NHSCT_Senior Housekeeper/Cook Band 3

Job details

• Branch: Northern HSC Trust Area
• Location: Malin’s Wood Children’s Home
• Directorate: Women, Children & Families Division
• Functional Area: Catering Service
• Salary: Band 3 (£24,937 - £26,598)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 14/05/26
• Closes: Thu, 28 May 2026 @ 5:00 PM
• Interview Dates: To Be Confirmed

Notes

Important Information If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

Job Description

Senior Housekeeper/Cook

Job Description

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) is responsible for the delivery of safe and effective health and social care (HSC) services to the population of the Northern Trust area in Northern Ireland.

We provide compassionate care with our community in our community. In order to do this we require the commitment of a highly skilled and professional workforce that meets the need of the service.

The diagram below outlines our values and our objectives which support the delivery of compassionate care within our community.

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times;

HSC Value

What does this mean?

What does this look like in practice? - Behaviours

Working Together

We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.

I work with others and value everyone’s contribution

I treat people with respect and dignity

I work as part of a team looking for opportunities to support and help people in both my own and other teams

I actively engage people on issues that affect them

I look for feedback and examples of good practice, aiming to improve where possible

Compassion

We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.

I am sensitive to the different needs and feelings of others and treat people with kindness

I learn from others by listening carefully to them

I look after my own health and well-being so that I can care for and support others

Excellence

We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes. We deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care and support.

I put the people I care for and support at the centre of all I do to make a difference

I take responsibility for my decisions and actions

I commit to best practice and sharing learning, while continually learning and developing

I try to improve by asking ‘could we do this better?’

Openness & Honesty

We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

I am open and honest in order to develop trusting relationships

I ask someone for help when needed

I speak up if I have concerns

I challenge inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour and practice

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Senior Housekeeper/Cook

BAND: 3

DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Children and Young People Division

INITIAL LOCATION: Malin’s Wood Children’s Home, Dundrod

REPORTS TO: Senior member of staff on duty

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Team Leader / Head of Unit

FLEXIBLE WORKING

PROVISIONS AVAILABLE: Full-time working

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Housekeeper will work as part of a team within the Unit having responsibility for all housekeeping services. They will also provide a catering service and maintain a hygienic environment while encouraging young people within the Unit to be actively involved in day to day tasks.

KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Catering

Planning of meals, ordering stocks within the budget limit

Preparation of food and supervision of the service of meals

Receive food stuffs and check for temperature and quantity, quality and freshness

Checking of deliveries and maintenance of records to ensure correct stock rotation

Maintenance of cleaning schedules, temperature charts, stock ordering, records

Maintain catering practices and a good standard of hygiene in regard to all aspects of the working of a Housekeeping Department including the maintenance of high standard of personal hygiene in accordance with Food Hygiene (General Regulations (NI) 1996)

Responsible for the cleaning of food stores/ kitchen, dining areas plus equipment

Actively engage young people, as part of their care plans to be actively involved in the daily planning and organising of the Housekeeping service, including the purchasing and preparation of food.

Encourage Health and Safety principles throughout the kitchen and the Unit

Household

Maintain a high standard of cleanliness throughout the whole building, including offices, staff rooms, stairways, toilets/showers, kitchen and bedrooms

Order, replenish and maintain stock records of all cleaning products as required

Report any maintenance requirements and maintain appropriate records

Encourage young people and other staff to be involved in duties to maintain the daily upkeep of the building i.e. cleaning, washing up and removal of rubbish

Responsible for the cleaning of all floor areas, sanitary areas, furniture and fittings as well as spot cleaning of walls, windows and glass partitions

Responsible for the removal and changing of all bedding, curtains etc.

Ensure all young people’s rooms are cleaned on a rotational basis including regular changing of bedding

Responsible for the general security of areas. (This may include operation of electronic alarm systems)

Maintain supplies of hand towels, soaps, toilet rolls etc.

Responsible for the laundering and ironing of personal clothing, bed linen, towels etc and distribution

General Responsibilities

Observation of safety regulations

Induction and training of junior staff in all aspects of their role within the Unit

Undertake any training courses, including in house and off the job training as deemed necessary for the post

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:-

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner

At all times demonstrate practice the HSC values of Working Together, Excellence, Openness & Honesty and Compassion

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner which assures patient and client safety

Comply with all instructions in regard to Infection Prevention and Control

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations

Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision

Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HSC Employees which aims to guide staff, managers and employers in the work that they do and the decisions and choices they have to make. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the NHSCT Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

All employees of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including (for example) the ICT Security Policy, Data Quality and Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

SALARY

BAND 3 £24,071 - £25,674 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)

*Please note as this role may not meet the minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa (including a Heath and Care Worker visa) and the Trust will be unable to employ anyone that requires Sponsorship. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration).

HOURS

Normal full-time hours of duty are 37½ hours per week, exclusive of meal times

MEDICAL

Appointment will be subject to a successful pre-employment health assessment.

HOLIDAYS

27 days each year; 29 days after 5 years’ service; 33 days after 10 years’ service and 10 statutory and public holidays.

PENSION

The post-holder can participate in the Health Social Care Pension Scheme.

NORTHERN TRUST BENEFITS

You can explore the benefits on offer to you in the Northern Trust by clicking here

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

You will serve a probationary period of normally six months.

WAITING LIST

A waiting list may be compiled for similar permanent/temporary, full/part time and bank posts which may arise within the next 12 months in Malin’s Wood Children’s Home, Children and Young People Division.

PAY PROTECTION

Legacy Trust Staff who apply for a promotion after 1 April 2011 should be aware that they will lose their legacy protection arrangements and will be entitled to pay protection in accordance with circular HSS (JNF)(1) 2011. This circular will also apply to legacy staff who are currently in receipt of protection and who move post on promotion.

Completed application forms should be returned to the BSO Recruitment and Selection Shared Services Centre, on or before the closing date as stated in the advertisement.

Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.

We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder. We do not intend it to be rigid and inflexible but rather to provide guidelines within which the jobholder works.

June 2025

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Title of Post: Senior Housekeeper/Cook

Band of Post: 3

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

Volunteering experience may be considered appropriate in particular for roles within the context of direct patient/client care.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Registration

Experience

City and Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ level 2 Food Preparations and Cooking.

PLUS

1 years experience as an Assistant Cook/Cook or Housekeeper in the public or private sector.

In addition will also be required to hold a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate or equivalent

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Evidence of the ability to work as part of a team

Evidence of the ability to make efficient use of resources within the catering / housekeeper budget

Evidence of good planning and supervisory skills

Evidence of the ability to communicate effectively

Evidence of the ability to relate to and understand the needs of others and in particular young people

Interview

Knowledge

Awareness of modern trends in catering

Awareness of good catering and housekeeping practices and procedures

Understand importance of hygiene standards

Interview

Special Circumstances

Must be prepared to work on a flexible rota which may include weekends, bank holidays and evening shifts

To cover for absent colleagues as and when required

Value Based Recruitment

Value Based Recruitment is a process adopted by the Northern Trust to attract and select employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with those of the Trust.

It focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ people do what they do.

Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required knowledge, skills, competencies and values to be effective in this new role.

In answering the value based questions you have the opportunity to share examples of when you have demonstrated values relevant to the Northern Trust.

Criminal Offences, Investigations and Charges

Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with the Trust. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate. Where it is necessary to obtain an Access NI disclosure the Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice (www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/accessni-code-practice).

If you require further information or a copy of the policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders or the policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information, please contact the Trust Human Resources Department.

THE NHSCT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

have the right to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.

June 2025