Chef

Serco; Greater London; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Free on site car parking

Up to 6% contributory pension

Internal courses and apprenticeships

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts across retailers

Volunteer day

Hybrid working where possible

Job summary

Serco in London is seeking a Chef for HMP Thameside to prepare nutritious meals, meet dietary requirements, and support a busy custodial catering operation. You will help uphold food safety, supervise catering staff, and ensure smooth day-to-day service within a secure environment.

Applicants should have experience in large-scale catering, relevant food safety qualifications, and strong teamwork. The role offers a strong benefits package and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a large-scale catering environment such as healthcare, custodial, military, education, or similar settings.
• Food Safety Level 2 or Level 3 qualification, or willingness to obtain where required.
• Good understanding of food hygiene, allergen management, and HACCP principles.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to support and guide others.
• Able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards of quality and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook varied, nutritious meals, including special dietary, cultural, and religious requirements.
• Support the delivery of catering services in line with Serco standards and all relevant food safety regulations.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene, storage, and stock control procedures, ensuring accurate records are completed.
• Provide guidance and supervision to catering assistants and prisoners working within the catering department.
• Carry out equipment checks, report faults, and help ensure all catering facilities remain safe and operational.
• Support the Head Chef and Catering Manager and deputise when required to ensure continuity of service.

Job description

Serco: HMP Thameside, SE28 0FJ

Permanent, Full Time (Shift Pattern: 3 days on, 2 off and working every second weekend)

£31,027 per annum + Corporate Benefits Package

Ready to impact a better future?

As a Chef in our Justice and Immigration team at HMP Thameside, you'll help deliver safe, nutritious, and high-quality meals while supporting the day-to-day operation of a busy custodial catering environment. Your work will contribute to the wellbeing of those in our care and help maintain a safe, secure, and efficient service.

Every day, our work touches lives. Through the preparation and delivery of meals, you\'ll help create a positive impact on individuals, colleagues, and the wider community. This is a role with purpose, where you\'ll be trusted to uphold high food safety standards, support rehabilitation through training opportunities, and help impact a better future.

What You\'ll Do As a Chef

• Prepare and cook varied, nutritious meals, including special dietary, cultural, and religious requirements.


• Support the delivery of catering services in line with Serco standards and all relevant food safety regulations.


• Maintain food safety, hygiene, storage, and stock control procedures, ensuring accurate records are completed.


• Provide guidance and supervision to catering assistants and prisoners working within the catering department.


• Carry out equipment checks, report faults, and help ensure all catering facilities remain safe and operational.


• Support the Head Chef and Catering Manager and deputise when required to ensure continuity of service.

Does this sound like you?

• Previous experience working in a large-scale catering environment such as healthcare, custodial, military, education, or similar settings.


• Food Safety Level 2 or Level 3 qualification, or willingness to obtain where required.


• Good understanding of food hygiene, allergen management, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles.


• Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to support and guide others.


• Able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards of quality and compliance.

What We Offer

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year)


• Free on site car parking


• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme


• Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (we currently offer over 60 different apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.


• Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service


• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel


• Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity


• Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including veterans, LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Vetting and checks

An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. This includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and any relevant information held by local police, in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and safeguarding requirements. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire to allow us to provide any support needed for you to succeed in the role.

A Little Bit About Us

At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we\'re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our Inclusive Recruitment Commitment

We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, a top Great British Employer of Veterans, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.


• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).

justicejobs