Cook
Application Deadline: 21 August 2026
Department: Catering and Domestic Services
Employment Type: Permanent - Part Time
Location: Balerno, Edinburgh
Reporting To: Catering & Domestic Services Manager
Compensation: £25,735 / year
Description
Harmeny Education Trust is a charitable organisation providing therapeutic care and education to children who have experienced early years trauma through abuse, neglect and family disruption, referred from all over Scotland. We work with children and young people aged 5-18, both on a day and all-year-round residential basis.
We are seeking a Cook (Homemaker) to join our Catering and Domestic team on a part-time (0.93 FTE) employed basis. The post-holder will be responsible for ensuring that children and young people live in a homely environment including the cooking of high quality and nutritious food.
Homemakers are required to have an ability to produce consistently excellent and nutritional lunches and evening meals for our children. You will understand the central role that outstanding food preparation has on creating a homely environment within the residential cottage. You will be required to undertake some domestic duties and ensure a high standard of cleanliness. An elementary food hygiene certificate, or higher, is an essential requirement. A qualification in cooking or food preparation is highly desirable; however, training may be provided for the successful candidate.
The successful candidate will work 32.5 hours per week excluding meal breaks, Monday to Friday, 11am - 6pm. There may be opportunities to work additional shifts.
The salary for the post is £25,735.36 per annum, calculated based on a full-time equivalent salary of £27,715.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced practitioner to join a friendly organisation making a difference to the lives of remarkable children in Scotland. Harmeny is a values-led organisation and a good fit with our ethos is as important to us as having relevant experience.
Successful applicants will be required to join Disclosure Scotland’s Protecting Vulnerable Group (PVG) Scheme.
Harmeny is situated in a beautiful 35-acre woodland estate, which includes residential and education accommodation, community garden, orchard, wildlife habitats and children’s play areas. Harmeny is located in Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh, at the foot of the Pentland Hills; we are easily accessible by bus and there is on-site parking available.
We offer benefits and opportunities that promote wellbeing, work-life balance and staff development. Benefits include:
- On-site wellbeing spaces and free massage therapy
- Free gym membership
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to a wellbeing app and counselling
- Access to discounts on shopping and events.
- Access to a comprehensive induction package, and to a range of learning and development opportunities throughout their career with us.
More information on the benefits of working at Harmeny, plus a fuller job description and person specification can be found at
www.harmeny.org.uk/jobs.
If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please contact, Lesley McDonald, Catering and Domestic Services Manager, on 0131 449 3938.
Closing date: 21 August 2026
Interview date: 26 August 2026
Key Responsibilities
Principal Responsibilities:
- Promote a positive ethos in Harmeny consistent with Harmeny’s vision, purpose and core values.
- Support the Catering and Domestic Services Manager with the implementation of management team and Board decisions, cottage development plans, and Harmeny’s policies and procedures.
- Cook and serve meals and snacks in line with the menu agreed with the Catering and Domestic Services Manager and in line with Harmeny’s Healthy Eating Guidelines, and changing diet requirements of the children.
- Maintain food safety when storing, preparing and cooking food. Ensure that routine daily checks, including temperature control during food preparation, service and storage are carried out properly.
- Ensure waste is controlled with regard to preparation and cooking.
- Maintain an excellent standard of hygiene within the kitchen area and public areas within the cottage.
- Maintain a stock of food and cleaning materials within each cottage kitchen.
- Ensure all equipment is in proper working order and liaise with the Catering and Domestic Services Manager and/or Facilities Manager regarding all repairs or replacements needed.
- Ensure tasks are completed in a manner consistent with good health and safety practices. Immediately report all accidents, near misses, damage or breakages to the Catering and Domestic Services Manager.
- Involve children in the process of food preparation and cleaning tasks in line with their individual plans and risk assessments.
- Undertake general domestic duties such as dusting, polishing, laundry, etc.
- Liaise with colleagues including senior staff, the Catering and Domestic Services Manager, Facilities Manager, Senior Cleaning Operative and Cleaning Operatives in ensuring each residential cottage maintains a homely environment for the children/young people.
- Attend regular staff and children’s meetings as required to obtain feedback from service users; the Homemaker should expect to interact with children and care staff.
- Attend supervision, training and other meetings as required.
- Undertake any other duties as delegated by the Catering and Domestic Services Manager or the Senior Management Team which are consistent with the role of Homemaker.
- Be part of the absence cover rota as and when required.
Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
- An elementary food hygiene certificate, or higher.
- Knowledge and experience of meal preparation.
- Knowledge of the guidelines in relation to food hygiene and storage.
- Experience of delivering a catering service to exceptional standards of food and nutrition, and a commitment to high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
- Ability to work effectively and supportively as part of the homemaking team and wider staff group.
- Ability to work in an organised and methodical manner and to act on own initiative if unexpected problems arise.
- A level of knowledge and understanding of the needs of children.
Desirable:
- A qualification in cooking or food preparation.
- Certificate in Health and Safety including knowledge of COSHH regulations, safe storage and working practices.
- Certificate in First Aid.
- Awareness of child protection and safeguarding procedures.
- Knowledge and understanding of children who are looked after and accommodated, and children with complex additional support needs.
- Experience of working in a residential environment, within a multidisciplinary setting.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Seven weeks of annual leave per year (pro rata for part-time hours), inclusive of public holidays
- Pension scheme
- Policies and practices that promote health and wellbeing, including massage therapy, access to wellbeing spaces
- Access to professional development opportunities and comprehensive training programme.
