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, and support them to learn new skills and work towards gaining qualifications to increase their chances of employment and reduce reoffending when they leave prison.
Hours and salary: You will work a 37 hour week with shift patterns that include hours outside of 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, as well as weekends and public holidays. A 20% unsocial hours payment is provided in addition to basic pay, subject to working these hours. All roles can be open to part‑time or job‑share arrangements, but full shift coverage is required. New recruits start on the minimum salary. Hybrid working arrangements may be offered where business need allows, but this role can only be worked in the UK.
Key Responsibilities
* Prepare and cook quality, nutritional meals in an industrial kitchen environment.
* Supervise and mentor offenders in culinary tasks.
* Ensure food safety, hygiene and health and safety regulations are followed.
* Maintain high standards of cleanliness and order in the kitchen.
* Support offenders to develop culinary skills and progress towards vocational qualifications.
* Maintain accurate records and schedules as required.
Qualifications & Experience
* Level 2 certificate in food production within hospitality and catering or equivalent.
* Food hygiene certificate at Level 2 and Level 3 (intermediate).
* Currently working towards a Level 3 vocational qualification in catering (e.g. City & Guilds 7061/7062 or NVQ Level 3) or holding a formal qualification at this level.
* Familiar with all current health, safety and hygiene regulations for kitchen work.
* Competent in an industrial kitchen environment.
* Experience in team leadership.
* Confident spoken English (Welsh, if applicable).
* Refresher training in Food Safety (HACCP) completed at 3‑year intervals.
Salary & Benefits
* Band 4 salary minimum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance – £41,328.
* Band 4 salary maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance – £41,328.
* Annual leave: holiday year runs from 1 March, pro‑rated for non‑standard patterns; entitlement may be in hours or days.
* Bank, public and privilege holidays – 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes).
* Pension – choice of two Civil Service schemes.
* Season ticket advance after two months’ service.
* Childcare vouchers (subject to Civil Service rules).
* Training and development opportunities (Equality & Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention, Anti‑Bullying programmes).
Working Arrangements
* Full‑time 37‑hour week with shift patterns covering evenings, weekends and public holidays.
* Part‑time, job‑share and flexible arrangements possible where business needs allow.
* Hybrid working may be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate.
* Loan or secondment for current NPS employees up to 2 years.
Eligibility & Recruitment
* All candidates subject to security and identity checks before appointment.
* External candidates subject to 6 months probation; internal candidates subject to probation if not already served within HMPPS.
* Applicants must declare if they are members of any groups or organisations that HMPPS considers to be racist.
* We are a Disability Confident employer; reasonable adjustments are available.
* Equality, diversity and inclusion commitments are part of the Civil Service Code.
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