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Serco Limited; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

On-site gym

Internal training

Career progression

Employee assistance

Retail discounts

Job summary

Serco Limited is hiring a Chef for the HMP and YOI Doncaster Catering team. This permanent, full-time role (40 hrs p/w) involves preparing nutritious meals, supervising kitchen staff and prisoners, and delivering high standards of food safety and service in a custodial environment.

You will work with the Catering Manager to meet operational requirements, maintain HACCP records, and support ongoing catering delivery across the establishment.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a large-scale catering operation, ideally with at least three years in a similar role.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, health and safety, and catering best practice.
• Good supervisory, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to maintain standards in a busy environment.
• Commitment to rehabilitation, inclusion, and a positive impact through your work.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, supervise, and deliver varied, healthy meals, including special diets and meals for religious and special events.
• Work with the Catering Manager and team to deliver services in line with safety and operational requirements.
• Support and supervise kitchen workers and prisoners involved in food production and service activities.
• Ensure secure handling and storage of foodstuffs per standards.
• Complete records in line with HACCP and health and safety requirements.
• Deputise for the Head Chef when required and support catering delivery across the establishment.

Skills

Food safety

Supervisory

Communication

Teamwork

Job description

Chef

Company: Serco Limited

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 21 Aug 2026

Closing date: 19 Sept 2026

Location: Doncaster, DN5 8UX

Permanent, Full Time (40 hrs p/w – rolling shift pattern: days only, includes weekends)

£27,359 per annum + excellent benefits

Ready to impact a better future?

As a Chef in our HMP and YOI Doncaster Catering team, you’ll help deliver safe, nutritious, and varied meals that support the wellbeing of prisoners and the smooth operation of the establishment. Your work will have a direct impact on daily life, ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, and service.

Every day, our work touches lives. By providing high-quality catering services in a custodial environment, you’ll contribute to creating a safe, respectful, and supportive setting that helps deliver positive outcomes for individuals and communities. This is a role with purpose, where your expertise, care, and commitment can help impact a better future.

What you’ll do as a Chef

• Prepare, supervise, and deliver varied, healthy meals, including special diets and meals for religious and special events.
• Work closely with the Catering Manager and wider catering team to deliver catering services in line with all food safety, health and safety, and operational requirements.
• Support and supervise kitchen workers and prisoners involved in food production and food service activities.
• Ensure the security, storage, handling, and distribution of foodstuffs are maintained to the required standards.
• Complete required records and documentation in line with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), food hygiene, health and safety, and company procedures.
• Deputise for the Head Chef or Team Leader when required and support the ongoing delivery of catering services across the establishment.

Does this sound like you?

• Experience working within a large-scale catering operation, ideally with at least three years’ experience in a similar role.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, health and safety, and catering best practice.
• Good supervisory, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to maintain standards in a busy environment.
• A commitment to rehabilitation, inclusion, and creating a positive impact through your work.

What we offer

• Competitive annual leave entitlement
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Free use of on site gym
• 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.

Let’s impact a better future, together.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.