HM Prison and Probation Service
Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Ford (Ref: 18712)
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Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Ford (Ref: 18712)
Catering Team Member – Professional Cook (Industrial) – HM Prison Ford, Arundel
Location: HM Prison Ford, Arundel, BN18 0BX
About the Role
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference beyond the kitchen. In this role, you’ll apply your catering qualifications and skills in an industrial kitchen environment, supporting offenders in gaining essential skills while ensuring the prison receives high-quality, nutritious meals.
As a member of the prison’s catering team, you’ll oversee offenders in meal preparation, contribute to rehabilitation efforts, and help them secure qualifications for post-prison employment.
You’ll enjoy attractive benefits, including:
- A competitive salary with pension contributions
- Civil Service benefits, including apprenticeship opportunities
- Unsocial hours paid bonus (20%) for shifts outside standard office hours
Hours and Compensation
- 37-hour work week (rotating shifts outside Monday–Friday 7am–7pm)
- Inclusions: Weekends, public holidays, unsocial hours
- 20% unsocial hours payment applied to basic salary.
Starting Remuneration (Band 3, full-time)
- Minimum: £34,928 (inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance)
- Maximum: £36,778 (inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance) (Part-time and job share arrangements available upon operational need.)
Responsibilities
- Preparing and cooking high-quality meals in an industrial kitchen
- Supervising offenders to ensure safety, efficiency, and hygiene compliance
- Collaborating with the prison’s rehabilitation programme to assist offenders in gaining vocational qualifications and work-readiness skills
- Ensuring regulatory compliance with current health, safety, and hygiene standards
- Maintaining meticulous service standards to deliver nutritious, well-balanced meals to all inmates
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Requirements
Qualifications
Must hold either:
- A Level 2 Certificate in Food Production (Hospitality & Catering) or equivalent
- Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2)
Plus, demonstrate:
- Apprentice or higher-level qualification (Level 3) or commitment to working towards such (subject to colonisation)
- Applicants must complete a refresher training (HACCP) every three years
Commercial Expertise & Skills
- Hands-on experience in an industrial kitchen environment
- Proficiency with health/safety regulations in food production
- Clear communication skills (spoken English only)
General Competencies
Attention will be given to your ability to demonstrate these behaviours during assessment: ✔ Developing Self and Others ✔ Managing a Quality Service ✔ Communicating and Influencing ✔ Making Effective Decisions ✔ Working Together
Additional Notes
Application Tips
- Submit an anonymised CV supported by reflections on past experience.
- Prepare answers to behavioural questions, focusing on how you might handle challenging circumstances in this environment.
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national & security requirements
✅ Criminal background check is mandatory ✅ Lie-detection security checks required for all candidates
Additional Benefits
🏛️ Civil Service pension contributions (£10,118/year employer contribution + 28.97% salary matching) ✈️ Season Ticket Loan Scheme (STAL) and public transport options 📆 Flexible working opportunities & well-being support
Further Information & Support
- Disability Inclusion: HM Prison & Probation Service is a Disability Confident Employer
- Veteran Employment Demand: Part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative
- Recruitment Process: Uses Success Profiles appraisals of behaviours, experience, and technical skills (Feedback is only provided upon reaching formal Interview/ Assessment phases)
For further details, visit the* HM Prison & Probation Service Candidate Info Guide***
Applicant Support Contact
Name: SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk Telephone: 0345 241 5358
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