Join Our Team as an Agency Head Chef
Job Title: Head Chef
Reports To: Nurse In-Charge / Senior Care Assistant / Care Coordinator
Accountable To: Goodwill Healthcare Services Limited (GHS CARE) Agency Manager/Director, Head Chef / Catering Manager / Care Home Manager
Contract Type: Temporary, Agency, Flexible Shifts, Zero-Hour Contract
Hours: Days, Evenings, Weekends, Nights and Bank Holidays as required
Care Homes, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Rehabilitation Units, Healthcare Facilities, and Community Healthcare Settings across Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, Darlington, Redcar, Stockton-on-Tees, Gateshead, Durham, Leeds, and surrounding areas within the Central North East Region, United Kingdom.
As Head Chef, you will lead and manage all catering operations within the care home or healthcare setting, ensuring residents receive safe, nutritious, appetising, and well-balanced meals that promote health, wellbeing, dignity, and quality of life.
You will be responsible for menu planning, food preparation, stock control, budget management, compliance with food safety legislation, HACCP requirements, and the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework. You will provide leadership to the kitchen team while ensuring all meals meet residents' individual dietary, medical, cultural, religious, and nutritional requirements.
Plan, prepare, cook, and serve nutritious, high-quality meals using fresh ingredients in accordance with organisational standards.
Review residents' dietary requirements, nutritional assessments, allergies, and care plans before preparing meals.
Ensure menus meet nutritional guidelines and support residents' health, wellbeing, and hydration needs.
Provide meals that accommodate cultural, religious, medical, and personal preferences.
Prepare specialist diets including diabetic, low-salt, fortified, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergen-controlled, and texture-modified meals.
Work closely with Dietitians, Speech and Language Therapists (SALT), Nurses, and Care Staff regarding nutritional requirements.
Promote resident choice and involvement in menu planning and food-related activities.
Monitor food intake concerns and communicate nutritional risks to relevant healthcare professionals.
Ensure all texture-modified meals and thickened fluids comply with current IDDSI standards.
Implement systems for the safe preparation, serving, and labelling of modified diets.
Train and support kitchen staff in IDDSI compliance and safe dysphagia meal preparation.
Work collaboratively with clinical teams to support residents with swallowing difficulties.
Maintain records relating to specialist dietary requirements and texture-modified meals.
Lead, supervise, and organise the daily activities of the kitchen team.
Allocate duties and monitor staff performance to ensure efficient service delivery.
Provide mentoring, support, and training to kitchen assistants and catering staff.
Promote a positive, professional, and collaborative working environment.
Conduct induction and competency assessments where required.
Act as a positive role model demonstrating professionalism, teamwork, and accountability.
Ensure full compliance with Food Safety Act requirements, Environmental Health standards, and HACCP principles.
Implement and maintain food safety management systems.
Monitor critical control points and complete food safety documentation accurately.
Conduct and record food temperature monitoring, cleaning schedules, and stock checks.
Ensure allergen management procedures are followed in accordance with legislation.
Maintain kitchen hygiene standards that meet regulatory inspection requirements.
Prepare for and support Environmental Health Officer inspections and audits.
Manage food purchasing, stock control, and storage procedures efficiently.
Monitor food costs and work within agreed budgets.
Ensure effective stock rotation using FIFO (First In, First Out) principles.
Minimise food waste through effective menu planning and stock management.
Maintain accurate purchasing, stock, and wastage records.
Ensure secure storage of food, equipment, and supplies.
Maintain high standards of food presentation, portion control, and service delivery.
Regularly seek feedback from residents, relatives, staff, and management.
Participate in resident meetings and satisfaction surveys relating to food services.
Promote a dining experience that supports residents' dignity, independence, and wellbeing.
Continually review and improve catering services.
Maintain accurate records of menus, dietary requirements, stock levels, food temperatures, cleaning schedules, and incidents.
Complete all HACCP documentation and food safety records accurately.
Report incidents, accidents, complaints, and concerns in accordance with company procedures.
Maintain documentation relating to nutritional assessments and specialist diets where required.
Ensure the principle of accountability through accurate and timely record keeping.
Ensure compliance with Health and Safety legislation and company policies.
Promote safe working practices within the kitchen environment.
Report accidents, incidents, hazards, equipment faults, and maintenance concerns immediately.
Participate in fire safety procedures, emergency drills, and business continuity plans.
Ensure safe operation and maintenance of kitchen equipment.
Support safeguarding practices and the welfare of vulnerable adults.
Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and infection prevention within food preparation areas.
Ensure effective cleaning and sanitisation of kitchen equipment and workspaces.
Promote hand hygiene and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where appropriate.
Follow outbreak and infection control procedures as directed.
Communicate professionally with residents, families, care staff, healthcare professionals, suppliers, and management.
Address residents respectfully and support positive mealtime experiences.
Participate in multidisciplinary discussions relating to nutrition and wellbeing.
Provide clear handovers and updates to colleagues and management.
Treat residents, visitors, and colleagues with dignity, fairness, and respect.
Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and person-centred care.
Respect cultural, religious, and lifestyle dietary requirements.
Maintain confidentiality in accordance with GDPR and organisational policies.
NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery, Catering, Hospitality, or equivalent qualification.
Food Hygiene Certificate Level 3 or above.
HACCP Certification.
Food Allergen Awareness Training.
Previous experience as a Chef or Head Chef within a care home, healthcare, hospitality, or catering environment.
Experience managing kitchen teams and food budgets.
Knowledge of nutritional requirements for older people and vulnerable adults.
Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
Right to Work in the United Kingdom.
Knowledge of IDDSI Framework and Dysphagia Diet Management.
Experience within care homes, nursing homes, hospitals, or healthcare catering services.
Infection Prevention and Control Training.
Health and Safety Qualification.
First Aid Awareness.
Full UK Driving Licence.
The successful candidate may be required to complete and maintain annual updates in:
Food Hygiene Level 3 or Higher
HACCP
Food Allergen Awareness
IDDSI Awareness
Infection Prevention and Control
Health and Safety
Fire Safety
Manual Handling
Safeguarding Adults
Equality and Diversity
GDPR and Confidentiality
At GHS CARE, we recognise the vital role catering professionals play in supporting nutrition, recovery, wellbeing, and quality of life.
We offer:
Competitive pay rates
Flexible shifts to suit your lifestyle
Weekly payroll
Ongoing professional development
Supportive management and friendly teams
Opportunities for career progression
Access to temporary and permanent placements
Opportunities to work across a variety of healthcare and care settings
If you are passionate about delivering high-quality food services and supporting the wellbeing of residents and patients, we would love to hear from you.
Please submit your CV to GHS CARE Recruitment Team.
Why Work with Goodwill Healthcare Services (GHS CARE) to Secure Your Next Role? Whether you’re a registered nurse, healthcare assistant, allied health professional, or administrative staff member, we offer temporary and permanent placements that fit your skills, preferences, and schedule. Our extensive network of healthcare facilities and organisations allows us to match you with positions that align with your expertise and career goals.
GHS CARE is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, right-to-work checks, employment verification, and Enhanced DBS clearance where applicable.
Apply now and take the next step in your career.
Apply for this positionEmployment Type
Part Time
Category
Chef
Posted
11 May 2026