About our Twelve 15 catering service
Twelve15 provides support services to schools and other Surrey County Council buildings. We have two divisions: Catering and Schools Equipment Maintenance Service.
Our Staff
We employ circa 1,300 staff working in approximately 500 locations around the County.
Our workforce is our most important asset. Our entire service is based upon the premise of putting the right people in post and then empowering them to deliver excellent services. We always strive to provide a supportive environment for all our staff, where members of the team are encouraged to give to and receive help from each other in the drive to deliver excellent customer service to the people who use our services. To do this
- generate a clear understanding of exactly what is required of our staff.
- provide our teams with the appropriate skills and resources to do their jobs well.
- listen to their views and suggestions and value their contribution.
- ensure we employ talented staff who share our vision.
Our roles
Twelve15 provide school meals to children and young people across the County. Our local catering teams produce more than 45,000 school meals every day during term time.
We are committed to serving healthy meals cooked from scratch by our professional catering teams using fresh, local and organic produce. We also provide maintenance servicing and repair to equipment in Surrey schools, colleges and police buildings such as:
- Gym and PE equipment
- Outside play equipment
- Design technology equipment
Induction
Our staff are our greatest asset and are the key to the work we do as a service. As such we put a lot of focus on providing a thorough induction which helps new staff feel welcome, valued and settled in their new role.
Twelve15 starters follow an induction pathway which has been tailored to their specific job role. Depending on the pathway, induction will take place within your probation period and will be made up of classroom training, job related workbooks and work shadowing (including coaching and mentoring). A focus on essential training means that staff can get up to speed quickly and confidently perform their duties.
Your training won't stop there, additional training and development including refreshers are undertaken on an ongoing basis.
Learning and development
We recognise the importance of investing in the development of all our employee's, we understand the direct link between giving you the support, tools and training you need to do your job.
Development is a key focus for all of our staff regardless of role. We will provide the support and training you need to achieve your career goals and aspirations. Your goals will identified be throughout the year, specifically at your regular performance conversations.
Meet our Twelve 15 staff
Louise
Like so many of our staff, Louise first came to Commercial Services (now called Twelve15) as a Catering Assistant for a couple of hours a day to fit around a busy home life bringing up her children. After refreshing her practical cooking skills by completing the Cooks Craft courses, she went on to successfully apply for a Mobile Cook position and subsequently the Caterer role at a large Surrey school. This move enabled her to consolidate her learning and although very successful in this position, she decided that she missed the variety that working as a mobile brought and once again, applied for a mobile position, this time as a Caterer.
Following this move, Louise successfully completed the Developing Supervisory Skills and Developing Management Skills training.
The roll out of Universal Infant Free School Meals in 2014 led to the introduction of a new post of District Catering Support Managers to assist District Catering Managers in the running of their districts. Louise put herself forward for the selection process and was once again successful. She still holds the post as District Catering Support Manager but the training has not stopped there, since being appointed Louise has completed the Food Hygiene Level 4 qualification and Institute of Leadership Management.
Brenda
Brenda joined Commercial Services (now called Twelve15) as a Catering Assistant to fit work around bringing up her family. She was initially based at a large primary school near Woking where she received good grounding in the role, working under the guidance of an experienced Caterer. During this time, Brenda completed the Cooks Craft courses and went on to apply to become a Cook.
Brenda has now progressed to a position as Caterer at a Woking School where she provides lunches for 150 children each day supported by three other team members.