Prison Officer

Serco; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Health benefits

Shift meals

Training program

Career progression

Discounts

Job summary

Serco is hiring Prison Custody Officers at HMP Doncaster. Starting salary £28,187 per annum, rising to £29,271 after 12 months and £33,337 after 3 years of service, with potential overtime bringing the monthly total to about £37,800.

Join a full-time, 40-hour week with 4 shifts on average. You'll receive a comprehensive 10-week training course and ongoing support as you progress through our PCO portfolio or apprenticeship.

Qualifications

• Experience in customer service or related roles.
• Proven communication and teamwork abilities.
• Willingness to complete a 10-week training course and ongoing development.

Responsibilities

• Supervise prisoners in prison wing activities.
• Oversee work and education programmes and encourage participation.
• Manage operational matters such as headcounts and security processes.
• Support prisoners at risk of self-harm.

Skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Resilience

Patience

Time management

De-escalation

Job description

HMP Doncaster, DN5 8UX

Up to £33,337 per annum*

Permanent, full-time positions, average 40hrs pw

Work with Purpose: Transfer your Skills to a Career in the Prison Service

What's in it for you?

Your Starting Salary Will Be £28,187 Pa. Increasing To £29,271 After 12 Months And Increasing Again To £33,337 When You Reach 3 Years’ Service. We Are Fully Committed To Progressing You Through Your PCO Portfolio Or PCO Apprenticeship Which Would Increase Your Salary To £33,337 As Soon As Either Of These Is Successfully Completed Which Can Realistically Be Achieved Within 12 To 18 Months Of Joining Us. We Also Offer

• Opportunity to earn approximately £37,800 including overtime (while we cannot guarantee overtime will always be available, this is based on an average of 4 hrs per week) Clear career development pathways for you to transition quickly into operational management positions with salaries ranging from £36,000 to £42,000
• Average 4 shifts per week and flexible shift patterns available
• Free meal while on shift usually provided at lunchtime
• Pension scheme
• Health and wellbeing benefits
• Reward and recognition scheme
• Serco discounts which include cinema, online shopping discounts, leisure centre memberships and you can apply for a Blue Light discount card

Is this the right career for you?

Our Prison Custody Officers join us from a wide range of backgrounds - including customer service, administration, retail and hospitality, warehousing and logistics, the Armed Forces, health and social care, manufacturing, trades, operations and supervision, security, education and more.

Day To Day You’ll Be Involved In

• Supervising prisoners in all aspects of prison wing activity
• Overseeing work and education programmes, encouraging prisoners to participate
• Operational matters such as prisoner headcounts, prison cell searching, security, and administrative processes
• Managing prisoners who are at risk of self-harm

What you’ve done before doesn’t matter as much as how you work. We’re focused on transferable skills and behaviours such as strong communication, teamwork, resilience, patience, time management, and the ability to de-escalate challenging situations. A commitment to customer service and upholding health and safety standards is key - the rest you’ll learn through our comprehensive 10-week training course and the ongoing support of experienced colleagues.

We operate 24/7, all year round meaning you’ll cover shifts on days, evenings, weekends, nights, and bank holidays. We value the importance of work-life balance, we operate on a rota basis that allows you the flexibility to enjoy meaningful time off.

Preparing For Your Recruitment Journey

We will invite you to attend an competency-based interview, plus a short Maths and English assessment at the prison, where you will also get the chance to also meet our team. Once you’ve passed assessment, and we have gathered your security and vetting documentation, we’ll invite you to attend a 10-week Initial Training Course (ITC) at the Prison, which requires 100% attendance. This consists of 8 weeks classroom-based training and 2 weeks shadowing to give you a real taste of life on the job. The ITC provides high quality training, you’ll complete a Diploma in Custodial Care, First Aid and undergo Control and Restraint training.

Travel:

Please note that this position is based at HMP & YOI Doncaster, Marsh Gate, Doncaster DN5 8UX. Due to the nature of our shift patterns, we strongly encourage applicants to consider their commute time and transportation options before applying. We recommend that candidates live within a 30 mile radius of the above location to maintain punctuality, work-life balance, and job satisfaction.

What else do I need to know?

Required

• Have at least two years remaining on your current visa to ensure sufficient time in the role
• Have lived in the UK for at least one year

For general right-to-work guidance, please visit the UK Home Office website.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and all offers of employment are subject to security clearance checks, and satisfactory employment references. You’ll be required to provide 5 years of employment and education history as part of these checks. You will be required to obtain Ministry of Justice Enhanced Level 2 Clearance & Enhanced DBS with adult and child barring vetting clearances (which required 5 years of checkable history).

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, a top Great British Employer of Veterans, 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.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

Applicants with disabilities and veterans who meet the minimum job criteria are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.