Prisoner Custody Officer

Serco; St Albans; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading service provider in the UK as a Prisoner Custody Officer. You will be part of a dedicated team responsible for safely escorting detainees while focusing on their wellbeing during court appearances. The role offers continuous training, a supportive environment, and various benefits. Ideal candidates will demonstrate commitment, communication skills, and a readiness to make a positive impact.

Benefits

Pension (matched up to 6%)

Life insurance

Annual leave (rising after 7 years)

Employee Assistance Programme

Health and Dental Plans

Discounts on leisure and retail

Continuous training & development opportunities

Qualifications

• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Current valid driver's license.
• Reasonably fit and able to manage different situations.

Responsibilities

• Provide safe escorting and custody services to detainees.
• Accompany defendants in courtrooms and ensure their wellbeing.
• Complete paperwork and data entry efficiently.

Skills

Communication

Fitness

Job description

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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 £, (hrs pw).
• We believe in recognising your contributions and growth, so as well as continuous training & development opportunities, every year, you will be eligible for a base salary increment, allowing you to see tangible progress in your earnings (year 2 - £, / year 3 - £, / year 4 - £,)
• Pension (matched up to 6%), life insurance; days annual leave (rising 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, Thrive App, MIND, Simply Health Care and Dental Plans and more
• Access to discounts and exclusive deals such as Merlin Attractions, Mobile Phone discounts, Cinema discounts, Leisure, Retail and Hospitality discounts and more
• A supportive team & culture where you’ll get the chance to make a positive difference in a company passionate about diversity and inclusion

We operate 24/7 and you’ll cover various early and late shifts, hrs pw. Flexibility is key, as due to the nature of the role, there are a range of different working arrangements & additional hours. There will be days when your finishing time could be unpredictable; however, we operate a rota basis (provided weeks in advance) that allows you the flexibility to enjoy meaningful time off to do the things you love.

About the Role:

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

During court, you’ll be responsible for all aspects of their care until it’s time for them to return to custody or be released. Key duties include accompanying defendants in courtrooms and cells; searching property or people; ensuring food and drink are available; and completing paperwork and data entry for the day.

What you need to do the job!

Our current PCOs come with diverse work & life experiences. What you’ve done before doesn’t matter; what matters is your commitment to making a difference in others’ lives. You will learn during our 5 ½-week training course and through our experienced colleagues.

Ideally, you’ll hold a current valid driver's license, be reasonably fit, and have good written and verbal communication skills, to manage and control all situations. Our roles would suit those with an interest in criminology or psychology.

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Our Assessment Process:

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.