CookCouncil

Location: Kendal
Contract Type: Permanent x2 contract available

About this opportunity

As a cook, you will be required to plan, prepare, and serve meals that are nutritionally balanced and meet a variety of specific dietary needs. You will support the day to day running of the kitchen, maintaining the highest standards, completing paperwork, and meeting infection control and Environmental Health requirements.

Hourly Rate: £13.70 (£14.23 with supplement – after 6 months)

A market supplement of £0.53p per hour is currently being applied to this role and will be payable once you have been in post for 6 months. The Market Supplement will be applied to both your basic salary and to any additional hours, uplifting the hourly rate to £14.23 per hour.

Who we are looking for…

We are looking for a hardworking and reliable person who is passionate about making a real difference to the lives of our residents, by creating enticing meals and snacks that meet the needs of our residents.

You do not need to have had previous experience in a residential home, as we will support you with the training you need. If you’re friendly and interested in a new challenge, we look forward to hearing from you.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

• Post Specification
• Role Profile

Please note: If the Post Specification for this vacancy states that a UK driving licence is required, non-UK driving licences with entitlement to drive vehicles in the UK will also be accepted.

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 26/11/26

Interview date: W/C 30/11/26

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Interview details such as venue/timings will be shared with successful candidates, following the shortlisting process. If you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.

If you experience any technical difficulties applying for this role, please contact the HR Systems Team at [email protected].

For guidance on the recruitment process, FAQs, and useful tips for completing your application, please visit: Our Approach to Recruitment | Careers

Safer Recruitment & DBS

At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and requires a enhanced DBS check.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.