Recruitment Information Pack
Job Title Cook
Reference No 378.26
Location Colinshiel Court, Armadale
Hours 20
Salary £15,242 - £17,175 pro rata
Status Permanent
Thank you for your interest in this post, if you have any questions in relation to the recruitment process please contact our recruitment team on 01506 28 22 22 or email [email protected].
About West Lothian
Located in the central belt, West Lothian is within easy commuting distance of both Glasgow and Edinburgh and is supported by excellent road and rail links. The three main towns in West Lothian are less than 30 minutes by road from Edinburgh and 45 minutes from Glasgow. West Lothian also has direct rail links from its 12 stations to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
West Lothian has the youngest, fastest growing population in Scotland, a business friendly community and a track record in
attracting inward investors. The area’s strength as a business location is mirrored by its reputation as a great place to live, work and visit.
It has a vibrant economy that benefits from being located in the central belt making West Lothian Scotland’s hub. 6% of Scotland’s population, some 3 million people and an estimated 54% of Scotland’s businesses are within an hour’s travelling time of West Lothian.
Property costs are 30% lower than Edinburgh or Glasgow and West Lothian is only 30/45 minutes away from the city centres. Steeped in history and with attractive country parks, quality shopping, a variety of entertainment and great places to eat and relax, West Lothian has a lot to offer. The area has some of the best shopping around and Livingston is the fastest growing shopping centre in Scotland.
The area also boasts a range of fun and family friendly attractions including; the Linlithgow Canal Centre, Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Scottish Owl Centre and the Five Sisters Zoo.
About the council
We are an award winning council who pride ourselves on delivering innovative, high quality services to our 172,000 residents. With over 8,000 employees providing more than 100 services, the council is the largest employer in the area and offers excellent terms, conditions and working arrangements associated with a modern progressive employer.
The council’s corporate management structure is headed by the Chief Executive with the Head of Finance & Estates and three Depute Chief Executives as direct reports each of whom has individual responsibility for a portfolio of services covering:
Education, Planning and Area Services
Corporate, Operational and Housing Services
West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership
There are nine Heads of Service who report individually to specific Depute Chief Executives and each of whom has responsibility for the leadership and management of a range of services.
The council’s Corporate Plan sets out the overall strategic direction and council priorities for 2013-17. The plan identifies the
specific outcomes to be achieved over this period and details how these outcomes will be delivered in terms of the council’s overall aim of improving the quality of life for the people of West Lothian.
The council is experiencing a period of significant challenge generated by various public sector reforms and spending constraints. By building on strong performance and a culture of continuous improvement, the council has committed to the delivery of an ambitious programme of change to modernise and improve services over the next four years.
About Social Policy
Social Policy encompasses a wide range of services planned for and delivered to a large number of people with a spectrum of differing needs. Social Policy services have a duty to meet the needs of the vulnerable in communities.
Community Care
Community Care spans a wide range of services to adults who have care needs. Services include care at home, care homes, occupational therapy, sheltered housing and housing with care, support for people with learning and physical disabilities and support for people with mental health problems.
The main aim of the service is to promote, enable and sustain independence and social inclusion for service users and carers.
Children & Families
The primary function of Children & Families is to ensure that children, young people and families can maximise their potential through the identification of additional support services. The service delivers services that are child centred, developed in partnership with other organisations and with families themselves that tackle inequalities and focus on improved outcomes for children.
Criminal & Youth Justice Service
The main focus of the service is on providing services statutorily required through legislation for the assessment, supervision and management of offenders. The service supports offenders to live in the community an works to ensure that the aims of reducing reoffending are achieved.
Health Improvement
In collaboration with NHS Lothian, the council aims to improve the health and wellbeing of those who live and work in West Lothian. The Health Improvement Team supports other service areas and agencies to recognise and improve their health improvement function, ensuring that policies and practices impact positively on individual and population health.
Council Strategies
Social Policy has responsibility for the development and implementation of the Integrated Children’s Services Plan, Public Protection Strategy, Reducing Reoffending Strategy, Older People Joint Commissioning Plan, Learning Disabilities Joint Commissioning Plan, Physical Disabilities Joint Commissioning Plan, Mental Health Joint Commissioning Plan, Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs Partnership Joint Commissioning Plan
Social Policy Service Structure
Depute Chief
Executive
Head of Social
Policy
Community Care
& Support
Services
Community Care
Assessment &
Prevention
Children & Early
Intervention
Young People &
Public Protection
How to apply
Our preferred method of receiving applications is on line. However, you can, if you wish complete a paper application form. In the interests of equality we do not accept C.Vs.
All applications must be received by the closing date stated on the advert and any late applications will not be accepted. Where there have been a high number of applications for a post, we may decide to close the post early. If you have started to apply for a post on line and the closing date is changed you will receive an email alert informing you of the revised closing date.
We do not keep copies of application forms on file for any future similar vacancies and therefore you will need to complete a separate application form for each post that you apply for. However, when applying on line the system will remember your core details.
If you apply for a post on line we will contact you using the email address you have provided. If you do not have an email address you can sign up for a free account through internet providers such as Yahoo, Hotmail or Googlemail.
If you would like us to acknowledge receipt of a paper application, then please enclose a stamped addressed envelope with your application form.
The information you provide in your application is used to determine whether or not you should be shortlisted for interview. It is therefore in your interest to complete the form fully and carefully. Your application form should contain sufficient information to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience required for the post.
What happens next?
Following consideration of your application you will be notified as to whether or not you have been selected for interview.
If you are selected for interview you will receive a letter from us confirming this and asking you to log in to the Myjobscotland website and select a suitable interview time. If you are not selected for interview you will receive a letter confirming this.
Successful Candidate
The successful candidate will receive a conditional offer of employment, pending completion of the following checks, as appropriate.
Pre-employment health check References
PVG
Eligibility to work in the UK
A formal offer of employment will be issued only when all checks have been satisfactorily completed. If you have any questions please email [email protected]
WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL. COMMUNITY SERVICES.
JOB DESCRIPTION.
POST. COOK
RESPONSIBLE TO. HOUSING SUPPORT MANAGER.
LOCATION. HOUSING WITH CARE. The Post.
Responsible for the day to day preparation of meals, snacks and any form of food
preparation required to meet the needs of the tenants who live within the Housing with Care complex. A Café Resource is also available to the tenants and members of the local
community with a simple menu on offer. Any other duties, which may be required in relation to Food Hygiene guidelines.
Description of Duties.
Carry out all preparation and cooking of food. Responsible for serving and presentation of food.
Undertake any cleaning activities necessary to ensure that standards of hygiene, Health and Safety are maintained to a high standard in the kitchen and other associated areas.
This includes store rooms cupboards, daily oven cleaning, the cleaning of specialised equipment e.g. mixers, vegetable machines.
Report any faults of malfunctions in kitchen equipment to the appropriate person.
Report any other problems which affects the smooth running of the kitchen and associated areas.
Ordering and checking of goods delivered against copy orders, ensuring quality and quantity.
Stock control and knowledge of meal costs to ensure good financial management of budget. Recording temperatures of fridges/freezers.
Raw and cooked food temperature control.
The prevention of cross contamination by adherence to procedures and policies. The control of raw materials.
Assist/undertake Hygiene training. Implement HACCP.
Maintain identification of High Risk foods.
Ordering stock via PICOS system (training will be provided) Completion of invoices
Ensuring that appropriate Risk ~Assessments are undertaken for all aspects of the kitchen and café service.
Maintenance of daily documentation in accordance with Environmental Health and Health and Safety requirements and organised record keeping.
Undertake Tenant Visits to monitor and record Tenant satisfaction of meal service and provide opportunity to develop new menu from Tenant feedback.
Menu Planning to ensure well balanced meals are on offer. Knowledge of special dietary requirements.
Supervision and ongoing training of Assistant Cook and Community Resource Catering Assistants. Responsibility for Rota in conjunction with Manager.
Any other duties that the Cook and the Manager considers a necessary part of the smooth operation of the kitchen and associated areas.
Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge.
The postholder will require to be qualified, to City And Guilds 706/1/2 or equivalent, and also be prepared to undertake any other training required to ensure up to date skills and
knowledge on new legislation in relation to Food Hygiene.
Essential.
City and Guilds 706/1/2 or equivalent
Desirable.
Current relevant experience managing a commercial kitchen. Driving licence.
Other Information.
Terms and Conditions of Employment for Employees Conditions of
Service
Conditions of Service are those of the Scottish Joint Council for Local Government employees as adopted and amended by West Lothian Council
Hours of Work Hours of work for a full time post are 36 hours per week. The standard working hours are Monday – Thursday 8.30 – 5.00, Friday 8.30 – 4.00.
School based staff are employed on sessional contracts of either 38, 39 or 40 weeks.
Pay Employees are paid by bank transfer on the last Thursday of the month. Where appropriate you will receive an annual increment on the 1st April each year, until you reach the top of the grade.
Annual Leave Depending on length of service you will be entitled to either 25 (180 hours) or 30 (216 hours) days annual leave, this will be pro-rated for part time employees. The leave year is 1st January to 31st December.
School based sessional staff will receive additional pay, depending on their length of service, to reflect their annual leave entitlement.
Public Holidays There are 7 paid public holidays.
Part time employees will be given a pro -rated entitlement to reflect their particular working arrangements.
Sickness Absence
Your entitlement to sickness allowance will be in accordance with the Scheme of Sickness Absence set out within the National Agreement on Pay and Conditions of Service for Scottish Local Government employees.
Pension You are legally required to make provision for your pension. Employees with permanent contracts, or temporary contracts for 3 months or more, will automatically become members of the Local Government Pension Fund, unless they apply to opt out. Pension contributions are based on your salary.
Performance Review and Personal
All employees are entitled to an annual review with their
manager, to identify any development needs and set objectives for the coming year.
Development Employee Benefits
The council has negotiated discounts for employees with over 90 local businesses and over 1,000 businesses nationally. Childcare vouchers are offered and employees can take advantage of 20% off membership and free joining fees with West Lothian Leisure.
To promote the council’s commitment to having a healthy workforce, counselling and physiotherapy are also offered to employees.
Pool Cars The council provides access to pool cars for employees who need to drive as part of their job. You must have a valid driving licence.
Trade Union The council supports collective bargaining and you have the right to join a trade union and take part in its activities and are encouraged to do so.
Health and Safety The council is committed to ensuring a healthy and safe
working environment for all employees. Health and safety responsibilities are set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Supplementary Policy and Safety Arrangements booklet for your workplace.