School Cook & Life Skills Instructor

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic School Cook & Life Skills Instructor to lead our kitchen and inspire students through food, cooking and everyday life skills. This is a unique opportunity to combine your passion for food with meaningful work that changes lives. You'll create fresh, nutritious meals that students and staff look forward to each day, while also helping young people develop the confidence, independence and practical skills they need for adulthood. Unlike many chef roles, you'll enjoy a better work-life balance with Monday to Friday, term-time working, giving you evenings, weekends and school holidays away from the kitchen. You'll have the freedom to plan menus, introduce new ideas and take ownership of a kitchen that sits at the heart of our school community. Just as importantly, you'll support students to develop cooking, food preparation and employability skills, helping them gain valuable real-world experience and confidence for the future. Every meal you prepare and every skill you teach will contribute to helping our students thrive. What you will be doing

• Preparing fresh, nutritious and appealing meals for students and staff each day.
• Planning varied menus that cater for dietary needs, allergies and individual requirements.
• Leading engaging cooking and life skills sessions that build students' confidence and independence.
• Supporting students to gain practical kitchen experience and develop skills for adulthood and employment.
• Managing the day-to-day operation of the kitchen, including stock control, ordering and budgeting.
• Maintaining exceptional food hygiene, health and safety and compliance standards.
• Creating a welcoming kitchen environment where students can learn, participate and succeed.
  
  We're looking for someone who is passionate about food, enjoys working with young people and wants a role with real purpose.
• Experience working in a catering, school, care or similar kitchen environment.
• The ability to prepare fresh, nutritious meals to a consistently high standard.
• Good knowledge of food hygiene, food safety and safe kitchen practices.
• Confidence in planning menus and catering for a range of dietary requirements.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage stock, ordering and budgets.
• The confidence to engage, support and inspire students through cooking and life skills activities.
• A positive, reliable and flexible approach with excellent communication skills.
  
  Options Trent Acres School is an independent specialist school in rural Staffordshire for students with autism, trauma, attachment, anxiety, and other complex needs.
We provide a nurturing, safe, and structured environment where we strive to make sure students feel valued and experience a sense of belonging. Small groups, with high staff ratios, and child centred programmes support social, emotional, and academic development that help our students grow in to well adjusted members of the wider world. Integrated clinical care and strong family partnerships empower every student to build confidence, independence, and the skills to thrive in life. For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care. We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support