202509: Prison Officer - HMP Wormwood Scrubs

HM Prison and Probation Service; London Borough of Ealing; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking individuals for the role of Prison Officer. Successful candidates will engage with prisoners in various capacities, demonstrating empathy and strong communication skills. This position includes completing required assessments and flexibility in working hours. Shift patterns may vary including evenings and weekends, offering salaries based on hours worked. Benefits include holiday allowances and a Civil Service pension.

Benefits

25 days' holiday

Civil Service pension

Cycle-to-work scheme

Responsibilities

• Carry out a variety of roles including peacekeeping, counselling, and teaching directly with prisoners.
• Participate in online tests to assess abilities and suitability for the role.
• Complete a medical and fitness assessment if a vacancy is identified.

Skills

Communication and influencing skills

Commitment to quality

Effective decision-making

Care and understanding

Job description

Overview

This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas in accordance with current immigration rules. From 22 July 2025, changes to the Skilled Worker visa route require sponsorship consideration to be assessed under transitional provisions if a Skilled Worker visa was held prior to those changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.

The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules. You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria here.

Role and Environment

There isn’t a single typical prison officer. Our officers come from diverse backgrounds and work with prisoners who may be at difficult points in their lives. The role requires empathy, strong communication, resilience and the ability to build constructive, professional relationships with prisoners. Teamwork is essential to support colleagues and maintain safety.

You will be required to work various shifts and some weekends.

Responsibilities and Opportunities

• Carry out a variety of roles in a single day, including peacekeeping, counselling or teaching, while working directly with prisoners in a unique environment to protect the public and make a positive impact.
• Participate in the online tests (Stage 1: basic judgement and numerical skills; Stage 2: task-based assessment) and an online assessment centre (OAC) to assess abilities and suitability.
• Based on performance, you may be offered an alternative role as an Operational Support Grade (OSG).
• Complete a medical and fitness assessment if a vacancy is identified; assessments are UK-based.
• Engage in the official application process and read more about the process, merit vacancy status, and progression through the merit list.
• For redeployment considerations, opportunities may be provided before redundancy and interviews may be offered to eligible candidates who meet criteria.

Eligibility, Tests and Assessment

• Online tests: initial screening and subsequent task-based assessments to gauge judgement, numerical and behavioral attributes.
• Online assessment centre evaluates abilities, behaviours and strengths relevant to the prison officer role.
• Operational and equitable recruitment processes, with merit-based progression.

Fitness, Travel and Requirements

• Medical and fitness tests cover eyesight, hearing, general health, and blood pressure; UK-based assessments are required.
• Travel: some locations are rural with limited transport; a driving license and own transport are beneficial but not always essential.
• Criminal record checks and baseline personnel security checks are required for candidates working with government assets.
• Nationality and right-to-work requirements apply; specific rules may vary by country and region.

Essential Skills and Strengths

• Communication and influencing skills
• Commitment to quality
• Effective decision-making
• Care and understanding

Pay and Benefits

• Initial training is 37 hours per week; after training, options include 37, 39 or 41 hours per week with corresponding salary bands.
• Salary figures include relevant allowances; example bands: 37 hours £39,493; 39 hours £41,984; 41 hours £44,474.
• Prisons operate 24/7; shift patterns may include evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays; some shifts may be paid as additional hours.
• Benefits include 25 days’ holiday (rising to 30 after 10 years), public holiday and extra privilege day, Civil Service pension with employer contributions, cycle-to-work and other benefits.

Assessment Process and Candidate Information

• During recruitment, you will be assessed on behaviours, strengths and abilities to become an effective prison officer.
• There is a defined merit vacancy process; top-scoring candidates are offered jobs as positions become available, with a 12-month merit list validity.
• If unsuccessful at the sift/assessment stage, a six-month waiting period may apply before applying again.

Additional Information

• Applying for reasonable adjustment support is supported; contact arrangements should be made well in advance of assessments.
• Disability considerations treated with priority as a Disability Confident employer; essential language proficiency requirements apply (English or Welsh as specified).
• Details about veteran opportunities, redeployment schemes and nationality requirements are available.
• For more details about the process, benefits and allowances visit the Candidate Information Page.

Note: This description consolidates various sections of the original posting and preserves the content in its original language without translation.