Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Leicester (Ref: 7049)
Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Leicester (Ref: 7049)

Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Leicester (Ref: 7049)

Leicester Full-Time 25440 - 27300 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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HM Prison and Probation Service

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our catering team to prepare nutritious meals and support offenders in learning new skills.
  • Company: Work at HM Prison Leicester, making a real difference in people's lives through food.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension, flexible hours, and apprenticeship opportunities while you earn.
  • Why this job: This unique role allows you to impact lives positively while honing your culinary skills.
  • Qualifications: Must have Level 2 food production and hygiene certificates; experience in an industrial kitchen is a plus.
  • Other info: Part-time and job share options available; shifts may include weekends and public holidays.

The predicted salary is between 25440 - 27300 £ per year.

This position is based at HM Prison Leicester, LE2 7AJ

Job Summary

Please refer to job description.

Job Description

This is not your average catering job. It is a great chance to put your catering qualifications and skills into practice and make an impact far beyond the kitchen.

As part of the prison’s catering team, you’ll be working in a professional industrial kitchen environment, with a good salary, pension and Civil Service benefits including apprenticeship opportunities ‘earn while you learn’. Unlike traditional restaurant jobs, you won’t have to work late into the evening.

You’ll oversee the work of offenders to prepare and cook quality, nutritional meals for the entire prison. Plus, you’ll play your part in helping them turn their lives around – supporting them to learn new skills and work towards gaining qualifications to increase their chances of employment and reduce their likelihood of reoffending when they leave prison.

Hours and salary

You will work a 37-hour week and shift patterns are in place which include hours outside of 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, weekends and public holidays. You will receive a 20% unsocial hours payment in addition to your basic pay, subject to working these hours.

All roles can be open to part-time and job share arrangements subject to the business need/operational requirement. However, you will still be required to undertake the full range of shifts. As a new recruit, you will start on the minimum salary.

Band 3 salary minimum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance – £32,448

Band 3 salary maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance – £34,166

Qualifications And Experience

  • Level 2 certificate in food production within hospitality and catering or equivalent
  • Food hygiene certificate at Level 2

In Addition, You Must Be:

  • Familiar with all current health, safety and hygiene related regulations for working in a kitchen
  • Able to demonstrate competency within an industrial kitchen environment
  • Able to speak with confidence in English

Please note refresher training in food safety (HACCP) should be completed at three year intervals.

Tips for applying

You will need to provide an anonymised CV and answer questions which outline you

You will also need to answer specific ‘behavioural’ questions. We will ask you how you would react in your job.

Behaviours:

  • Developing self and others
  • Managing a quality service
  • Communicating and influencing
  • Making effective decisions
  • Working together

This is not your average catering job. It is a great chance to put your catering qualifications and skills into practice and make an impact far beyond the kitchen.

As part of the prison’s catering team, you’ll be working in a professional industrial kitchen environment, with a good salary, pension and Civil Service benefits including apprenticeship opportunities ‘earn while you learn’. Unlike traditional restaurant jobs, you won’t have to work late into the evening.

You’ll oversee the work of offenders to prepare and cook quality, nutritional meals for the entire prison. Plus, you’ll play your part in helping them turn their lives around – supporting them to learn new skills and work towards gaining qualifications to increase their chances of employment and reduce their likelihood of reoffending when they leave prison.

Hours and salary

You will work a 37-hour week and shift patterns are in place which include hours outside of 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, weekends and public holidays. You will receive a 20% unsocial hours payment in addition to your basic pay, subject to working these hours.

All roles can be open to part-time and job share arrangements subject to the business need/operational requirement. However, you will still be required to undertake the full range of shifts. As a new recruit, you will start on the minimum salary.

Band 3 salary minimum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance – £32,448

Band 3 salary maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance – £34,166

Behaviours:

  • Developing self and others
  • Managing a quality service
  • Communicating and influencing
  • Making effective decisions
  • Working together

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential qualifications:

  • Level 2 certificate in Food Production within Hospitality and Catering or equivalent
  • Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2
  • Vocational Qualification at Level 3 or be willing to work towards gaining this qualification within an agreed timescale.

*Please upload all qualifications on one file.*

Behaviours

We\’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Working Together
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Developing Self and Others

Technical skills

We\’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • work experience 1.
  • work experience 2

Alongside your salary of £32,448, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £9,400 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

  • Access to learning and development
  • A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
  • A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
  • A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
  • Annual Leave
  • Public Holidays
  • Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission\’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission\’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact :

  • Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
  • Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
  • Telephone : 0345 241 5358

Recruitment team

  • Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. I you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints

https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/7049?entityId=7049 #J-18808-Ljbffr

Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Leicester (Ref: 7049) employer: HM Prison and Probation Service

At HM Prison Leicester, we offer a unique catering role that goes beyond traditional kitchen work, allowing you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of offenders while honing your culinary skills in a professional environment. With competitive salaries, generous Civil Service benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional growth through apprenticeships, our inclusive work culture prioritises employee development and work-life balance. Join us in creating nutritious meals and supporting rehabilitation efforts, all while enjoying a supportive team atmosphere and flexible working arrangements.
HM Prison and Probation Service

Contact Detail:

HM Prison and Probation Service Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Leicester (Ref: 7049)

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific behaviours that will be assessed during the selection process. Think about examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively, manage a quality service, and work collaboratively.

✨Tip Number 2

Research the unique aspects of working in a prison catering environment. Understanding the challenges and rewards of this role can help you articulate your motivation and suitability during interviews.

✨Tip Number 3

Network with current or former employees in similar roles. They can provide valuable insights into the day-to-day responsibilities and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when discussing your fit for the position.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare for potential situational questions by thinking through how you would handle various scenarios in the kitchen, especially those involving teamwork and mentoring offenders. This will show your readiness to take on the responsibilities of the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Leicester (Ref: 7049)

Level 2 Certificate in Food Production within Hospitality and Catering
Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2
Knowledge of health, safety and hygiene regulations
Experience in an industrial kitchen environment
Ability to oversee and manage kitchen staff
Strong communication skills in English
Ability to work flexible hours including weekends and public holidays
Skills in preparing and cooking nutritional meals
Competency in managing a quality service
Experience in training and developing others
Problem-solving skills
Teamwork and collaboration skills
Adaptability to changing work environments
Understanding of HACCP principles

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your catering qualifications and relevant experience. Emphasise any previous roles in industrial kitchens and your familiarity with health and safety regulations.

Answer Behavioural Questions Thoughtfully: Prepare for the behavioural questions by reflecting on past experiences. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, focusing on how you developed others, managed quality service, communicated effectively, made decisions, and worked collaboratively.

Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your Level 2 certificate in food production and food hygiene certificate. If you have any additional qualifications or are willing to pursue further training, mention these as well.

Show Your Passion for Impact: Express your enthusiasm for the role and its unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of offenders. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your commitment to helping others develop new skills.

How to prepare for a job interview at HM Prison and Probation Service

✨Understand the Unique Environment

This isn't your typical catering role. Familiarise yourself with the prison environment and the specific challenges it presents. Be prepared to discuss how you can adapt your catering skills to meet the needs of the prison population.

✨Highlight Relevant Qualifications

Make sure to emphasise your Level 2 certificate in food production and food hygiene certification. Be ready to explain how these qualifications have prepared you for working in an industrial kitchen setting, especially in a unique environment like a prison.

✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions

Expect questions that assess your ability to manage quality service, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and provide clear examples from your past experiences.

✨Show Your Commitment to Development

The role involves helping offenders learn new skills. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their development and what strategies you would use to motivate and support them in the kitchen.

Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Leicester (Ref: 7049)
HM Prison and Probation Service
Location: Leicester
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