Head Cook
Church Walk, Rochdale
Position: Head Cook *£300 Welcome Bonus *
Care Home: Church Walk
Location: Kirkholt, Rochdale (OL11 2QX)
Contract type: Permanent - full time hours available
Shifts Available: Flexible (Incl. weekends)
Rate/Salary: Up to £10.46 ph dependent on experience
CQC Rating: Good (30-Dec-20)
About Exemplar Health Care:
We have over 20 years of experience providing exceptional specialist nursing care for adults living with complex and high acuity needs. We started our journey as a training company, and have grown into one of the country’s leading providers of adult specialist care, with over 35 complex needs care homes in England.
Our vision is that adults living with complex needs can access outstanding specialist care and support, in a community-based home that’s close to their family and friends, and that focuses on their personal goals and outcomes. Our person-centred care is the bedrock for maximising independence, building everyday living skills and empowering people to live as fulfilled lives as possible.
Our mission is to make every day better for the people we support and our colleagues. We’re proud of the culture that we’ve created at Exemplar Health Care, which is underpinned by our vision, mission and values.
About Church Walk:
Church Walk supports 18 adults living with complex mental health needs, neuro-disabilities such as Huntington’s disease, and physical disabilities.
The home has two ten-bed units which gives it a homely and welcoming feel. One of the units is exclusively for those who identify as male and have complex mental health needs.
Church Walk is rated ‘Good’ with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and has an average rating of 5 out of 5 on carehome.co.uk.
Church Walk's latest CQC report can be found here: https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-118018570
To take a virtual tour of Church Walk click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rl4kLQLtaY
About the Role:
As a Head Cook at Church Walk, you’ll lead the Catering Team in providing delicious, healthy and nutritious meals for our service users.
This is an exciting opportunity to use your cooking skills to make a real difference! One of our values is fun, and we expect our Head Cook to get involved in all aspects of care home life. There’ll be lots of opportunities to use your creative flair to make tasty treats for activities, events and parties in the home.
The role is very hands on. As well as managing the day-to-day running of the kitchen, you’ll prepare, cook and serve food.
The people who live at Church Walk may have complex dietary requirements due to their medical conditions. You’ll take the time to understand people’s likes, needs and choices, and develop suitable menus.
As a manager, you’ll ensure the team complies with food hygiene standards, complete the relevant checks and records, and control stock and purchases within an allocated budget.
This role has line management responsibility, in which you’ll ensure that your team is adequately inducted, trained and supported.
Being a head Cook at Church Walk is extremely rewarding. You’ll see the difference you make each and every day, which provides great job satisfaction.
If you’re looking for an exciting new catering role, read the job description and person specification to find out more.
About You:
You will:
- Be a qualified chef with a minimum of a relevant Level 3 qualification
- Hold an in-date Food Handling Certificate
- Have an understanding of our Service User's religious and dietary requirements
- Have experience in leading kitchen staff in a healthcare setting
- Polite & professional, with a positive attitude
About Your Career:
At Exemplar Health Care, we’re committed to investing in our colleagues.
As a Head Cook at Church Walk, there are lots of opportunities to do continuing professional development and progress in your career if you wish.
We offer a range of in-house and external training programmes including:
- A bespoke induction
- Mandatory and statutory training (MAST) to refresh your skills
About Your Benefits*:
We know that happy colleagues make the best colleagues! Exemplar Health Care has a unique rewards and benefits package. So whilst you’re busy caring for our Service Users, you can be assured that we’re caring for you.
Here are just a few of the ways we like to say thank you:
- Lifestyle and retail discounts at over 250 high street retailers
- Award winning 24/7 employee counselling and support service
- Paid DBS check
- Exceptional development opportunities including CPD Certificated programmes
- fastPAYE – access your wage for additional hours worked before payday
- Blue Light Card access
- Company Shop membership
- Free uniform
About Our Values:
Our values underpin everything that we do and ensure that we continue to make every day better for our service users and colleagues. We look for these values in everyone who works with Exemplar Health Care:
- Fun
- Integrity
- Responsive
- Success
- Teamwork
Read more about our values here - https://www.exemplarhc.com/careers/our-values
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging:
At Exemplar Health Care you will work in an inclusive environment in which we champion diversity. We understand the importance of our workforce representing the communities and populations we serve. We provide a work place where you are encouraged to be yourself whilst offering our colleagues and our service users support, care and a place of belonging.
How to Apply:
If this role sounds like a good match for you, please contact our Recruitment Team on 01977 630 830 for an informal chat or alternatively email: Pod6@ExemplarHC.com
*T&Cs apply

Colleague stories
“There are many career opportunities at Exemplar Health Care and the support that I’ve received has been amazing. Everyone at Exemplar Health Care is committed to not only our residents, but each other. I am proud to be part of the Exemplar family.”
Nurse – Exemplar Health Care
Rewarding your dedication
Whether it’s RCNi membership or NMC PIN payment for Nurses, or lifestyle and retail discounts for everyone, we’re always thinking about new ways of saying ‘thank you’ for being part of our team.

Lifestyle and retail discounts - all colleagues can access great savings and monthly discounts on high street shops, restaurants, pubs and holidays, as well as 2-for-1 cinema tickets.

Employee Assistance Programme - all colleagues can access 24/7 counselling and support through our wellbeing partner, Care First.

Pension plan - after 3 months, you’ll be auto-enrolled into our pension scheme with NOW pensions, where you’ll have up to 5% of your earnings (depending on your salary) put into the pension and we’ll contribute an additional 3%.

Paid DBS check - we’ll pay for all new starters to have a DBS check, so you don’t need to cover the cost.

Referral bonus - if you recommend a friend for a care role with us, you’ll both receive £150, and you can refer as many people as you like.

Career development opportunities - there are lots of opportunities to develop your skills and progress in your career at Exemplar Health Care, if you wish. Find out more.