SVQ Cooking and Nutrition Instructor

Location: HMP Addiewell
Hours: 40 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
Salary: £29,125 rising to £31,144 on successful completion of probationary period

HMP Addiewell is a high‑security establishment focused on helping individuals change the direction of their lives. We prioritise addressing offending behaviour through targeted programmes and close work with professionals, while providing education, training and employment opportunities that build practical skills. We also work with community partners to support positive futures after release.

About the role

Are you passionate about cooking, education and helping people develop skills for the future?

We are looking for an SVQ Cooking & Nutrition Instructor to join our team at HMP Addiewell, delivering engaging practical and classroom-based learning in cookery, nutrition and food hygiene.

This is an opportunity to use your professional cooking and teaching skills to make a meaningful difference. You will support learners to develop practical skills, gain recognised qualifications and build the confidence and independence they need to prepare for life beyond custody.

Working within a secure environment, you will deliver a range of learning opportunities including SVQ Professional Cookery, food hygiene and practical cooking skills, while adapting your approach to meet the needs and learning styles of individual learners.

What you'll be doing

• Plan and deliver engaging practical and classroom-based sessions in cooking, nutrition and food hygiene.
• Deliver and support learners working towards relevant SVQ and Qualification Scotland qualifications.
• Prepare schemes of work, lesson plans and appropriate learning resources.
• Assess learner work and prepare learners for assessments in line with awarding body requirements.
• Monitor learner attendance, progress, achievement and progression.
• Maintain accurate educational and qualification records.
• Adapt teaching methods and resources to meet different learning needs and abilities.
• Provide advice and guidance to support appropriate learner placement and progression.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, health & safety and quality within the teaching kitchen.
• Maintain appropriate stock, equipment and tool-control records.
• Work closely with colleagues, prison staff and rehabilitation teams to support purposeful activity and learner development.
• Encourage learners to develop transferable skills, independence and practical abilities that can support their future employment.
• Contribute to course reviews, quality improvement and the development of teaching practice.
• Support learner engagement and recruitment to courses.
• Work within the requirements of external awarding bodies and relevant teaching, assessment and quality assurance standards.
• Work as part of a wider team to support the delivery of the SPS contract.
• Attend occasional pre-arranged evening and weekend sessions as required.

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone who can combine professional cooking knowledge with strong teaching and communication skills.

• SCQF Level 7 in a teaching discipline, or equivalent (essential)
• An SVQ Professional Cookery Assessor qualification, or equivalent relevant assessor qualification (desirable)
• Previous experience working in a teaching, training or vocational learning environment.
• Experience of delivering or assessing vocational qualifications.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of cooking and food hygiene.
• The ability and confidence to deliver practical cooking, food hygiene and SVQ-related learning.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage people, resources and learning activities effectively.
• The ability to adapt your teaching style to suit different learning needs and abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good IT skills and the ability to maintain accurate learner and qualification records.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a wider team.
• The flexibility to work occasional pre-arranged evenings and weekends.

Don't have one of the teaching or assessor qualifications yet? We may be able to support you to gain the relevant qualification within 18 months of starting, subject to the requirements of the role.

Why this role matters

Education and vocational training can play an important role in helping people develop the skills, confidence and qualifications they need for their future.

As an Instructor at HMP Addiewell, you'll have the opportunity to create a positive learning environment, encourage learners who may have had challenging experiences with education, and help them work towards recognised qualifications and practical skills that can support their resettlement and future employment.

If you're an experienced cook, trainer or vocational educator who wants to use your skills to have a positive impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater

You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way.

In addition, we offer 20+ Sodexo benefits such as Sodexo retirement plan, discounts to over 1,900 brands to shop online, Gym discount to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme providing independent support to overcome whenever life has its obstacles including emotional support, legal and financial advice.

For further details regarding our Sodexo benefits please see attached.

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!

About The Company

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.

File Downloads

• UK Rewards and Benefits Guide.pdf
• SVQ Cooking and nutrition instructor job description.pdf