11638 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Wetherby

Ministry of Justice; Leeds; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in England seeks a qualified Catering Professional to oversee food preparation within a prison. You will lead meal preparation and cooking in an industrial kitchen, working closely with offenders to help them learn valuable skills for their future. This role offers a structured shift pattern with competitive pay and various benefits, including the potential for part-time arrangements. Suitable candidates will possess catering qualifications and knowledge of health and safety standards.

Benefits

Pension benefits

Civil Service benefits

Apprenticeship opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrated competency within an industrial kitchen environment.
• Familiar with health, safety, and hygiene regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the work of offenders in food preparation.
• Prepare and cook nutritional meals.
• Support offenders in learning new skills.

Skills

Competency in food production

Communication in English

Health and safety regulation knowledge

Education

Level 2 certificate in food production

Food hygiene certificate at Level 2

Job description

Overview

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 – 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. Shift patterns are in place which include hours outside 7 am to 7 pm 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 business needs/operational requirements. 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