Job Description

Part-time 17.5 hours per week. Working 5 days a week on a rota, shift pattern to cover is 07.00 to 13.00 or 15.30 to 19.00.


A night enhancement of 1.50 per hour will apply from 8pm to 7am Monday - Sunday (this does not apply to sleep-ins). A weekend day enhancement of 2.00 per hour will be paid from 7am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday.


Symonds House is a modern residential home in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, supporting 20 adults with disabilities.

"We are amongst the highest rated providers of care and supported living services in the UK, with 87% of our services rated 'good' by regulators."

Are you passionate about providing appetising, varied and well-presented meals?

If so, we would love to hear from you, to help us make a positive impact every day on the lives of people with a disability.

We are looking for an experienced Cook to join our great team. You will be required to deliver a varied menu that is healthy and nutritionally balanced, meeting specific dietary requirements for customers in our residential care home.



Working within an agreed budget, you will have responsibility for an efficiently run kitchen, supervising staff who will assist in food preparation. You will ensure that exceptional levels of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained at all times, meeting Health, Safety and other regulatory requirements.



There is also the opportunity to become even more creative, providing catering for our functions and special events. Helping us to celebrate a great range of events throughout the year is a brilliant part of this role!

Please see the job description (link below) for more details.

To be successful in this role you will have:

Experience working in a kitchen environment. A recognised catering qualification (Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate and additional HACCP accreditation, or Level 4 Food Hygiene Certificate / commitment to work towards. Flexibility to work within rostered hours.

Your benefits and rewards

As well as competitive pay, we offer a wide range of employee rewards such as

Wagestream

, the option to withdraw up to 40% of your pay before pay day, free Blue Light card with discounts for high street retailers, eating out and fun family days. There is also a free DBS check, generous annual leave, contributory pension scheme, excellent training programmes relevant to your role and so much more!


We are currently under consultation proposing a change to the enhancement rates paid. If the proposal is accepted, from 1 December 2025 new enhancement rates of 1.00 per hour will only apply to night working (8pm Monday to 7am Friday) and weekend working (8pm Friday - 7am Monday). This does not apply to Sleep-ins.

Leonard Cheshire welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We actively encourage applications from people with a disability, supporting where possible, your requirements for reasonable adjustments.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. A satisfactory disclosure check (PVG membership in Scotland) is required for this post. References will be obtained for all roles.



Shortlisting for this role may take place as applications are received. We therefore reserve the right to close this vacancy once suitable candidates have been appointed.

No agencies please