Prisoner Custody Officer - Croydon Vehicle Base

Serco Limited; Croydon; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent service provider is seeking a Prisoner Escort Custody Driver (PCO) in Croydon. The role involves ensuring safe and secure transportation of detainees while adhering to protocols. Applicants must have a current driver's licence and demonstrate strong emotional intelligence and decision-making skills. This position offers competitive salary, benefits, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Salary increments

Pension (matched up to 6%)

20-25 days annual leave

Health and wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Ability to understand and respond to the emotional needs of detainees.
• Capability to handle stressful situations calmly.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Transport detainees safely to courts and prisons.
• Conduct checks and monitor welfare during transport.
• Complete necessary paperwork and vehicle checks.

Skills

Emotional understanding

Stress management

Decisiveness

Collaboration

Protocol adherence

Physical fitness

Conflict de-escalation

Ethical standards

Education

Current driver’s licence

B1 or C1 Licence

Valid CPC card (desirable)

Job description

Overview

Permanent roles offering job stability & security. Working as a Prisoner Escort Custody Driver (PCO) in Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS) is a role within a professional team that contributes to the justice system, ensuring safety and security every day. In addition to a rewarding career, we also offer the following benefits:

• Salary of £29,744 (40hrs pw). Training salary is £26,026 (35hrs pw).
• Annual salary increments: Year 2 - £30,467; Year 3 - £31,154; Year 4 - £31,865.
• Additional driving allowance earnings for Category B1/C1 License holders: B1 = £600 per year; C1 = £2,400 per year. (C1 License holders must drive 6 cell vehicles - subject to further terms).
• A potential first-year income between £35,334 & £37,144 (depending upon license type and overtime based on a current average of 8 hrs overtime per week).
• Pension (matched up to 6%), life insurance, 20 days annual leave (rising to 25 after 7 years) plus Bank Holidays.
• Discounts on Merlin Attractions, mobile phones, cinema, leisure, retail, and hospitality.
• Health and wellbeing support: Employee Assistance Programme, MIND, Simply Health Care, and Dental Plans.
• A supportive team and culture passionate about diversity and inclusion.

About the Role

As a PCO at our base, you'll work as part of a crew to provide safe and secure court transportation and custody services. You'll collect adult male and female detainees between prisons, police stations and courts, always ensuring their well-being. Depending on operational requirements, you may be required to remain at court, where you'll be responsible for the care of the detainee until they return to custody or are released. Duties include accompanying defendants in courtrooms and cells, searching property and people, ensuring food and drink are available, and completing paperwork and data entry.

• Start the day early, attend briefings to receive assignments, including details on prisoners, pick-up and drop-off locations, and specific risks.
• Check handheld devices for schedules and prisoner information. Complete vehicle checks.
• Collect prisoners from various locations, verify paperwork and property, search prisoners, and load them onto the vehicle.
• Monitor prisoners' welfare during transport, conduct cell checks, and provide water if needed. Arrange comfort stops for long journeys.
• Transport prisoners to courts and handle inter-prison transfers for reasons such as bed space management or educational needs.
• Return to the vehicle base, perform end-of-use checks, report defects, and hand in documentation.
• Work beyond contracted hours due to job demands, sometimes exceeding 50 hours a week. Stay with prisoners admitted to hospitals and handle emergency transfers during incidents like prison riots.

What you need to do the job

Current PCOs come with diverse work and life experiences. What you've done before matters less than your commitment to making a difference. You will learn during a 5 1/2-week training course and through our experienced colleagues. You’ll need to hold a current driver’s licence and B1 or C1 Licence (valid CPC card desirable). This role may suit those with an interest in criminology or psychology. Required skills and abilities:

• Ability to understand and respond to the emotional needs of detainees.
• Capability to handle stressful and emotionally demanding situations calmly.
• Ability to think on your feet and make quick, effective decisions in challenging situations.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure safety and well-being of detainees.
• Meticulous in following protocols, conducting searches, and completing paperwork accurately.
• Adequate physical fitness to perform duties that may involve restraining detainees and handling long hours.
• Skilled in de-escalating conflicts and managing challenging behaviour effectively.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and professionalism. Sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds and needs of detainees, ensuring respectful and fair treatment.

Our Assessment Process

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. This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office rules. Applicants from other immigration routes or permissions must meet the below minimum eligibility criteria:

• Have at least two years remaining on your current visa
• Have lived in the UK for at least one year, as vetting requires a counter-signatory from a recognised professional who has known you for that duration.

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

About Serco

At Serco, the nature of the work is important, and everyone has an important role to play. We are a team of 50,000 delivering essential public services worldwide in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We value diversity and inclusion and offer networks such as SercoInspire, SercoEmbrace, SercoUnlimited and In@Serco. We are open to flexible working and are Disability Confident Leader employers and holders of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be invited to interview. For help with your application please contact j&[e-mail]. We support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the Ban the Box pledge; discuss with the recruitment team if needed.

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