Head Chef / Health & Social Care / Excellent Opportunity

Constantia Healthcare; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare company in the UK is looking for a qualified Chef/Cook to prepare and serve meals based on individual preferences while ensuring quality and compliance. The ideal candidate has a vocational qualification in cookery and experience with texture modified diets. This full-time role offers an hourly rate of £12.90 and requires effective leadership in catering operations.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a similar environment.
• Experience with texture modified diets.
• Experience working with service users who have additional support needs.

Responsibilities

• Prepare menus based on service user preferences.
• Create duty rotas for catering staff.
• Order supplies and maintain stock control.

Skills

Proficient writing skills

Budgetary skills

Communication skills

Knowledge of texture modified diets

Education

Vocational qualification in cookery

Qualifications in texture modified food

Qualifications in serving moulded food

Job description

Job Description

Location: Crawshaw Hall Medical Centre & Nursing Home, Burnley Road. Reports to the Registered Manager.

Job Overview

(Note: In addition to these functions, employees are required to carry out such duties as may reasonably be required)

• Prepare menus and agree them with the service users and the manager, including any service user preferences, special diets and specific foods as needed
• Prepare and serve all meals in a timely manner
• Location: The service’s premises, but you are required to work from other locations at the discretion of the company and with appropriate notice.

Responsibilities and Duties

• The Chef’s/Cook’s responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
• Create duty rotas for catering staff, ensuring there are enough skilled staff on duty
• Under the supervision of the manager, order enough supplies for the catering operation from specified suppliers using company procedures, and maintain strict control over costs
• Operate an efficient stock control system
• Ensure supplied equipment is used with care, in accordance with suppliers’ instructions and training
• Ensure all equipment is in good working order and report any faults immediately; if any machine is felt to be dangerous, withdraw it from service immediately
• Be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of those individuals the service supports
• Lead, motivate and direct staff
• Under the supervision of the manager, carry out annual staff appraisals for catering staff
• Assist in the recruitment of catering staff
• Conduct staff supervision and personal development plans for catering staff
• Induct new starters in accordance with company policy
• Seek opportunities for personal and professional growth; take responsibility for own professional development through performance and development reviews and undertake any relevant training

Qualifications

• Vocational qualification/HNC/City & Guilds qualification in cookery
• Qualifications in texture modified food
• Qualifications in serving moulded food

Skills and Competencies

• Proficient writing skills; ensure accurate, legible records are kept
• Compliance with statutory and company requirements on food hygiene, storage and temperature control
• Budgetary skills; ensure all catering ingredients and equipment are purchased within budgetary constraints; manage waste effectively
• Communication skills; regularly seek feedback from people and plan changes according to feedback; attend regular meetings to stay informed of expectations and views
• Knowledge of texture modified diets

Previous Experience

• Previous experience of working in a similar environment
• Experience with texture modified diets
• Experience of working with service users who have additional support needs
• Budgetary experience
• Previous experience of working in a supervisory role

Personal Qualities

• Working Together: Involve service users, families, external agencies and colleagues; speak up when things go wrong
• Respect and Dignity: Understand person‑centred care and demonstrate treating people as individuals and respecting choices; promote independence and encourage appropriate risk taking
• Everybody Counts: Ensure no one is discriminated against or excluded; understand human rights and their impact on care delivery; facilitate people to speak up about concerns and act upon them
• Commitment to Quality of Care: Strive for quality in everything we do, recognising and understanding what quality in care means for people using the services; be accepting about criticism and focus on improvement; be open to new opportunities for learning and identify the limits of skills and knowledge
• Compassion: Treat people with kindness; understand the importance of empathy in all areas of employment; understand the values of others and always provide a caring service
• Improving Lives: Focus on how things could be done better and share ideas; understand wellbeing and what is important to people using the service; improve outcomes for people; ensure appropriate services are provided for people using the services

Company Information

Constantia Healthcare Group is a small yet robust organisation caring for people with age‑related needs and complex care and support requirements. We ensure that the person we care for is at the centre of everything we do and, we ensure our colleagues are well supported, appreciated and invested in. At Constantia we want our organisation to work for the people we care for and our colleagues. We are an organisation that strives for excellence and accepts nothing less. We are continuously looking to invest in our services and in our teams.

Company Culture

Constantia Care’s culture is built on a foundation of compassion, dignity, and professional excellence. They believe in a person‑centered approach, prioritizing each client's independence and well‑being. This is achieved by fostering an environment of trust and open communication with clients, their families, and staff. The company invests heavily in its caregivers, providing ongoing training and 24/7 support. This commitment to making lives better—for both those they care for and those who provide the care—shapes every interaction and ensures a high standard of service.

Contract and Compensation

Closing Date: Wednesday 24th December 2025. Contract Type: fulltime. Salary: £12.90 Hourly.