Serco Plc
Prisoner Custody Officer - Taunton
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Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO) – Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS) Location: Taunton Crown Court Salary: £23,402 per annum (35hrs pw)
About the Role
Working as a Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO) in Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS) offers more than a career—it delivers the opportunity to be part of a meaningful, supportive team where every role contributes to ensuring justice is administered safely and securely.
Key Responsibilities
As a PCO at Taunton Crown Court, your role is critical:
- Escort duties: Safely escort detainees between courtrooms, cells, and other areas, including toileting (potentially handcuffed escorting).
- Courtroom oversight: Monitor detainees during court sessions, maintaining security and preventing self-harm or threats.
- Sensitive handling:
- Work with confidential witness testimonies, legal discussions, and distressing evidence—struggling to uphold discretion.
- Manage professional boundaries while offering basic emotional support to detainees.
- Detainee care:
- Provide food, water, and dietary accommodations.
- Track physical/mental health, flag serious concerns, and coordinate with medical staff as needed.
- Legal collaboration: Cooperate with law enforcement, legal teams, and court staff to ensure proceedings run smoothly.
- Security protocols:
- Conduct searches to prevent contraband.
- Respond to incidents, emergencies, or security breaches.
- Administrative duties: Maintain accurate records—incidents, detainee movements, and timely paperwork.
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What You’ll Need
Successful applicants share a commitment to supporting others. It’s a learning role with comprehensive training (5.5 weeks), but these help:
- Personal skills:
- Current driver’s license (strongly preferred).
- Good physical fitness and communication skills (written/verbal).
- Ability to assess situations quickly, manage high responsibility, and remain professional under pressure.
- Experience:
- No prior essential background, but roles appeal particularly to those with an interest in criminology, psychology, or justice.
Work Environment & Benefits
- Operational hours: Rotating schedules (24/7). Shifts include early/late work for 35 hours/week (unpredictable end times due to dynamic nature).
- Rota flexibility: Advance planning ensures meaningful leave time (annual leave begins at 20 days, increased to 25 after 7 years plus holidays).
- Part-time potential: Full-time commitment is required during initial training (5.5 weeks), but daytime part-time roles can be considered.
Base salary: £23,402 (with increments over 4 years: Year 2–£23,984; Year 3–£24,436; Year 4–£24,890)
- Additional benefits:
- 6% employer pension matching, life insurance.
- Health & wellbeing support: MIND partnerships, private medical/an dental plans, and an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Discounts: Leisure, retail, cinema, travel, and mobile phone deals.
- Culture: Diverse, inclusive work environment shaped by a fast-paced team.
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Assessment Process
- Online Assessment (via email).
- Briefing call to check eligibility.
- Competency-based virtual interview + practical exercise (short role-play).
About Serco
Serco delivers essential services like defence, justice, and healthcare worldwide with 50,000 colleagues. Join a company committed to diversity and innovation.
About Security & Fair Access
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All offers depend on:
- Enhanced Level 2 checks distinct from 1974 Rehabilitation Act protections (MCJ standards).
- Enhanced DBS checks (both adult & child barring).
- Satisfactory references.
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Supporting barriers: Serco takes part in Ban the Box pledge, but roles require security clearances.
Diversity & Inclusion
- Equality-first: Reasonable adjustments made throughout hiring and employment to accommodate disabilities—contact: @j&icareersuk@serco.com.
- Hybrid/flexible working considered.
Apply now: Click here to apply (Note: Applications review—act fast to avoid delays.)
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