School Cook and Wellbeing Assistant

Purpose of the post:

To prepare and serve nutritious meals within a safe and compliant kitchen environment while building positive relationships with young people. The postholder will play an important role in supporting students’ wellbeing, encouraging healthy eating, and working collaboratively with staff to help students access food and drink in ways that meet their individual needs.

Responsibilities of the post:

• Plan, prepare and serve nutritious meals and snacks: Prepare food that meets the needs of students, staff and visitors, taking account of dietary requirements, allergies, preferences and sensory needs.
• Maintain a safe and compliant kitchen: Ensure all food preparation, storage and service complies with food hygiene, health and safety, allergen and environmental health requirements. Always maintain personal hygiene and a professional appearance.
• Manage food safety systems: Complete and maintain all required records, including Safer Food Better Business (SFBB) documentation, temperature monitoring, cleaning schedules and stock rotation procedures.
• Order and manage kitchen supplies: Monitor stock levels, place orders, manage deliveries and minimise waste while working within agreed budgets.
• Maintain a clean and welcoming dining environment: Ensure kitchen, dining and food preparation areas are clean, organised and welcoming for students, staff and visitors.
• Build positive relationships with young people: Act as a trusted and approachable adult, creating positive daily interactions that contribute to students’ wellbeing and sense of belonging.
• Support students to access food and drink: Work flexibly with students who may experience anxiety, sensory differences, emotional regulation difficulties or other barriers to eating and drinking.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues: Share observations and contribute to discussions with education, pastoral and therapeutic staff to help identify strategies that support individual students’ needs.
• Promote healthy eating and independence: Encourage positive attitudes towards food, nutrition and self-care in ways that are appropriate to each young person’s needs and stage of development.
• Supporting colleagues and trainees: Support trainees, volunteers or assistants working within the kitchen by providing instruction, encouragement and opportunities to develop practical skills in a safe and welcoming environment.

Professional Responsibilities:

• Model high expectations, inclusive practice and professional conduct aligned with school and company values.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of the young people.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Uphold and contribute to the development of ES policies, procedures and staff code of conduct.
• Participate in appraisal, supervision and continuous professional development.
• Access 1:1 coaching and support.
• Provide timely responses to emails or requests for information.
• Manage your online calendar and ensure important deadlines are met, seeking support where required.
• Attend all scheduled company training days, team coaching, INSET Days and meetings as required.
• Attend ES Team Awards ceremony held annually each December.
• Undertake any other duties that may be required commensurate with the scale and function of the post

Safeguarding Statement

All adults working in, or on behalf of the school have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This includes responsibility to provide a safe environment in which children can learn.

Please refer to the below document. This guidance applies to all schools and is for: headteachers, teaching staff and the wider workforce including volunteers; governors, directors and board members. It sets out the legal duties you must follow to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in schools and colleges.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education–2