Prisoner Custody Officer

Serco; Oxford; On-site; GBP 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization as a Prisoner Custody Officer, where your role is pivotal in ensuring the safety and well-being of detainees during court proceedings. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in people's lives while being part of a supportive team. You'll be responsible for escorting detainees, monitoring their welfare, and ensuring a secure court environment. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, this company values every team member and provides continuous training and development opportunities. If you're looking for a rewarding career that makes an impact, this role is for you.

Benefits

Pension (matched up to 6%)

Life Insurance

Annual Leave (20 days, rising to 25 after 7 years)

Employee Assistance Programme

Health Care and Dental Plans

Discounts on Leisure and Retail

Continuous Training & Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills and the ability to handle challenging situations.
• Commitment to maintaining the wellbeing of detainees.

Responsibilities

• Escort defendants safely to and from courtrooms and cells.
• Monitor and supervise detainees during court sessions.
• Ensure the safety and security of the court environment.

Skills

Communication Skills

Vigilance

Responsibility

Physical Fitness

Education

Valid Driver's License

Job description

Location: Oxford Crown or Magistrates Court

Salary: £22,502 per annum

Working as a Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO) in Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS) is more than just a job; it’s the chance to be a part of something great, to join a work family where you are valued, and you can make a difference every day. In addition to a rewarding career, we also offer:

• Base Salary of £22,502 (35hrs pw)
• Continuous training & development opportunities, with annual salary increments (year 2 - £23,062 / year 3 - £23,469 / year 4 - £23,933)
• Pension (matched up to 6%), life insurance; 20 days annual leave (rising to 25 after 7 years’ service) plus Bank Holidays.
• A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, MIND, Simply Health Care and Dental Plans.
• Access to discounts and exclusive deals such as Merlin Attractions, Mobile Phone discounts, Cinema discounts, Leisure, Retail and Hospitality discounts.
• A supportive team & culture where you’ll get the chance to make a positive difference in a company passionate about diversity and inclusion.

We are operational 24/6 and you’ll cover various early and late shifts, 35hrs pw. Flexibility is key due to the nature of the role, with different working arrangements & additional hours. There will be days when your finishing time could be unpredictable, however, we operate a rota basis (provided 12 weeks in advance) that allows you the flexibility to enjoy meaningful time off.

We are open to considering part-time positions for day shifts only. However, please note that full-time attendance would be required during the initial training period of 5 1/2 weeks.

About the Role:

As a PCO at our court, you’ll work as part of a team to provide safe and secure escorting and custody services to detainees, focusing on maintaining their physical and mental wellbeing. Key duties include:

• Escorting defendants to and from courtrooms, cells, and other areas within the court, including accompanying them to the toilet to ensure security and safety.
• Monitoring and supervising detainees during court sessions, ensuring they remain secure.
• Maintaining discretion and confidentiality regarding sensitive information discussed during court proceedings.
• Ensuring that detainees have access to food and drink, catering to dietary requirements.
• Monitoring the mental and physical health of detainees and reporting concerns to authorities.
• Ensuring the safety and security of the court environment, including responding to incidents.
• Completing necessary paperwork accurately, including logging detainee movements and incidents.
• Working closely with other court staff and legal professionals to ensure smooth operations.

What you need to do the job!

Our current PCOs come to us with different work & life experiences; what matters is that you’re committed to making a difference. Ideally, you’ll have a current valid driver's license, be reasonably fit, and possess good written and verbal communication skills. This role requires responsibility, vigilance, and the ability to handle challenging situations with professionalism.

Online Assessment (sent via email upon application) -> Briefing call to assess eligibility -> Competency based virtual interview -> short role-play and written exercise.

Additional Information:

All roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all offers of employment are subject to Ministry of Justice Enhanced Level 2 checks with Enhanced DBS (Adult & Child Barring) and satisfactory employment references.

About Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world. We are committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.

By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks).

Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working.

At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge. Please contact our recruitment team directly to discuss.