HM Prison and Probation Service
202607: Prison Officer - HMP Highpoint
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202607: Prison Officer - HMP Highpoint
Prison Officer – HMP Highpoint (Band 1, Civil Service)
Location: HMP Highpoint, Stradishall, Newmarket, CB8 9YG City/Town: Cambridge/Bury St Edmunds Region: East of England Salary: £38,816 (for 39-hour week inc. 20% unsocial hours allowance) Vacancy Type: Merit Closing Date: 23rd July 2026 Job Reference: 19401
About the Role: An Extraordinary Opportunity
Prison officers play a critical role in protecting the public and positively supporting prisoners at a defining moment in their lives. If you have the strength of character, empathy, and resilience to thrive in this high-stakes environment, this could be your start to a meaningful career.
Key Responsibilities and Day-to-Day Reality
- You could be a peacemaker, counsellor, teacher, or mentor—anyone might be your next professional challenge.
- You’ll actively support positive behaviour change by fostering constructive professional relationships with complex individuals.
- Teamwork is essential—your role requires commitment, adaptability to shifts (including evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays), and collaboration with colleagues to maintain safety.
- You’ll operate in a diverse, challenging environment that tests emotional intelligence, decision-making, and thriveability under pressure.
Eligibility and Requirements
Basic Criteria:
✔ Must be at least 18 years old at commencement of employment ✔ Must meet Civil Service Nationality requirements (UK/EU nationals, Commonwealth citizens with work rights, EUSS eligible individuals). ✔ Lives in the UK for the past 3 years if applying to a Category A high-security prison.
Health and Safety Standards:
✔ Must pass a medical and fitness assessment (including eyesight/hearing tests and general physical health screening—no hearing aids permitted at assessment stage). ✔ Must meet Civil Service Safeguarding, security, and safeguarding standards. This involves criminal record baseline checks and a security clearance.
Tattoos and Appearance:
- Acceptable if non-offensive and non-discriminatory (Seller tattoos will be reviewed beyond appearance.)
- False or concealment devices (e.g., mesh or shields) are not permitted.
Immigration and Sponsorship
- Sponsorship is not guaranteed. Candidates are responsible for securing their right to work.
- Skilled Worker visa sponsorship deemed unlikely given current policy—applicants are encouraged to check their eligibility independently.
- Civil Service adheres to UK Immigration Rules.
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Key Skills and Personal Qualities Needed
There are no strict academic qualifications required. Instead, focus on:
🔹 Strong communication and influence skills (essential for managing relationships in a tense environment). 🔹 Commitment to quality (ensuring standards to protect both staff and prisoners). 🔹 Effective decision-making (requiring clear-headed judgement in emergencies). 🔹 Deep **care and empathy—**as any professional spectator, you will work closely with vulnerable or at-risk individuals.
Physical Requirements: A physically active role—ability to move effectively in confined spaces if required։
Working Arrangements and Hours
- Training: Part-time contractual 37-hour week (focused settlement/induction phase).
- Full-time schedule: 39-41 hours weeks upon completion of training.
- Shift pattern: Flexible (evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays added to holiday allowance).
- Own transport or car licence recommended due to rural locations but is not always essential.
Benefits Package
- 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service).
- Paid time off for public holidays + 1 privilege day.
- Civil Service pension (employer contributes 28.97%).
- Stationary bicycle and travel loan⁄cycle-to-work schemes.
- AS selections for inuturefast protection/byline”, e.g., relevant protection/Direct Care Grant data.
Recruitment Process
Stage 1: Application
- Submit and meet the minimum personal standards.
Online Assessment Tests
- Stage 1: Basic judgement and numerical skills test.
- Stage 2: Values-based assessment evaluating crucial prison-officer qualities (caring, decision-making, communication). Repeat assessments after 6 months are permitted.
Stage 3: Online Assessment Centre (OAC)
- Full evaluation tailored to determine if you possess needful behaviours/strengths and ability in emergency scenarios (bespoke digital assessments).
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Potential Outcomes
- On successful completion, you’ll be placed on a merit list—offered roles first to highest-scorers.
- Merit list extends 12 months; otherwise, re-apply.
- Waiter is not offered—ineligible if scoring under the prospective threshold.
Operational Support Grade (OSG) Alternative Roles
If you’re unsuccessful as a Prison Officer, the MoJ may offer an alternative Operational Support Grade (OSG) role with a different contract.
Medical and Security Standards
- Requirements apply through UK-based medical and security clearance checks.
- Family/Scarring is unlikely to be prosecuted, subject to contextual regulations.
Applicant Support
Reasonable Adjustments
- Disability Confident Schemes assist employment barriers. Contact team/Moj for reasonable accommodation plans in advance.
Security
- Model <summary/original notes">Consent to conducting baseline security checks.
Additional Opportunities
‘A Great Place to Work for Veterans’ Scheme
- Steer target scheme for veterans within (Armed Forces Covenant requirements) journey.
- gov Vital Link to Scheme Page
Redeployment Interview Program
- Open environment: MoJ committed to growth merit for redundant candidates (not applicable if applying internally).
Starting the Questionnaire:
☞ START NOW: *Application Form / Application Process*
Contact and Support Details
Need assistance? 📞 Call: 0345 241 5358 (Mo-Fri, 8am–6pm) 📧 Email: MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com (Reference: 19401)
Security Notice
- Protected Service Information Restriction (PSI) may apply after the closing date.
Further Information
🌐 https://justicejobs.tal.net/career-home/recruitment-resources 📄 Recommend Saving job description for later reviews. Set templates or backup as there will no future archive access.
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