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- Tasks: Lead a team to prepare nutritious meals and support offenders in gaining new skills.
- Company: Join a unique catering team within HMP Leyhill, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension, and earn while you learn with apprenticeship opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours available, with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Transform lives through cooking while enjoying a balanced work-life schedule.
- Qualifications: Level 2 food production certificate and experience in an industrial kitchen required.
The predicted salary is between 39930 - 39930 £ per year.
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 4 salary minimum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance: £39,930. Band 4 salary 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
- Able to demonstrate team leadership experience
- 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 your past experience. 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
- Leadership
17464 - Prison Catering: Caterer/Kitchen Supervisor Catering - HMP Leyhill in Peacehaven employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 17464 - Prison Catering: Caterer/Kitchen Supervisor Catering - HMP Leyhill in Peacehaven
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the prison catering environment! Research what it’s like to work in a kitchen that serves a unique community. Understanding the challenges and rewards will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your responses to those behavioural questions. Think about times you've led a team or made tough decisions in the kitchen. We want to hear your stories, so make them engaging and relevant!
✨Tip Number 3
Network with others in the catering field. Join forums or social media groups where you can connect with professionals who might have insights into the role. You never know who might have a tip or lead for you!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team!
We think you need these skills to ace 17464 - Prison Catering: Caterer/Kitchen Supervisor Catering - HMP Leyhill in Peacehaven
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft Your CV with Care: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your catering qualifications and experience. We want to see how your skills fit into our unique environment, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Answer Behavioural Questions Thoughtfully: When it comes to those behavioural questions, think about real-life examples that demonstrate your leadership and teamwork skills. We’re looking for how you’ve handled situations in the past, so be specific and honest!
Show Your Passion for Making a Difference: This role isn’t just about cooking; it’s about making an impact. Let us know why you’re passionate about helping others and how you can contribute to turning lives around through your work in the kitchen.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to make your application shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your catering qualifications and experience. Be ready to discuss your Level 2 certificate in food production and any relevant food hygiene certifications. This role is all about practical skills, so be prepared to showcase how your background aligns with the job.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Caterer/Kitchen Supervisor, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead a team. Think of examples from your past where you've successfully managed a team or helped others develop their skills. Highlighting these experiences will show that you're ready to take on this responsibility.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations in the kitchen or with the team. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you provide clear and concise responses that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities.
✨Understand the Impact of Your Role
This isn't just about cooking; it's about making a difference in people's lives. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the rehabilitation of offenders through your work. Showing that you understand the broader impact of the role will set you apart from other candidates.