Prison Catering: Caterer​/Kitchen Supervisor Catering - HMP Stafford

Overview

This is a leading catering role within a prison’s catering team. You will work in a professional industrial kitchen environment, applying catering qualifications to prepare and cook quality, nutritious meals for the entire prison, while supporting offenders to learn new skills and gain qualifications to improve employment prospects and reduce reoffending after release. The role offers a competitive package with Civil Service benefits, and a focus on meaningful work beyond standard kitchen duties.

• Oversee the work of offenders in preparing and cooking meals that meet quality and nutritional standards for the prison community.
• Contribute to offender development by helping them gain skills and qualifications to improve employment outcomes.
• Operate within the 37-hour week with shift patterns that may include hours outside 7am–7pm, weekends and public holidays; a 20% unsocial hours allowance is payable for working these hours.
• Be flexible to part-time or job-share arrangements while undertaking the full range of shifts as required.

• Band 4 salary range: minimum and maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance, with starting salary at the minimum as a new recruit.
• Conditional on working unsocial hours and delivering the required standards;
  Civil Service benefits apply, including pension and apprenticeship opportunities (earn while you learn).
• Hybrid working arrangements may be available where business needs allow; initial appointment to a MoJ office location will be discussed and agreed during pre-employment checks.

• Level 2 certificate in food production within hospitality and catering or equivalent.
• Food hygiene certificate at Level 2; refresher training in food safety (HACCP) should be completed at three-year intervals.
• Working towards a Level 3 vocational qualification or hold formal Level 3 catering qualifications (e.g., City and Guilds 7061/7062 or NVQ Level
  3).
• Familiar with current health, safety, and hygiene regulations for kitchen work; able to demonstrate competency within an industrial kitchen environment.
• Ability to demonstrate team leadership and to communicate confidently in English.

Additional information: applicants should be able to speak English with confidence; in Wales, Welsh language ability may be required in some roles.

• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Leadership

Experience & Assessment

Experience will be assessed through CV or work history, and evidence of experience including technical questions and application form responses. Essential qualifications include the Level 2 Food Production certificate, Level 3 HACCP familiarity, and Level 3 catering qualifications where applicable.

• DBS Standard level security checks.
• All staff undergo security and identity checks prior to taking up post; external candidates are subject to a six-month probation; internal candidates may be on probation depending on previous service.

Other notes: the role is open to flexible working patterns, with applications considered in line with the department’s Flexible Working policy. A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months for similar roles.