Supported Sheltered Cook (Casual)

Location: Ballymena

Hours: As and when required

Rate of Pay: £12.40 per hour

Closing date: 19th June 2025

Do you enjoy cooking at home for your family? Do you have empathy with older people and enjoy their company? Abbeyfield & Wesley is pleased to advertise for a Supported Sheltered Cook (Casual), to join our older peoples Supported Living team. The successful Candidate will be a key player in the successful running of the House, delivering the excellent service Abbeyfield & Wesley is renowned for.

This key post will involve:

• Preparing nutritious home cooked meals for up to 10 residents.
• Being aware of our residents dietary requirements.
• Maintaining excellent standards of Food Safety & Hygiene; full training will be given.
• Encouraging a supportive, homely and secure environment for our Residents.

Working in conjunction with the House Manager, the Supported Sheltered Cook (Casual) will assist in the preparation of meals for Residents, ensure that Health and Safety standards are being met, take part in drills relating to fire safety protocols and actively encourage a fantastic level of service for all Residents. This is a truly fulfilling role within a Housing Association dedicated to encouraging enhanced quality of life, dignity and respect for elderly people within our communities.

Main Duties:

• Prepare and cook nutritious meals for Residents from the agreed menu, taking into account any special dietary requirements as necessary.
• Maintain excellent standards of Food Safety & Hygiene and complete mandatory training as necessary.
• Follow all cleaning procedures and schedules for the kitchen.
• Adhere to Health and Safety requirements within the House.
• Encourage a supportive, homely and secure environment for the Residents.
• Support residents by dealing with their queries.
• Be the Abbeyfield & Wesley representative whilst in the House when interacting with visitors, answering the phone or dealing with prospective Residents.
• In the event of an emergency, keep calm and ensure to contact the correct people, which may involve making emergency calls for medical assistance or to Residents' next of kin.

Reporting Structure:

You will report directly to the House Manager or senior in charge of duty in their absence.

Essential Criteria:

• Ability to prepare meals for up to 10 people as per our seasonal menus.
• Demonstrate empathy and understanding of the needs of our elderly residents.
• Excellent communication skills.
• A desire to encourage dignity, respect and quality of living for older people.
• Proven ability to work on own initiative.

Desirable Criteria:

• Food Safety qualification.
• First Aid in the workplace qualifications.
• A willingness to achieve necessary qualifications to further develop your expertise and standards of service.

This job description is not exhaustive, nor does it cover every issue that may arise within this role at various times. It is not designed to be rigid or inflexible but does provide guidelines as to the expected duties undertaken whilst in post.

Abbeyfield & Wesley are unable to provide sponsorship for Visa applicants for this particular post, as such applicants must hold the right to work in the UK to be eligible. Abbeyfield & Wesley welcomes applications from all sectors of the community irrespective of age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or disability.

The information requested in this form is to enable us to obtain a rounded picture of you. Personal information will not of itself be used to disqualify your application. This post involves substantial access to vulnerable adults and children, therefore, as part of the selection process, Abbeyfield & Wesley requires an Enhanced Disclosure Check to be carried out through Access NI. Following interview, the preferred candidate will be offered the post subject to satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure Check. This will include verification of identity and a report on the preferred candidate's full criminal history (including spent and unspent convictions), cautions, disqualifications from regulated or care positions, and any other material considered by the police to be relevant to the position applied for. A criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position (if you require further information please request a copy of the Abbeyfield & Wesley Policy on Recruitment of those with a Criminal Record).

Abbeyfield & Wesley have a policy on the secure handling, use, storage, retention & disposal of data, which is available upon request. You can access further information and the Access NI Code of Practice on the NI Direct Government Services website. All successful applicants will also be required to provide documentary evidence of their right to work in the UK. Please note Abbeyfield & Wesley Housing Association do not hold a license to sponsor Working Visas.