Residential/School Cook – Complex Diets

Residential/School Cook – Complex Diets

Location: Meldreth, Nr Royston, Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire border
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: 40 hours/week (Monday to Friday), 52 weeks/year
Salary: £13.87–£15.53/hour (£28,849.60–£32,302.40/year), based on experience, Plus £1,500 Welcome Bonus*

Are you a passionate cook looking for a role that makes a real difference—without sacrificing your evenings and weekends?
Do you thrive in a caring environment where every meal supports the health and happiness of young people with complex needs?

Why Join Us?

At Aurora Meldreth Manor, our school and residential homes support children and young adults aged 6–30 with profound communication, cognitive, and physical challenges, including cerebral palsy, autism, brain injury, and degenerative conditions.

We’re part of The Aurora Group, a forward-thinking provider of education and care for individuals with special educational needs and disabilities. Here, your culinary skills become a vital part of a holistic care approach.

The Role: Catering Manager

This is more than a kitchen job—it’s a leadership opportunity to shape a warm, inclusive dining experience for our community. You’ll:

• Lead a dedicated team (Senior Cook + Catering Assistant) in delivering nutritious, tailored meals
• Collaborate with therapy, education, and care teams to design inclusive menus
• Support themed events and emergency planning with creativity and care
• Champion food safety, budget control, and a person-centred approach to mealtimes
• Mentor staff, conduct reviews, and foster a positive, growth-oriented team culture

Please see our full job description below:

Catering Manager Job Description

What You’ll Bring

• We’re looking for someone who combines culinary expertise with compassion and leadership:
• Experience managing catering in a care or education setting
• Proven ability to lead teams and support staff development
• Knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and legislation (COSHH, Natasha’s Law)
• Interest or experience in complex dietary needs (including dysphagia)
• Confidence with Microsoft Office tools and documentation
• Strong budget management and supplier coordination skills
• A commitment to safeguarding and supporting vulnerable individuals

What You Get

• A fulfilling role with no evening or weekend shifts
• The chance to make a daily impact in a supportive, inclusive environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development
• A workplace that values team spirit, creativity, and compassion

Please see our list of key company benefits below:

The Aurora Group Benefits List

Ready to cook up something meaningful? Please complete our online application form or contact kirsty.wilkinson@theauroragroup.co.uk for more information.

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children and young adults.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled.

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search. 

* Welcome bonus is payable in 2 payments -  50% following successful completion of probation and 50% after one year service