202608: Prison Officer - HMP Highpoint

The Methodist Church in Britain; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service pension

Cycle to work scheme

Travel loans

Job summary

HMP Highpoint, a Ministry of Justice prison, is seeking a prison officer to help keep the facility safe and support positive change in prisoners’ lives through counselling and teaching.

The role requires flexibility for evening, night, weekend and public holiday shifts. You will build professional relationships with prisoners, uphold standards, face challenging situations with integrity, and work as part of a team to protect the public.

Qualifications

• Enhanced DBS check is required.
• Right to work in the UK and Civil Service nationality requirements.
• Aged 18 or over at start of employment.
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment.
• UK resident for the last 3 years to work in a category A prison.
• Tattoos not offensive or intimidating; facial tattoos generally not acceptable.
• Eyesight and hearing standards met (corrective devices allowed).

Responsibilities

• Keep the prison and everyone who works there safe as one team.
• Keep order and act as a peacekeeper.
• Build constructive, professional relationships with prisoners.
• Counsel and teach prisoners as required.
• Work directly with prisoners to protect the public and aid positive change.
• Cover various shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays.

Skills

Communication

Influencing skills

Quality commitment

Decision making

Care and understanding

English clarity

Numerical skills

Job description

Prison officer post at HMP Highpoint, a Ministry of Justice prison, filled from a merit list. The role mixes peacekeeping with counselling and teaching, working directly with prisoners to protect the public and support positive change in their lives. Prisons run around the clock, so the job means evening, night, weekend and public holiday cover on a rotating shift pattern. Fit is judged on personal qualities rather than qualifications, with a medical and fitness assessment, and visa sponsorship is unlikely.

What the job involves

• Keep the prison and everyone who works there safe, acting as one team
• Keep order and act as a peacekeeper
• Build constructive, professional relationships with prisoners
• Counsel and teach prisoners as the day requires
• Work directly with prisoners to protect the public and support positive change
• Work various shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays

What’s required

Skills & knowledge

• Communication and influencing skills
• Commitment to quality
• Effective decision-making
• Care and understanding
• Confident spoken English
• Basic judgement and numerical skills

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS check
• Right to work in the UK and Civil Service nationality requirements
• Aged 18 or over at start of employment
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment
• UK resident for the last 3 years to work in a category A prison
• Tattoos not offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating; facial tattoos generally not acceptable

Other

• Eyesight meeting the standard in both eyes, with or without corrective lenses
• Hearing meeting the standard without hearing aids

Nice to have

• Driving licence and own transport, beneficial given some rural sites with limited public transport

What’s offered

• 25 days' annual holiday, rising to 30 after 10 years' service
• Paid time off for public holidays and 1 extra privilege day
• Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%
• Cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits
• Opportunity to work additional paid hours