Cook – Residential Children’s Home
£25,998 – £30,165 per annum (pro rata for part-time staff)
Permanent
Part Time – 18 hours per week (Sunday to Tuesday)
Wandsworth, London
Ofsted Rating: ‘Good’

Every meal tells a story. Will yours be one of care, comfort and nourishment?

At Oakdene Residential Children’s Home, mealtimes are more than just a routine - these are moments of connection.In a home where care and support are woven into every part of daily life, the kitchen stands out as a place of comfort - a space where children and young people can explore new tastes, enjoy familiar favourites and feel a sense of belonging. At the heart of it all is you!

As a creative and compassionate Cook, you understand that food is more than fuel. It is a way to nurture growth, build trust and bring joy. Your meals will do more than fill plates; they will help children flourish.

About the role

Imagine a child who struggles with change, finding comfort in the familiar aroma of your homemade stew. Or a young person discovering a new favourite dish that respects their dietary needs and cultural background.As our Cook, you will be a quiet but powerful presence in their lives, someone who helps them feel cared for every single day.

You will design and preparehealthy and balanced mealsthat meet a variety of dietary requirements, always with creativity and care.You will work closely with our team to ensure that every child’s nutritional needs are met, while also making mealtimes something they look forward to.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Experience in a kitchen environment, ideally serving children or young people.
• A strong understanding of Health & Safety regulations and an up-to-date Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Confidence in menu planning, stock taking and ordering within a budget.
• Sensitivity to dietary needs and religious beliefs, ensuring every child feels respected and included.
• Patience and empathy, especially when working with children who have moderate to severe learning difficulties.
• The ability to work independently, stay organised and communicate clearly with both staff and young people.

This isn’t just a job, it is a chance to make a lasting difference. Your food will help children feel at home, your presence will help them feel safe and your care will help them grow.

If you believe in the power of a warm meal and a kind heart, we would love to hear from you – apply today and help us nourish the next generation.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Andres Martinez, Assistant Team Manager by emailing .uk

Closing Date:17th August 2025
Shortlisting Date:w/c 18th August 2025
Interview Date:TBC

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone.We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.