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- Tasks: Lead a catering team to prepare nutritious meals and support offenders in skill development.
- Company: Join a unique prison catering team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension, and earn while you learn opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact beyond the kitchen while helping others turn their lives around.
- Qualifications: Level 2 food production certificate and food hygiene certification required.
- Other info: Flexible hours with part-time options and excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 26796 - 29544 £ 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 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
15712 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Stoke Heath in Stoke upon Tern employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 15712 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Stoke Heath in Stoke upon Tern
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role inside out! Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements of the caterer position at HMP Stoke Heath. This way, when you get the chance to chat with the hiring team, you can show off your knowledge and passion for making a difference in the lives of offenders.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice those behavioural questions! Think about how you've developed yourself and others in past roles, managed quality service, and communicated effectively. We recommend jotting down examples that highlight your skills, so you're ready to impress during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees of HMP Stoke Heath on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and maybe even put in a good word for you. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a real impact in the catering world, especially in such a unique environment.
We think you need these skills to ace 15712 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Stoke Heath in Stoke upon Tern
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 develop others, manage quality service, and communicate effectively. We want to see how you handle situations!
Show 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 fantastic opportunity.
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 food hygiene regulations. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role, especially in an industrial kitchen setting.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since you'll be overseeing offenders, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and manage a diverse team. Think of examples where you've successfully influenced or supported others in a work environment.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, focusing on your past experiences that relate to developing others and managing quality service.
✨Be Ready for Shift Patterns
Understand the shift patterns and be prepared to discuss your flexibility regarding working hours, including weekends and public holidays. Showing that you're adaptable will make a great impression!