Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Full in Stamford Bridge

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.

Key Responsibilities

• You will work a 37‑hour week, and shift patterns are in place to cover hours outside of 7 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday, weekends and public holidays.
• All roles can be open to part‑time and job‑share arrangements subject to business need, but you will still be required to undertake the full range of shifts.
• As a new recruit, you will start on the minimum salary.
• You will need to provide an anonymised CV and answer questions which outline your past experience.
• You will also need to answer specific behavioural questions about how you would react in your job.

Behaviours

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

If your application is successful, you will need to undergo and clear pre‑employment checks. This will include His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service Enhanced Level 2 vetting and, due to the security status of the establishment, Counter‑Terrorism Check (CTC vetting) is also required. Proof that you have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years is needed to complete the CTC vetting process. The residency requirements refer to the period immediately before an application is made, and not any other three‑year period, or any other accumulation of time spent in the UK. If you have been out of the country for a significant period of time (usually up to one year) and maintained your UK residency you may still be considered for vetting clearance.

Additional information:

• Successful applicants need to be 18 at the point they take up the post as an exception under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non‑contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Working arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate and are subject to regular review.

Benefits

• Annual leave – the holiday year runs from 1 March. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro‑rated basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment.
• Bank, public and privilege holidays – you are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to shift pattern and operational needs.
• Pension – the Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
• Work‑life balance – HMPPS encourages alternative working arrangements and offers flexible working subject to a satisfactory probationary period.
• Training and development – HMPPS provides a range of training opportunities, including Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti‑Bullying programmes.

Qualifications and Experience

• Level 2 certificate in food production within hospitality and catering or equivalent
• Food hygiene certificate at Level 2
• 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
• Candidate must be 18 at the point they take up post

Band 3 salary minimum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance – £34,928. Band 3 salary maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance – £36,778. The Ministry of Justice is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to providing equal pay and opportunities to all individuals, regardless of age, gender, race, disability, or other protected characteristic. The MoJ is a Disability Confident employer and offers adjustments to the recruitment process for disabled candidates.