Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHSFT

Cook - Apprenticeship Opportunity

The closing date is 14 April 2026

Job summary

The post-holder will work as part of the catering team to provide ancillary services directly to patients, service users, and customers by preparing, cooking and portioning a range of nutritionally sound, palatable and safe meals, using traditional and cook freeze methods of catering.

A range of duties are covered from the start of the food preparation service through to the delivery to point of use, serving, cleaning and managing stock levels in line with legislative and local policy and procedures

If you don't already have a Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant subject, RDaSH are offering this post alongside the opportunity for you to complete a Level 3apprenticeship qualification [relevant to your role].

As an apprentice within RDaSH you will be given the opportunity to gain experience, learn work-related skills and obtain all the tools needed to thrive.

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. Around 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying. This leads to a nationally recognised qualification.

Whether you already work for us or are joining the Trust and NHS for the first time, apprenticeships can help you to develop the skills, knowledge and know-how in order to embark on a successful and fulfilling career within the health service.

Main duties of the job

Assist in the preparation of raw and cooked foods to produce meals as per standard recipes and portion control methods.Assist in the cooking of menu items ensuring adherence to standard recipes and the correct economical use of ingredientsServing customers from the catering retail outletsResponsible for operating a cash register and cash handling in accordance with the Trust policy on cash handling.Picking and packing food orders for delivery to in patient areas across all sitesDrive a Trust vehicle to deliver patient meals and provisions to in patient areas across all sitesCarry out food hygiene monitoring and complete documents in accordance with Trust Food Hygiene Policy and the HACCP systemAdhere to Trust Policies and Procedures

About us

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) employ around 4000 talented colleagues who are very much appreciated, valued, and respected.

We have a wide portfolio which includes mental health, physical health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services.

We are dedicated to the development of our our people and hold a learning half day every month for our colleagues.

We are passionate about enhancing the quality of our service and we work hard to attract and select the right colleagues for our organisation. Our goal is to employ those who share our passion for providing first class care while remaining committed to our vision and values. Please view our Strategy using the link below:

https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/documents/clinical-and-organisational-strategy-2023-to-2028/

To find out more about working for RDaSH and the fantastic benefits we offer visit our website:

https://workwithrdash.co.uk/

We are committed to inclusive cultures and really value people in our organisation, view our Allyship video on YouTube to find out more:

https://youtu.be/WMJSkLoTk4Q

The main terms and conditions of service can be found here:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/publications/tchandbook

Details

Date posted

31 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

376-CPAO-0681

Job locations

Tickhill Road site

Weston Road

Doncaster

DN4 8QN


Job description

Job responsibilities

Before applying, please view the attached job description and person specification to view the full details about the role.

****If you are applying for this role via the apprenticeship route, please review the attached eligibility document to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria to undertake an apprenticeship****

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if there are a high amount of applications

Job description

Job responsibilities

Before applying, please view the attached job description and person specification to view the full details about the role.

****If you are applying for this role via the apprenticeship route, please review the attached eligibility document to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria to undertake an apprenticeship****

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if there are a high amount of applications

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • English and Maths at level 2 or equivalent (GCSE 9-4 or A*- C or functional skills level 2)
  • NVQ Level 2 in a related subject
  • NVQ level 3 in related subject or willingness to undertake a relevant Level 3 Apprenticeship
  • Basic IT skills Level 1

Experience

Essential

  • Large scale catering experience
  • Customer Care
  • Ability to use a computer to input data, send and receive emails and undertake e-learning
  • Cash handling
  • Hospital or public sector catering environment

Knowledge

Essential

  • Basic knowledge of Health & Safety
  • Food Safety Act 1990
  • Understanding COSHH
  • Understanding of HACCP
  • Better Hospital Foods

Skills/ Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to understand and adhere to standards and procedures
  • Ability to work as a team member
  • Possess excellent hygiene standards
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Communication skills both verbally and written
  • Ability to operate machinery and cooking equipment
  • Flexible and versatile approach
  • Openness to acquire new skills
  • Committed to completing the Level 2 Production Chef Apprenticeship

Desirable

  • Ability to drive a manual or automatic vehicle
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • English and Maths at level 2 or equivalent (GCSE 9-4 or A*- C or functional skills level 2)
  • NVQ Level 2 in a related subject
  • NVQ level 3 in related subject or willingness to undertake a relevant Level 3 Apprenticeship
  • Basic IT skills Level 1

Experience

Essential

  • Large scale catering experience
  • Customer Care
  • Ability to use a computer to input data, send and receive emails and undertake e-learning
  • Cash handling
  • Hospital or public sector catering environment

Knowledge

Essential

  • Basic knowledge of Health & Safety
  • Food Safety Act 1990
  • Understanding COSHH
  • Understanding of HACCP
  • Better Hospital Foods

Skills/ Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to understand and adhere to standards and procedures
  • Ability to work as a team member
  • Possess excellent hygiene standards
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Communication skills both verbally and written
  • Ability to operate machinery and cooking equipment
  • Flexible and versatile approach
  • Openness to acquire new skills
  • Committed to completing the Level 2 Production Chef Apprenticeship

Desirable

  • Ability to drive a manual or automatic vehicle

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHSFT

Address

Tickhill Road site

Weston Road

Doncaster

DN4 8QN


Employer's website

https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHSFT

Address

Tickhill Road site

Weston Road

Doncaster

DN4 8QN


Employer's website

https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Catering Manager

Julie Laggan

julie.laggan@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

31 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

376-CPAO-0681

Job locations

Tickhill Road site

Weston Road

Doncaster

DN4 8QN


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHSFT's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)