Prisoner Custody Officer - Belvedere Vehicle Base

Key Responsibilities:

• 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!

Our current PCOs come to us with diverse work and life experiences. What you’ve done before doesn’t matter; what matters is your commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. The rest you will learn during your 5 1/2-week training course and through our experienced colleagues. You’ll need to hold a current driver's licence, B1 or C1 Licence (valid CPC card desirable). Our roles would suit those who have a particular 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 with a calm and composed demeanour.
• Ability to think on your feet and make quick, effective decisions in challenging situations.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the 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 always 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, as it does not meet the required salary or skill level criteria. Whilst we encourage applications to other roles, candidates who already have a valid right to work in the UK through 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 process 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.

#PECS

All Serco employees must ensure that their current line manager is aware of their application. For confidential enquiries, please contact MyHR. Serco are Disability Confident Leader employers and are committed to employing and retaining people with disabilities. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact j&icareersUK@serco.com.