Vacancies

Catering Lead - Children's Homes

About the role

As the Catering Lead, you’ll play a vital role in shaping the daily lives of children living at two of our children’s homes. You’ll lead the catering operations across five residential homes, ensuring compliance with food hygiene and health and safety legislation. Your leadership will ensure that kitchens are not only compliant and efficient but also nurturing environments where young people can develop essential life skills.

The position is 35 hours a week and based out of one of our Northampton homes where your expertise will directly impact the well-being and independence of children and young people, many of whom have experienced trauma. You’ll also be responsible for managing two other cooks and overseeing catering budgets to ensure the best use of resources. Whilst based in Northampton you will be required to visit the other homes in the county.

We welcome the opportunity to speak to any interested candidates so please feel free to email: Tim.Morrison@nctrust.co.uk and they can agree a mutually agreeable time to call you

What will you be doing?

You will manage the day-to-day operations of kitchens at two of the homes.
In addition you will oversee food ordering, storage, and stock control across all homes.
You will ensure all kitchens meet health and safety standards, including arranging annual deep cleans and maintaining certification.
You will support young people in developing independence through meal planning, budgeting, and cooking.
You will supervise and support catering staff, offering guidance and conducting formal supervision.
Monitoring catering budgets you will ensure materials and equipment are used cost-effectively.
You will promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for both staff and residents

About you

You’re a qualified and experienced catering professional with a passion for making a difference. You hold a recognised catering qualification (e.g., City & Guilds NVQ Level 3) and have strong knowledge of food hygiene, nutrition, and safeguarding legislation. You’re confident in managing teams, budgets, and compliance requirements.

You have excellent interpersonal skills and can build positive relationships with young people, especially those who have experienced adversity. You’re committed to promoting independence, inclusion, and well-being through food. Your ability to lead, educate, and inspire others makes you a perfect fit for this rewarding role.

When applying please ensure your supporting statement covers how you fulfil the essential criteria set out in the person specification as this will be used for shortlisting.

You will need to provide a full employment history including any gaps since leaving full time education.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check

Our benefits

28 days’ annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years
Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
We will pay for you to complete qualifications including NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
Free parking on site plus heavily subsidised town centre car parking scheme
Free meals whilst on shift

About us

At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do – in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils.

Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be.

We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed.

At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation.  We are a disability confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.

Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.

Apply