employer contribution)
If you want to be part of a team that truly cares, where your work has purpose and impact every single day, we would love to hear from you.
For an Informal Discussion
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Alan Webb on 0163 6815450 or by email alan.webb@nottscc.gov.uk.
Important Information
- Appointment to this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
- Nottinghamshire County Council strives to ensure that it goes beyond the requirements of the Equalities Act and prides itself on being accredited as a Disability Confident Leader Organisation.
- Under the Disability Confident scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme) we would like to ensure applicants with disabilities are offered an interview if they meet the minimum criteria for a job. Please let us know if this is something you would like to be considered for.
- A job share scheme is available for all full-time posts: both permanent and temporary, unless otherwise stated.
- Nottinghamshire County Council strongly encourages applications from all candidates from different walks of life, irrespective of gender, marital status, disability, race, religion, belief, pregnancy and maternity status, age or sexual orientation.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks.
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