At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Silver Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.
Job title: Chef
Serco: HMP Dovegate
Permanent / Full Time
£28,620 per annum + Excellent Corporate Benefits Package
Shifts are between the hours of 6:45am
- 17:30pm
We are looking for a Chef to join us at HMP Dovegate for the supervision of prisoners/kitchen workers - a Category B adult male facility near Uttoxeter, Staffordshire where we care for up to 1160 male adult prisoners over the age of 21 serving a range of sentences including trial, remand, those awaiting sentence and convicted men serving long and short term sentences.
This exciting opportunity is well suited to an experienced Chef who is looking for a role with no split shifts and enjoys working as part of a committed team. You will assist the Catering Manager in the delivery of catering services to the establishment and comply with all relevant Health & Safety and Food Safety Regulations, legislation and guidelines. You will prepare varied and healthy menus for residents to include special diets, special events and religious events, whilst also keeping abreast of trends and developments in the catering industry such as menus and consumer tastes.
Other key activities will include:
- Preparing food according to the menu & supervising prisoners, ensuring a safe and secure working environment.
- Ensuring the security and food safety of all foodstuffs, equipment and infrastructure is maintained during delivery, storage and distribution within the kitchen area.
- Recording and documenting all relevant paperwork to comply with food hygiene regulations, Health & Safety, HACCP and company policies.
- Performing random quality checks on service points before, during and after mealtimes.
What you will need to do the role
To carry out this role successfully, you must have good interpersonal & communication skills as well as the ability to think quickly and react to different situations. You will have good, working experience in catering to a large operation or a similar custodial environment and be physically capable of working long shifts. It is desirable that you have:
- NVQ Level 1 & 2 Basic Food knowledge or equivalent.
- Basic Food Hygiene
- Intermediate would be an advantage.
If you enjoy engaging with people and have strong interpersonal skills, this is a fantastic opportunity to work in a people-centred environment, ensuring a positive experience as part of the rehabilitation of prisoners.
Why Serco
Meaningful and vital work
- The nature of our business means you will do interesting work that matters – delivering essential services to keep people safe.
A world of opportunity
- Our diverse UK-wide operations offer unrivalled opportunities to learn and develop. You’ll be able to broaden your experience and apply your skills in new ways.
Great people
- We are a motivated team who will encourage you and help you to succeed. You’ll have the resources you need to do your job in a diverse and supportive environment.
What we offer
- Blue light discounts
- Opportunities to gain additional qualifications
- Continuous professional development opportunities
- Opportunities to participate in an overtime scheme
- A company passionate about diversity and inclusion
- Free on site parking
- Use of on site gym
- Subsidised meals
- Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Serco Benefits package
- discounts include cinema, merlin entertainment and online shopping discounts, discounts on mobile phone plans and leisure centre memberships
- Employee Assistance Programme
- A safe and supportive culture
- The chance to make a positive difference
About SercoAt Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.
By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.
ApplyPlease click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.
At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Silver Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.
At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to
Disability Confident.
