Serco: HMP Dovegate
Permanent, Full Time (40 hrs p/w – working between 7:30 – 18:15 on a 9 week rolling shift pattern)
£31,028 per annum plus excellent benefits
Ready to impact a better future?
As a Chef in our Justice team, you’ll play a key role in delivering high-quality catering services within HMP Dovegate. You’ll help ensure meals are nutritious, compliant with regulations, and prepared to a consistently high standard, supporting the day-to-day wellbeing of residents.
This is more than a kitchen role. Your work will contribute to rehabilitation by creating structure, building skills, and supporting a positive environment. You’ll be part of a team that takes pride in making a real difference – helping to create a safe, respectful space where people can grow and move towards a better future.
What you’ll do as a Chef
You’ll be entrusted to:
- Support the delivery of catering services across the establishment, ensuring compliance with food safety and health and safety regulations
- Prepare and provide varied, balanced menus, including special diets, cultural and religious requirements, and events
- Maintain high standards of food safety, storage and hygiene throughout preparation and service
- Complete all required documentation in line with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and company policies
- Supervise and support kitchen workers, contributing to training and development
- Carry out quality checks before, during and after meal service
- Respond to feedback and complaints, working collaboratively to improve service delivery
- Support operational requirements including resident movement and kitchen procedures
Does this sound like you?
You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have…
- A recognised catering qualification such as City and Guilds or NVQ in food preparation and production
- Food Safety Level 3 and awareness of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and allergen management
- Experience in a large-scale catering environment, ideally within a secure or regulated setting
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively
- Good organisational skills and the ability to manage time effectively in a busy environment
- A resilient and adaptable approach, with a commitment to working in a diverse and people-focused setting
Discover all you need to keep growing
We’re one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you’ll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we’re proud to offer clear development opportunities – and the support and tools to help you seize them.
What we offer
- Free on site care parking
- Free use of on site gym
- Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (including L3 Team Leader and L5 Operations Manager 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 networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds
Vetting and checks
This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.
Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.
A little bit about us:
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.
Our inclusive recruitment commitment:
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.
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Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
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Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).
For support with your application, please contact [email protected].
