Prison Catering: Caterer/Kitchen Supervisor- Hospitality and Catering - HMP The Mount (Ref: 4387)
HM Prison and Probation Service
£38.4k per year
Bovingdon, HP3 0NZ
Part time
The Breakroom Take
- Pays all ages fairly
- Good shift notice
About HM Prison and Probation Service
HM Prison and Probation Service run prisons and probation services across England and Wales.
Job description from HM Prison and Probation Service
Job Summary
Please refer to Job Description
Job Description
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. Plus, you’ll 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 and shift patterns are in place which include hours outside of 7am to 7pm 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 the business need/operational requirement. 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 4 salary minimum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance - £38,394
Band 4 salary maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance - £38,394
Qualifications And Experience
- Level 2 certificate in food production within hospitality and catering or equivalent
- Food hygiene certificate at Level 2
- Food hygiene certificate Level 3 (intermediate level)
- Working towards a relevant vocational qualification at Level 3 or already hold formal qualifications in catering e.g. City and Guilds 7061/7062 or NVQ Level 3
- 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 demonstrate team leadership experience
- Able to speak with confidence in English
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.
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. Plus, you’ll 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 and shift patterns are in place which include hours outside of 7am to 7pm 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 the business need/operational requirement. 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 4 salary minimum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance - £38,394
Band 4 salary maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance - £38,394
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 demonstrate team leadership experience
- Able to speak with confidence in English
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.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential qualifications:
- Level 2 certificate in Food Production within Hospitality and Catering or equivalent
- Food Hygiene Certificate Level 3 (intermediate level)
- Working towards a relevant vocational qualification at Level 3 or already hold formal qualifications in catering e.g. City and Guilds 7061/7062 or NVQ Level 3
- familiar with all current health, safety and hygiene related regulations for working in a kitchen environment; and
- able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
- Developing Self and Others
- Leadership
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Work Experience 1
- Work Experience 2
- Work Experience 3
- Access to learning and development
- A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- Annual Leave
- Public Holidays
- Season Ticket Advance
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
- Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
- Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
- Telephone : 0345 241 5358
- Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. I you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints
https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/4387?entityId=4387
Job insights from Breakroom
Kitchen and catering assistant
Kitchen porters or kitchen assistants prepare food, make sure chefs have everything they need
What you’ll do as a kitchen and catering assistant:
- Plan meals
- Prepare and cook food
- Purchase food and look after a budget
- Be responsible for the hygiene and safety of food served
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Standing
- Physical activities
- Wearing a uniform
- Cleaning
- Anti-social hours
What employees say
Pay
-
Good
-
Most people are paid a living wage
Do HM Prison and Probation Service pay a living wage?
Most people are paid a living wage.
How we know this
90% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 94 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Okay
-
Only some people are paid market rates
Do HM Prison and Probation Service pay market rates?
Only some people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
35% of people are paid below average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 77 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Good
-
Everyone is paid the same, whatever their age
Do HM Prison and Probation Service pay the same regardless of age?
Yes, people under the age of 21 get paid the same as those above 21.
See what HM Prison and Probation Service pays different age groupsHow we know this
The average pay of under 21s is the same as those above 21.Based on data from 125 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Needs improving
-
Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do workers at HM Prison and Probation Service get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
91% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 108 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Good
-
Most people get sick pay
Do HM Prison and Probation Service pay sick pay?
Yes. Most people get proper sick pay.
How we know this
83% of people say they would get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 99 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Okay
-
Some people do unpaid extra work
Do workers at HM Prison and Probation Service do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
38% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 80 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
-
Good
-
4+ weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do people get of their shift pattern at HM Prison and Probation Service?
Most people get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 14% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 8% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 8% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 71% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 106 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Good
-
Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do workers at HM Prison and Probation Service worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
88% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 33 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Needs improving
-
Most people don’t get any choice of shifts
Do HM Prison and Probation Service workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
90% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 83 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Needs improving
-
Hard to change shifts
How easy is it for HM Prison and Probation Service workers to change shifts?
Most people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
69% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 70 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Okay
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Can be hard to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at HM Prison and Probation Service?
Some people find it hard to book holiday.
How we know this
40% of people report it’s hard to book holidays.Based on data from 103 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Good
-
Shifts don’t get changed at short notice
Do HM Prison and Probation Service managers change shifts at short notice?
Most managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
80% of people say their manager doesn’t changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 81 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
-
Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at HM Prison and Probation Service?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
35% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 97 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Okay
-
Only some students say it’s good
Is a HM Prison and Probation Service job good for students?
Only some students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying.
How we know this
48% of students report this isn’t a good place to work if you’re studying.Based on data from 29 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and February 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should allow you to fit work around important things in your life, like studying.
Life isn’t just about work. Good jobs make space for you to do well in both.
Needs improving
-
Most parents say it’s bad
Is working at HM Prison and Probation Service good if you’re a parent or carer?
Most parents and carer say this is a bad place to work.
How we know this
67% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
Workplace
-
Needs improving
-
Workplace isn’t safe
Do people think HM Prison and Probation Service is a safe place to work?
Most people think their workplace is unsafe.
How we know this
73% of people report that their workplace isn’t safe.Based on data from 98 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
No-one should be worried about their safety at work.
Okay
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Only some people feel treated with respect
Do people at HM Prison and Probation Service feel treated with respect by their managers?
Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
46% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 98 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Okay
-
Only some people get proper breaks
Do people at HM Prison and Probation Service get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
38% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 107 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
-
Most people are stressed
Is it stressful to work at HM Prison and Probation Service?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
82% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 104 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Okay
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Only some people enjoy their job
Do people at HM Prison and Probation Service enjoy their jobs?
Only some people enjoy their job.
How we know this
34% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.Based on data from 95 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do people at HM Prison and Probation Service recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
56% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 111 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at HM Prison and Probation Service?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
51% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 105 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Okay
-
Only some people get support to progress
Are people given support to progress at HM Prison and Probation Service?
Only some people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 65% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 96 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
-
Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do people think HM Prison and Probation Service head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
93% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 105 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Okay
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Only some people feel well informed by head office
Do workers feel well informed about how HM Prison and Probation Service is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
58% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 104 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What HM Prison and Probation Service employees say about their job
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Best thing
Working 4 Shifts a week
Worst thing
Violence, drugs, self harm, national offices not knowing what they are doing as they have never been on the ground floor
Custodial manager at HM Prison and Probation Service, February 2025
-
Best thing
My boss
Worst thing
The people I work with
Escort at HM Prison and Probation Service, January 2025
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