HM Prison and Probation Service
202607: Prison Officer - HMP Lancaster Farms
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Prison Officer – HMP Lancaster Farms
Location: Lancaster, North West England, LA1 3QZ Salary: £36,816 (39-hour week including 20% unsocial hours allowance) Shift Pattern: 39-hour week. Requires evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays. Fixed shift start/finish times – applicants responsible for attending on time.
About The Role
Prison officers protect the public and positively impact prisoners' lives. Whether through challenging behaviours, offering counsel, or acting as educators, this dynamic role allows for diverse daily experiences.
Unlike a traditional job, no two days are the same – one moment, you’re a peacekeeper; the next, a mentor or formatter. If you have emotional resilience, self-confidence, empathy, and a commitment to public safety, apply for a career that starts here.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain order, security, and discipline within a high-security prison environment, working directly with potentially diverse and challenging individuals.
- Develop constructive, professional relationships with inmates, even those at their lowest point, while demonstrating empathy and understanding.
- Support the team-based training of prisoners, aiding in their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
- Assist in daily operational duties, from assemblies to recreational activities, ensuring a structured, safe environment for everyone.
- Collaborate with colleagues to uphold high standards of safety, teamwork, and service across all shifts.
- Respond to incidents and crises with composure, ensuring clear communication and adherence to policy.
- Participate in effective decision-making, balancing safety protocols with fair, compassionate practice.
Eligibility & Requirements
Essential Criteria
✅ Age: At least 18 years at commencement of employment. ✅ Nationality: Must satisfy Civil Service nationality requirements, including UK/EEA rights to work (if working at a Category A high-security prison). ✅ Tattoos: Must not be offensive, discriminatory, violent, or intimidating. Certain visible tattoos may be prohibited. ✅ Physical fitness: Must pass a basic medical and fitness test (including medical check, vision and hearing assessments). ✅ Language: Fluency in English required (or specification of Welsh if provided in role).
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Compliance & Background Checks
🔍 Security: Participants in baseline personnel security standards checks and must pass advanced criminal record vetting.
Transport
⚠ Extremely important: This prison is situated in a rural area. A driving license can be advantageous, but fixed shifts mean applicants must attend punctually, regardless of transport arrangements.
Benefits & Conditions
✔ Income:
- 37 hours/week: £34,928 annually (pension contributions total: £10,118).
- 39 hours/week: £36,816 (starting salary, + unsocial hours).
- 41 hours/week: £39,334.
All salaries include applicable allowances.
✔ Pension: 28.97% employer contribution to Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
✔ Leave:
- 25+ days holiday annually, increasing to 30 days after 10 years of service.
- Additional paid public holiday and a privilege day.
✔ Working Environment:
- 39-hour week typically cycling through evenings, nights, weekends, and bank holidays.
- Fluctuating work schedule with variable hours uplifts.
- Improved.return.on.qtsupport.for.c부분.encompassment.of.unique.work-life balance through flexible scheduling.
✔ Lifestyle Rewards:
- Cycle to Work Scheme, Travel Loans, and other benefits.
- Trend-based support initiated by the Civil Service catering not only to disabled applicants but also veterans via the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Assessment Process
This is a merit-based hiring race (competition will play a defining role in outcomes).
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Application Stage: Submit an application indicating communication skills, empathy, and decision-making proficiency.
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Online Tests:
- Stage 1: Judgement & Numerical ability (door-opens gateway to the next stage) assessment.
- Stage 2: Values-based online assessment – Critical in evaluating your alignment with essential behaviors such as resilience and teamwork.
Note: Multiple unsuccessful candidates at Stage 2 online tests in the last 6 months may reapply.
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Online Assessment Centre (OAC):
- Combined simulated scenarios, interpersonal interaction checks, and physical aptitude.
- Participates in potential placement on OSG (Operational Support Grade Merit List) even if unsuccessful in engraved HC Phoils application lands individuals instead into a mutilated entry grade equivalent.
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Job Offer: Based on a ranked merit-list after evaluations conclude.
- Upon completing OAC and meeting established threshold score, you are added provisionally to the merit list.
- Available open positions triggerOffer within a 12-month term (unless removed or voluntarily declined).
- Six-month waiting period after rejection to mitigate duplicates/reiterations by contestants.
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Fitness & Medical Assessment: Having secured end goal (plus citizenship protections) if required for operational work:
Support Measures
🔀 Disability & Equal Opportunity Scheme (DCS): Custom-crafted adjustments*, requested prior to assessment tests to cater for specific limitations or barriers.
Programs & Special Inclusion Schemes
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Guaranteed Interview Scheme for [Veterans]: Compiled for ex-Service personnel with minimum score confirmation eligibility by reading further consult the Kivv yours at civil service supported experiences.
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Redeployment Interview Scheme: For candidates at ’at risk’ of redundancy re-employment, provided assigned work meets guidelines.
Detailed Applicant Guidance & Access
📌 Visit Candidate Information Page for SAD & general queries.
Each application include sufficient info and a wide choice while excluding intrusive artificial intelligence to amplify materials composition.
Linked numerical resources clearly declared in the post:
🔗 Civil Service People Plan 🔗 Veterans Scheme Documents 🔗 Mail/conven Samar response for assistance & queries: Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries, commentality for further professional exploration.
Closing Date: 9th July 2026
Reference: [Job Ref 19406]
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