POST: Training Kitchen Coordinator
SALARY: £26,000 - £28,000
LOCATION: Warrington (Dallam Lane)
REPORTING TO: Catering Lead
CONTRACT: Permanent: Full Time, 40 hours per week - this post may be suitable for job-share.
BENEFITS: Workplace pension; 33 days holiday inclusive of Bank Holidays, use of gym facilities, access to onside Network Talent Academy, Employee Assistance Programme
THE PERSON
Do you love cooking and training young people to become independent? Are you passionate about giving young people in Warrington a healthy and positive future? Are you happy coaching and teaching young people? Do you want to use your skills knowledge and passion to enable young people to have somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to?
WARRINGTON YOUTH ZONE
Warrington Youth Zone is dedicated to young people and makes a bold statement about the importance of giving young people high quality places to go in their leisure time. Open 7 days a week including school holidays, the Youth Zone’s purpose is to help young people grow to be happy, healthy and successful adults.
The state-of-the-art £7.05 million building provides young people with facilities that are second to none delivering over 20 sporting, artistic, cultural and general recreational activities each session. Offering young people the opportunity to try new things, meet new friends and gain support from friendly, warm and positive staff and volunteers.
With every workout or kickabout, every mock interview or muck around with mates, young people develop the resilience to face challenges and the skills to solve problems. They find confidence to aim high and the determination to become who they want to be. They build positive relationships based on being given the space to talk, an understanding of their own self-worth, and a sense of belonging to something bigger.
That is why Warrington Youth Zone isn’t just be a place to go – but a place to grow. That is the power of exceptional youth work. See more at https://warringtonyouthzone.org/about-us/
THE ROLE
Do you have a knowledge and understanding of health and hygiene in a formal kitchen environment and also love cooking and training young people to become independent? Are you motivated, energetic and organised? Are you passionate about giving young people in Warrington a healthy and positive future? Are you happy coaching and teaching young people? Do you want to use your skills knowledge and passion to enable young people to have somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to?
No two days are the same, so versatility is key. In addition to supporting the young people to become self sufficient and giving them life skills.
Join us in shaping a vibrant, inclusive community where young people feel valued, supported and connected to the Youth Zone and the wider community.
HOW TO APPLY
Send an Email to [email protected] to obtain an application form and submit this to the same address on completion, or visit our website www.warringtonyouthzone.org.uk
GENERAL INFORMATION: As this is a full time vacancy, there are a range of hours available, weekday evenings and weekend working will be essential.
APPLICATION PROCESS: To apply, on receipt of completed application form, your application will be shortlisted and if you meet the initial requirements of the role, you will be contacted to attend interview.
In addition, please let us know of any reasonable adjustments we can make to assist you in your application or the selection process.
For information regarding how Warrington Youth Zone processes your data, go to https://warringtonyouthzone.org/privacy-policy/
In accordance with our Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, this position requires an Enhanced DBS check for the successful candidate.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:
The application window for this vacancy closes at the end of the day on 20th September 2026.
However, we encourage you to apply as early as possible as we may close the vacancy ahead of the stated deadline depending on the volume of applications received.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- To work directly with young people to plan, lead and deliver safe, fun and structured cooking sessions across all of Warrington Youth Zone sessions, which are progressive and reflect the needs of young people (includes holiday clubs and satellite centres).
- To take ownership of the health and hygiene of the Training Kitchen to ensure the area meets the standards expected in line with Food Hygiene expectations.
- To ensure that the training kitchen is fully stocked of equipment and food items required to carry out the sessions directly with young people.
- Designing the session plan and menu for all sessions and manage the staffing rota for those sessions. (including but not limited to, 9 sessions a week, Youth Zone planned events, home education sessions and AQA).
- To contribute to a training cooking programme that is high quality and meets the needs of the young people, including young people with additional needs and young people who typically do not engage.
- To support other programmes that contributes to the wider youth work agenda, supporting the development of young people.
- To confidently manage and establish positive relationships with groups of young people.
- To complete session evaluations with children and young people. Provide information for evaluation reports for funders.
- To work with young people from a range of backgrounds and with a range of needs.
- Effectively communicate at all levels, orally and in writing.
- To work alongside other team members and provide guidance and support to young leaders and volunteers.
- To attend regular training and development sessions and events where required.
- To deliver awards to young people and co-ordinate volunteering opportunities in cooking and kitchen skills.
- To assist in identifying talented young people and encourage further development.
- To maintain current knowledge of relevant cooking and hygiene policies and practices.
- Be a role model for young people and present a positive “can do” attitude.
- Take personal responsibility for own actions.
- Commit to a culture of continuous improvement.
- Work within the performance framework of Warrington Youth Zone.
- Comply with all policies and procedures, with particular reference to safeguarding, codes of conduct health and safety and equality and diversity to ensure all activities are accessible.
- To be alert to issues of safeguarding and child protection, ensuring the welfare and safety of Youth Zone members is promoted and safeguarded, and to report any child protection concerns to the designated Safeguarding Lead using the safeguarding policies, procedures and practice (training to be provided).
- Represent Warrington Youth Zone positively and effectively in all dealings with internal colleagues, and external partners.
- To actively promote the Youth Zone and positively contribute towards increasing Youth Zone membership.
- Any other duties as may reasonably be required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the experience, skills, abilities and attributes listed below throughout the recruitment process. However, if you do not meet every requirement but feel you have a strong and relevant transferrable skill or lived experience to draw from, we encourage you to apply. Here at Warrington Youth Zone, we are committed to driving change and to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace so if you are excited about this role but your past experiences do not align perfectly, please tell us how your experience is transferrable.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Experience of working with groups of young people aged 7 to 19, or up to age 25 with additional needs - Essential
Experience of working with young people from diverse backgrounds and with challenging needs - Essential
Experience of teaching cooking, preparing meals & domestic budgeting - Essential
Experience of team working and working alongside volunteers - Essential
Experience of working with young people with additional needs - Desirable
Ability to deliver high quality cooking/healthy eating programmes with young people who face social exclusion, disadvantage and disaffection and manage such a group - Essential
Able to work as part of a team and under own initiative - Essential
Able to support the planning and evaluation of programs of activity including production of session plans and program reports - Essential
Able to communicate effectively with young people, parents, team members and members of the public -Essential
Able to deliver within an equal opportunities framework - Essential
Ability to engage and build positive relationships with young people including disengaged and disadvantaged young people - Essential
Ability to coach, encourage, motivate and provide reliable support to young people - Essential
Understand the principles of working with young people, the issues affecting their lives and knowledge of their needs - Essential
Knowledge of health and safety, diversity awareness and safeguarding best practice - Essential
Culinary knowledge of meals from different cultures - Desirable
QUALIFICATIONS
Relevant experience to the role - Essential
Level 2 Youth Work Qualification -Desirable
Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate - Desirable
First Aid qualification - Desirable
Evidence of ongoing professional development - Desirable
GCSE or equivalent literacy and numeracy - Desirable
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A willingness to work unsociable hours - Essential
A willingness to cover events, holidays and staff absence - Essential
Enhanced DBS clearance. Commitment to Safeguarding children - Essential
Job Types: Permanent, Full-time
Pay: £26,000.00-£28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
