Job Description

Catering Tutor

and Person Specification

Job title

: Catering Tutor

Place of work:

Orchard Therapeutic Farm,

Hours of work

: Tuesdays , Wednesday and Fridays 8.30-4.30, Term time only+ inset days

Day rate:

180-230 depending on experience

Reports to

: Head of Centre

Level of screening

: Enhanced DBS

Who we are

OTF is an award-winning primary, secondary and post 16 alternative provision. We are a farm based alternative provision catering for young persons who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Many of the young person's attending have additional special educational needs such neurodivergent functioning.

Places for young persons are commissioned by schools (maintained, non- maintained, SEN). We are an approved alternative provider for various local authorities, including Oxfordshire, West Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey, along with Slough and Wokingham. Young persons who are referred to OTF have an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

We are a small and nurturing therapeutic provision who focus on building trusting relationships with young people to make steady personal success and tangible outcomes.

Where do you fit in

As a Catering Tutor at OTF, you will deliver practical, hands-on learning in catering and hospitality. You will teach young people essential food preparation, cooking, hygiene, and hospitality service skills while supporting them to develop confidence, independence and employability. You will work collaboratively with colleagues and external professionals to ensure learners with diverse needs can access a safe, structured and inspiring learning environment.

This role requires strong practical catering skills, experience teaching or training and a passion for working with young people with SEN .

Main Duties & Accountabilities

Instruction & Training

Plan, deliver and evaluate engaging lessons for secondary and post-16 young people working towards Level 1 and Level 2 catering qualifications. Teach core catering skills including knife skills, food preparation, cooking methods, food safety, menu planning and basic hospitality service. Provide hands-on demonstrations, practical activities and projects aligned with the
qualification requirements.

Use a variety of teaching methods tailored to different learning styles and abilities.
Assessment & Evaluation

Develop and mark assessments monitoring progress and practical competency. Provide constructive feedback to support on-going skill development. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of achievement and progression.
Curriculum Development

Contribute to the design, review and updating of catering and hospitality curriculum
materials

Incorporate current industry practices, food safety standards and seasonal/functional menus to keep learning relevant.
Student Support

Mentor young persons, offering pastoral, academic and career-related guidance. Identify barriers to learning and implement strategies to support engagement and success. Promote emotional wellbeing, resilience and personal development. Support learners in accessing meaningful work experience opportunities within catering or hospitality environments and help prepare them for workplace expectations. Support young persons with their next steps, including transitions into college, employment, supported internships, or apprenticeships, by providing guidance, preparation and documentation.
Health, Safety & Compliance

Ensure all catering sessions comply with food safety and hygiene regulations (including allergen procedures). Maintain a safe and organised kitchen environment. Model and promote safe practices when using equipment and handling food. Ensure all risk assessments for catering activities, equipment and environments are up to date, communicated clearly and consistently followed.

What Success Looks Like

Able to manage own time and work effectively to meet deadlines. Able to prioritise workload. Work as part of a team. Improve the attendance and engagement of young persons. Teaching is of a high standard by using a range of strategies to effectively manage the room to enable young persons to engage, learn and progress. Maintain effective communication systems with other disciplinaries within the setting (therapists and family liaison). Drive outstanding outcomes for young people.
Safeguarding Statement

At Hitchcox Group, we take our safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously and are fully committed to promoting the welfare and safety of all children and young people in our care. We believe that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, all staff play an essential role in ensuring that our environments are safe, supportive and inclusive.

As part of our safer recruitment practices, we will carry out appropriate pre-employment checks to ensure the suitability of all prospective employees. This includes conducting online searches on shortlisted candidates. This is part of our due diligence process, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 guidance.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975). Further information about the DBS process can be found at www.disclosures.co.uk.

We are committed to:

Ensuring a culture of vigilance where the welfare of children and young people is paramount. Providing a safe and caring environment that enables every child to learn and thrive. Promoting equality, inclusion and respect for all. Ensuring all staff receive regular safeguarding and child protection training in line with current statutory guidance.
Other Information

This job description is intended as a guide to the main responsibilities and duties of the post. It is in no way intended to restrict any individual in the performance of other duties within the general nature of the post as required by the company.

This job description will be reviewed at least once per year and may be subject to amendment or modification at any time after consultation with the post holder. It is not a comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks but sets out the main expectations of the establishment in relation to the post holder's professional responsibilities, duties and grading.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 160.00-200.00 per day

Benefits:

Free parking On-site parking
Education:

Certificate of Higher Education (preferred)
Experience:

catering : 5 years (required)
Work Location: In person