Temporary Head Chef

Bamber Bridge, England, United Kingdom

5/29/2025

Head Chef (Temp Contract - Mental Health Rehabilitation)

Brookhaven, Bamber Bridge, Preston

Part-Time | Fixed-Term (2 Months from June)

£15.00 per hour | Approx. 29 Hours Per Week

Do you take pride in creating high-quality, nutritious meals that make a real impact? Are you passionate about leading a kitchen team and delivering an excellent service that supports the wellbeing of others? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

The Role

We’re looking for a temporary Head Chef to join us at Brookhaven, our open rehabilitation service in Bamber Bridge. This is a fixed-term contract for 2 months from June, covering a rolling shift pattern averaging 29 hours per week:

• Week 1: Monday: 8:00am - 6:00pm, Saturday & Sunday: 8:30am - 5:30pm
• Week 2: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
  
  

This pattern will repeat for the duration of the contract.

You’ll lead the kitchen, ensuring nutritious meals are delivered to meet the individual needs of our service users. You’ll manage a small team, oversee compliance, and contribute to our supportive, recovery-focused environment.

Key Benefits

• Extra paid day off every year for your birthday
• Annual leave starts at the statutory minimum + 2 extra days
• Additional annual leave awarded at 2 and 5 years’ service
• Refer a Friend scheme - earn up to £500 per referral
• Company Sick Pay - 5 days per year after 2 years’ service
• Health Cash Plan - covers dental, optical, virtual GP, counselling, and includes discounted gym membership
  
  

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare nutritious, well-presented meals to suit individual dietary needs
• Lead and support a small kitchen team
• Manage stock, ordering, and kitchen budgets
• Maintain high hygiene and food safety standards
• Contribute to audits and service improvements
  
  

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Experience working in a busy kitchen
• Confident leading a team and managing kitchen operations
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene and dietary needs
• NVQ Level 2 in Food Safety (or equivalent) and a valid Food Hygiene Certificate
• Well-organised with great communication and time management skills
• Ability to adapt meals to individual needs
  
  

Desirable:

• Experience in mental health or care settings
• NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care
• First Aid Certificate
• Full UK driving licence
  
  

Our Core Benefits

• Supportive and friendly team environment with ongoing training and development
• Workplace pension scheme
• Free Blue Light Card membership
• Free enhanced DBS checks, on-site parking, and lunch (for site-based roles)
  
  

About Brookhaven

Located in Bamber Bridge, Brookhaven is a 23-bed, mixed-gender open rehabilitation service for individuals aged 18+ with enduring mental health needs. Our experienced multidisciplinary team delivers inclusive, recovery-focused care, offering access to community-based leisure activities, adult education, and vocational work schemes.

If this sounds like the rewarding role you’ve been searching for, APPLY TODAY and join our friendly, supportive team!

Active Pathways Ltd is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We respect and empower each individual and support diverse cultures, perspectives, skills, and experiences within our workforce. We welcome applications from diverse candidates and provide support during our recruitment processes to enable all applicants to perform at their best.

• While this day may not always fall on your exact birthday due to service needs or non-working days, you can take it anytime within three months of your birthday.