At a Glance
- Tasks: Cook nutritious meals and maintain a clean, welcoming environment for children.
- Company: Spark of Genius, supporting children with additional needs for over 25 years.
- Benefits: £500 welcome bonus, free meals, discounts, and a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives every day while enjoying a stable role.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking or housekeeping, good communication skills, and a team-focused approach.
- Other info: Full training provided; flexible hours from Monday to Friday.
The predicted salary is between 11 - 14 £ per hour.
Role: Housekeeper / Cook — Permanent 35 hours per week
Location: Ormiston EH35
Hours/rota: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Pay: £12.65 per hour
About Spark of Genius
For over 25 years, Spark of Genius has supported children and young people with additional needs, creating safe, inclusive environments where they can thrive.
About the role
We’re looking for a caring and well-organised Housekeeper/Cook to join our children’s residential home. You’ll help create a warm, welcoming setting by maintaining high cleaning standards and preparing nutritious meals that support children’s health and wellbeing.
New staff must be comfortable using an electronic care recording system on a daily basis to document, monitor, and update children and young people’s records accurately. Experience with Clearcare is an advantage, but not essential, as full training will be provided. However, all staff are expected to confidently use digital systems as part of their day-to-day role.
What you’ll do
- Cooking
- Prepare and cook balanced meals and snacks, tailored to individual dietary needs and allergies
- Maintain excellent standards of food hygiene and kitchen cleanliness
- Safely store, label and rotate food in line with regulations
- Plan menus within agreed budgets
- Record temperatures and complete kitchen log sheets
- Prepare buffets or meals at short notice when needed
- Housekeeping
- Clean bedrooms and shared areas to a high standard
- Follow routines, policies and infection-control procedures
- Safely store hazardous materials (COSHH)
- Keep bathrooms stocked
- Report maintenance issues promptly
- Carry out occasional deep cleans when required
About you
- Experience in a cooking, catering or housekeeping environment.
- Cooking for small groups of people.
- Knowledge of food hygiene, certificate desired but can work towards.
- Good communication skills and a team-focused approach.
- Flexible, organised and reliable.
- Understanding of health & safety in kitchens and residential settings.
Why join us
- £500 Welcome Bonus after probation.
- Refer-a-Friend scheme — earn up to £1,000.
- Free meals on shift and free onsite parking.
- Exclusive discounts at major retailers (ASDA, Tesco, M&S and more).
- Company pension and staff recognition awards.
- Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG check.
- 24/7 helpline and hardship support via the CareTech Foundation.
Safeguarding
CareTech is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All offers are subject to an Enhanced DBS/PVG check and satisfactory references covering the past two years and all roles involving vulnerable groups.
Ready to apply?
If you’re looking for a supportive team, a stable role and the chance to make a real difference every day, we’d love to hear from you — apply today.
Housekeeper in Ormiston employer: CareTech
Contact Detail:
CareTech Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housekeeper in Ormiston
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Spark of Genius. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your skills as a Housekeeper/Cook can contribute to creating those 'Extraordinary Days' for the children.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! If you’re nervous about the interview, try doing a mock interview with a friend or family member. Focus on questions related to cooking, housekeeping, and how you handle challenges in a team setting.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your personality! When you’re in the interview, let your caring nature shine through. Share stories that highlight your experience in cooking and cleaning, and how you’ve made a positive impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and helps keep you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Housekeeper in Ormiston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in cooking and housekeeping. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Housekeeper/Cook, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!
Show Your Passion: Let us know why you’re excited about working with children and young people. A genuine passion for creating a warm and welcoming environment can really make your application stand out!
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your points are easy to read and get straight to the heart of what makes you a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at CareTech
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, brush up on your cooking and housekeeping skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with meal preparation and cleaning standards, as well as any specific dietary needs you've catered to in the past.
✨Show Your Caring Side
Since this role involves working with children and young people, it’s crucial to demonstrate your caring nature. Share examples of how you've created a warm environment in previous roles or how you’ve gone the extra mile for those in your care.
✨Get Familiar with Digital Systems
As the job requires using an electronic care recording system, make sure you’re comfortable with technology. If you have experience with similar systems, mention it! If not, express your willingness to learn and adapt quickly.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions about the role and the team. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you understand if it's the right fit for you. Ask about the team dynamics or how they support each other in creating those 'Extraordinary Days'.