At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and cook nutritious meals while mentoring offenders to gain new skills.
- Company: Join a unique catering team in a professional kitchen environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension, and earn while you learn opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible part-time hours with potential for job share arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by helping others turn their lives around through cooking.
- Qualifications: Level 2 food production certificate and food hygiene certification required.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 29000 £ 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. You’ll also play your part in helping them turn their lives around by supporting them to learn new skills and work towards gaining qualifications that increase their chances of employment and reduce their likelihood of reoffending when they leave prison.
Hours and salary
The following salary details are for a full‑time 37‑hour week. Please note that this is a part‑time role of 19 hours per week so the salary will be pro rata. 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 – £33,746 Band 3 salary maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance – £35,533
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 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
12292 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Buckley Hall - Part time in Rochdale employer: Ministry of Justice
At HMP Buckley Hall, we offer a unique catering role that goes beyond traditional kitchen duties, allowing you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of offenders while honing your culinary skills in a professional environment. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee growth through apprenticeship opportunities and flexible working arrangements, ensuring a rewarding experience that balances personal development with a commitment to social rehabilitation. With competitive salaries, Civil Service benefits, and a focus on work-life balance, we are dedicated to creating an excellent workplace for our team members.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 12292 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Buckley Hall - Part time in Rochdale
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the prison catering environment! Research what it’s like to work in a professional kitchen within a prison setting. This will help you understand the unique challenges and rewards, making you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your responses to those behavioural questions! Think about past experiences where you’ve developed others or managed a quality service. We want you to show how you can make effective decisions and work together with the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of networking! Connect with current or former prison catering staff on LinkedIn. They can provide insights and tips that could give you an edge in your application process.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we often have exclusive opportunities listed there that you won’t find anywhere else.
We think you need these skills to ace 12292 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Buckley Hall - Part time in Rochdale
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft Your CV Wisely:Make sure your CV highlights your catering qualifications and any relevant experience. Tailor it to show how your skills can make a difference in our unique kitchen environment.
Nail the Behavioural Questions:When answering those behavioural questions, think about real-life examples that showcase your ability to manage a quality service and work together with others. We want to see how you handle situations!
Show Off Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for catering and helping others shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who’s not just about cooking but also about making a positive impact on the lives of offenders.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we get all your details right and can consider you for this exciting role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your catering qualifications and any relevant experience. Be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to the unique environment of a prison kitchen, especially in terms of health, safety, and hygiene regulations.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
This role involves working closely with offenders, so it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and influence others positively. Think of examples from your past where you've helped someone learn or overcome challenges.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that assess your behaviours, like how you manage quality service or work as part of a team. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and provide clear, concise examples.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since the role requires working outside typical hours, be prepared to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt to different shift patterns. Highlight any previous experience you have with flexible working arrangements.
