Serco Plc
Prisoner Custody Officer - Woking Vehicle Base

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Prisoner Custody Officer - Woking Vehicle Base
Location: Woking Vehicle Base, GU21 3BA Join us a Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO) in Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS) where you’ll play a key role in helping keep the justice system safe and secure. In addition to job security and stability you'll receive: Initial Training Salary: £24,596 (35hrs pw) Graduated Base Salary: £28,109 (40 hrs pw), rising to £29,205 from 1st September 2026, with clear annual progression (Year 2: £29,932; Year 3: £30,496; Year 4: £31,063). When combined with base salary and average overtime (8hrs pw), this gives a potential first-year income of between £34,805 and £36,605!
We operate 24/6 across early and late shifts, so flexibility is essential. Finishing times can be unpredictable, and you may need to work beyond your contracted hours to meet operational demands. Shifts are set on a rota provided 12 weeks in advance, giving you visibility to plan ahead. Part-time working may be considered, but this must be across full working days, as reduced daily hours are not available.
Keep people safe. Keep justice moving.
As a PCO, you’ll work as part of a crew delivering safe and secure transport and custody services. You’ll escort detainees between prisons, police stations, and courts, ensuring their welfare throughout. Depending on operational needs, you may remain at court, taking responsibility for detainees until their return to custody or release. Duties include escorting within courts and cells, searching, supporting welfare, and completing essential paperwork. Key responsibilities: Attend briefings and receive detainee, route, and risk details Carry out vehicle and equipment checks Collect, search, and transport detainees safely Monitor welfare during transport, including checks and comfort stops Deliver detainees to courts or between establishments Complete end-of-shift checks, reporting, and documentation Work flexibly, including extended hours and responding to incidents What you need to do the job! Our PCOs come from a range of backgrounds—what matters most is you are reliable, trustworthy and compassionate, committed to safeguarding and treating people with dignity and respect. In return you’ll receive full training through a 5½-week paid training, plus ongoing support from experienced colleagues. Requirements of the role: Reasonable fitness for the physical demands of the role Strong communication skills (written and verbal) Ability to stay calm and make decisions under pressure Confidence managing behaviour and de-escalating conflict Teamwork and the ability to follow processes accurately Professionalism, integrity, and respect for confidentiality What we offer Holidays: 20 days (rising to 25 after 7 years’ service) plus bank holidays (pro rata’d) Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme (matched by Serco) Training and development: Structured induction (5½ weeks), ongoing learning, access to internal courses and qualifications, mentoring, and a strong focus on internal progression Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), support from mental health charity MIND, Simply Health cash and dental plans, wellbeing resources, discount on membership at Serco-run gyms Discounts: Savings across major retailers and experiences, including Merlin attractions, cinema, leisure, retail, hospitality, mobile plans, and more
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Our recruitment process Online application inc. eligibility questions and online assessments Virtual assessment: Competency based interview, short roleplay and written exercise (online) Initial right to work and vetting documentation checks Job offer and confirmation of your training start date Eligibility checks and further information Job offers are subject to Ministry of Justice Enhanced Level 2 checks with Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance, satisfactory employment references and occupational health checks. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All roles are subject to random alcohol and drug testing.
This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office regulations. You must have the right to work in the UK. If you do have a visa, it must have at least two years remaining, and you must have at least one year’s UK residency (to enable required counter signatory checks by a recognised professional).
All colleagues share responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and must complete the required training and follow our safeguarding policies.


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About Serco At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.
By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Apply Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.
At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Silver Inclusive Employer Standard. 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 At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on j&icareersuk@serco.com to discuss.
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