Prison Catering: Caterer/Kitchen Supervisor Catering - HMP Lancaster Farms

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 reoffending.

Hours and salary

You will work a 37 hour week with shift patterns that may include hours outside 7am-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, but you will still be required to undertake the full range of shifts. As a new recruit, you will start on the minimum salary. Band 4 salary: minimum and maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance – £39,930.

Qualifications and experience

• Level 2 certificate in food production within hospitality and catering or equivalent
• Food hygiene certificate at Level 2
• Food hygiene certificate Level 3 (intermediate level)
• Working towards a relevant vocational qualification at Level 3 or already hold formal qualifications in catering e.g. City and Guilds 7061/7062 or NVQ Level 3
• Familiar with all current health, safety and hygiene related regulations for working in a kitchen
• Able to demonstrate competency within an industrial kitchen environment
• Team leadership experience
• Speak with confidence in English
• Refresher training in food safety (HACCP) must be completed at three‑year intervals.
• Applicants must be 18 years or older at the time of appointment.

Working arrangements & further information

The MoJ offers hybrid working arrangements where business need allows. Roles are based in the UK only. Some roles may not be suitable for hybrid working; arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate. Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks (unpaid). Part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing arrangements are considered in accordance with the HMPPS Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

• Pension – Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes.
• Bank, public and privilege holidays – 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) added to annual leave allowance; some public and bank holidays may require work.
• Apprenticeship qualification training available to catering staff.
• Season ticket advance available after two months’ service.
• Training and development opportunities, including Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti‑Bullying programmes.

Equal Opportunity

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. If you feel the recruitment process has breached these principles you may raise a formal complaint.

Disability Confident

We are a disability‑confident employer and provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.