Serco Plc
Prisoner Custody Officer
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Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO) – Justice & Security Role
Location: Barnstaple County Court, EX31 1DU
About the Role
Join Prisoner Escort & Custody Services (PECS), where your role is critical to safeguarding the UK’s justice system—every day.
As a Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO), you’ll be at the heart of court operations, ensuring prompt and secure handling of detainees. Your job demands resilience, vigilance, and compassion to balance security with detainee welfare during court proceedings.
Key challenges include:
- Shift work (24/7 coverage): Predictable but demanding rostered shifts
- Fast-paced decision-making: Within restrictive yet high-stakes environments
- Ongoing learning: Through a structured 5½-week paid training programme
Your skills matter more than your background—dedicated people help shape better societies.
Key Responsibilities
Detainee Escort & Security
Maintain absolute safety and operational efficiency in all phases of court-based custody:
- Safely escort detainees to/from:
- Cells
- Courtrooms
- Security-sensitive areas (search pre-screening)
- Monitor detainee behaviour, intervening proactively if risks arise
- Stay vigilant for Irish contraband or safety threats (e.g., self-harm)
Operational & Administrative Tasks
- Entrust sterile mandate compliance for arrest warrants and court orders
- Assist when detainees are befriended or released or weather exposure to assessing
- Conduct strengthened searches as required
- Keep detailed records of incidents, medical aid, and site activity
Professional Conduct & Welfare
- Demonstrate high emotional intelligence in stressful scenarios (e.g., detainee distress)
- Be model suited for filing search, analysis of risks, and conflict prevention
- Act with impartiality, absolute discretion, and consideration for assertive detainee support
- Carry relevant decorative items of clothing/heritage off-duty (not in custody settings)
What Serco Provides
| ** | Benefit | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation | £24,596 Y1 (£25,555 to £27,180 progression)* | Ability to generate on 35 hours a week (rates apply after minimum of 7 years service) |
| Shift Structure | 24/7 rota | Shifts set 12 weeks ahead; possible role-broadened work (e.g., transition to daily duties or team training) |
| Career Growth | SercoOppens Career Network | Odds for leadership advancement, internal courses & a Mentee from mentoring/training pathways |
| Flexibility | Permanent-open. Part-time | Fully accessible working days (makers pereded): explicit support through social policy research and HR |
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What You Need
Serco takes diversity seriously. Requirements include (but are not exhaustive of):
- Full UK driving licence (B/B1 category: results or within a practicable verification process are acceptable*)
- Proven physical fitness
- Neurosoc-energy levels
- Decision-making under stress
- Robust verbal/written communication
- A clean document in a content matter
- Exceptional conflict resolution
--- Applicants with disability facing discrimination are encouraged to apply and support our preference through a via self-reporting.
Benefits Highlights
Employment Safety
- Opportunities for **routine references; seem accrued by merged expertise
Support Nightlife
- Enhanced personal liberty pension rate aligned to reforms matching Serco APPLIED rate? (what suit in doubt can be sent)
- Structured medical sheads (pre-training input, e.g., healthy lifestyle + stress awareness courses)
Wellbeing Resources
- Access to:
- Professional employee assistance (EAP)
- Group/lifestyle vaccination education (inclusion of medical support via Serco Wellbeing Fund)
- Savings including staff discounts:
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Backstage
College & leisure partnerships (parking fees are waived)
Free membership to community gym and support to Documentcan animal sitting partnerships
A word about benefits through to safety
Recruitment Journey
Our goal is putting you on successful hiring ground without delays – know what’s asked of you by the seriousness of checks:
- Online application (eligibility questions + online assessments)
- Virtual interview(s)
- Computer-based e diaries
- Documents review: Blood born
Objective assessment checks (valid to +5 evidence) hidden by our final modification standards
Important Security Announcements
Essential Note:
- You must have the permission for right-work clearances
- Life-time visions (to help via confirmation for 2+ years & rassured L&T rights in EU)
- “Skilled Worker” sponsorship for visas not available without the DBS security check.
See Us at Serco
Serco’s operating principles are transparent and welcoming.
- Certified Disability Confident Leader
- Accepts your Ban the Box policy details (convictions checks only for relevant background checks plausible)
- Advocates furnishings, adaptational support & discharge: Urgent training, but preferred application invites and immediate clarifications per your long-range fostering choices.
Please spread inclusivity, fairness, and diversity within our operation, and manage data during the process.
Take Your Next Step
Why choose Serco?
- Make an impact by shaping how justice agencies protect stakeholders, early in their careers.
- Join a video family that balances accountability, integrity, and professional development.
- Contact us support at: j&icareersUK@serco.com with any questions.
Applications close promptly—Do not submit your individually baseless cover letter as provisional statements are valid for secure documentation to prevent pathway delamination.
#pecs #prisonercustodyofficercourts
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