Weekend Cook – Part-Time

Join a compassionate, outcomes-focused care setting as a Weekend Cook at Cygnet Conifers in Borrowash. This part-time, weekend-only hospitality role is ideal for cooks who enjoy preparing nourishing, appetising meals and want to contribute to the wellbeing of adults with learning disabilities and autism. Weekend hours are fixed so you get consistency and a clear work/life pattern while working for an established health-care group.

Job Description

The Weekend Cook role at Cygnet Conifers is a hands-on culinary position focused on delivering well-balanced, nutritious and appealing food for a seven-bed specialist residential service. You will be responsible for preparing, cooking and serving breakfast, lunch and snacks across weekend shifts, following person-centred meal plans and adapting menus to individual dietary requirements. The home supports adults with learning disabilities and autism, so flexibility, patience and the ability to follow individual care and nutrition plans are essential.

Typical weekend shift times are 07:00 to 15:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. While the work is concentrated over two days, face-to-face training sessions will be scheduled during weekdays to ensure you’re fully onboarded and compliant with the provider’s health and safety, food hygiene and safeguarding standards. The role sits within a small, close-knit team; strong communication and the ability to liaise with nursing and care staff about residents’ dietary needs are important day-to-day responsibilities.

Core duties include preparing, cooking and plating balanced meals; providing and recording special diets (allergies, textures, therapeutic diets); maintaining kitchen and dining cleanliness; operating and storing equipment responsibly; and following food safety and COSHH procedures. You will also be expected to keep clear records and communicate any changes or concerns about residents’ nutritional intake to senior staff. Work is delivered with dignity and sensitivity — residents’ preferences and wellbeing are central to menu planning and service.

Cygnet Health Care is a long-standing provider in the UK social care landscape, with careers and training pathways across its services. As the Weekend Cook you’ll benefit from on-the-job supervision, access to internal development opportunities, and employee benefits that the wider group offers. The role requires an enhanced DBS check and a demonstrable commitment to working safely around vulnerable adults.

Eligibility & How to Apply

This section explains who typically qualifies for the role and the straightforward steps to apply. The job is well suited to qualified cooks with relevant catering or hospitality experience and basic qualifications in food safety. Practical experience in a health or care environment is desirable but not always essential — the provider offers training to cover any care-specific requirements.

Who should apply? Candidates who are: trained/certified in food hygiene (Level 2 or equivalent), confident preparing varied nutritious meals, able to work to budget and to time pressures, and comfortable in a small residential environment supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism. Good personal hygiene, reliable attendance, and the ability to pass an enhanced DBS check are required. Qualifications such as City & Guilds 706 or NVQ Level 2/3 in catering are useful but not mandatory if you can show strong practical experience.

Step-by-step application process (follow these steps to apply and prepare):

1. Review the official vacancy listing. Click the apply link in the job table to open Cygnet’s vacancies page and search by location or reference (VP701262DC). Make sure the posted hours, salary and training commitments match what you’re seeking.
2. Prepare your CV and cover note. Highlight relevant catering experience, any care-sector exposure, your food hygiene certificate(s), and weekend availability. Be concise and show examples of menu planning, special diets or working with vulnerable adults if applicable.
3. Complete the online application. Use the official Cygnet application portal; enter the vacancy reference in the appropriate field. Attach your CV and any certificates. If the portal allows, answer eligibility questions fully (right to work, DBS status, qualifications).
4. Attend interview and training. If shortlisted, you may be invited to a short practical interview and a conversation with the manager. Successful candidates must attend weekday face-to-face induction and training sessions before permanent weekend shifts begin. Expect verification checks including references and an enhanced DBS.
5. Start on weekends. After passing checks and completing induction, you’ll be scheduled for the Saturday and Sunday shifts (07:00–15:00). Keep lines of communication open with the care team to support resident meal plans and any changing needs.

If you’d like to prepare in advance, gather proof of any catering qualifications and a recent photographic ID, and ensure references from recent employers are contactable. If you have any questions about the role, the Cygnet careers and site pages include a contact email (recruitment@cygnethealth.co.uk) and phone numbers for the Conifers site.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is this role strictly weekends only?
A: Yes — this vacancy is advertised as a weekend-only post working both Saturday and Sunday, typically 07:00–15:00. However, successful applicants should expect weekday face-to-face training sessions during induction.

Q: What checks and training are required?
A: Candidates must complete Cygnet’s induction training, food hygiene training (if not already held), and pass an enhanced DBS (criminal record) check. Training is scheduled by the employer and may include safeguarding, COSHH, and service-specific briefings.

Q: How is pay calculated and what are the hours?
A: The role pays in the range shown (approx. £13.24–£13.69 per hour) and is advertised as a part-time permanent post covering both weekend days. Exact pay and holiday entitlements will be confirmed on offer.

Q: Will I be working with vulnerable adults?
A: Yes — Conifers is a specialist residential home supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism. All kitchen and service tasks are performed with respect to residents’ needs and person-centred care plans.