Serco Plc
Prisoner Escort & Custody Driver
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Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO) in Prisons' Escort and Custody Services (PECS) – Peterborough Vehicle Base, PE3 7PR
About the Role Join the team at Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS), where you’ll play a vital role in maintaining the safety and security of the justice system. This role is essential, exciting, and full of opportunity with a strong focus on contingency, wellbeing, and progression.
Hygas & Compensation
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Initial salary: £24,596 (35-hour working week) – increasing with progression
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Graduated base salary (post-training):
- £28,109 (40-hour week) – rising to £29,205 from 1 September 2026
- Annual progression:
- Year 2: £29,932
- Year 3: £30,496
- Year 4: £31,063
Additional earning potential through driving allowances:
- B/B1 licence: £600 per year
- C1 licence: £2,400 per year (eligibility based on vehicle type)
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With average overtime (8 hours/week), first-year potential income ranges between £34,805 and £36,605.
Work Environment This position operates 24/7, meaning rotations across early, late, and shift patterns (further details shared in the offered rota, provided 12 weeks in advance).
- Flexibility is key – shifts may require responding to operational needs beyond contracted hours.
- Part-time consideration possible but must include full working days (reduced hours not available).
Role Responsibilities As a Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO), you and your crew will ensure:
- Safe and secure transport of detainees between prisons, courts, and police stations.
- Escorts within courts and cells – Includes searching, welfare checks, and paperwork.
- Risk management – Briefings include detainee, route, and operational risks.
Key duties include:
- Attending briefings to review detainee and risk details.
- Conducting vehicle and equipment checks prior to transports.
- Searching, transporting, and monitoring welfare during transit (including comfort checks).
- Delivering detainees to courts or between facilities.
- Completing comprehensive end-of-shift reports and documentation.
- Responsibility for detainees in court settings until return to custody or release.
- Ability to work flexibly under pressure and during critical incidents.
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Qualifications & Person Specified Our PCOs come from diverse backgrounds – the most important qualities are reliability, integrity, compassion, and professionalism, coupled with a commitment to safeguarding and respect.
Must meet: ✔ Full UK driving licence (with B/B1 or C1 dependent on assignment). ✔ For C1 licence holders, preferably holds a valid CPC (Certificates of Professional Competence). ✔ Suitable reasonable fitness for physically demanding duties. ✔ Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to escalate conflict calmly. ✔ Comfortable working accurately under pressure, with high standards of professionalism and confidentiality.
Training & Support Includes 5 weeks fully paid training, plus ongoing coaching and mentorship from experienced colleagues.
Benefits
- Holidays: 20 days (rising to 25 days + bank holidays after 7 years of service).
- Pension: Up to 6% contribution matched by Serco in a private pension scheme.
- Training & development:
- Core 5½-week induction.
- Access to nheseding qualifications, mentoring, and clear career progression paths.
- Health and wellbeing: Serco supports long-term employee wellbeing with:
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- Free membership to MIND (mental health charity) and Simply Health (cash/select health plan).
- Discounts: Savings on merchant partners including Merlin attractions, travel, subscriptions, and dining.
- ** Employee Wellbeing & Networks:**
- Employer-funded gym memberships and wellness workshops.
- Access to Serco’s diverse global employee networks (e.g., SercoEmbrace for Multicultural collaborators, SercoInspire for gender-focused discussions), among others.
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Recruitment Process Applications consist of:
- Online application (includes eligibility and assessments).
- Virtual assessment: Competency-based interviews and written exercises via role-play.
- Right-to-work and vetting checks upon offer confirmation.
- Job offer followed by full transparency on training start dates.
Required-Eligibility:
- Subject to Ministry of Justice’s Enhanced Level 2 clearance, DBS (Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service) check.
- Reference and medical occupational fitness assessments.
- Charges of Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (No longer apprentices).
- Alcohol and drug testing before and potentially during employment.
About Serco Serco delivers essential public services globally including defence, justice, healthcare, London congestion charging and more. Here you’ll belong to a 50,000-strong talent network, united in innovation and excellence. Serco empowers employees with global engagement groups supporting career development, inclusivity, and diversity initiatives.
#Gravity Delivered – Stand with us. Serve with pride. Apply today.
Serco is committed to equal opportunity and helping a diverse range of candidates succeed. This role is open to self-advocacy through reasonable adjustments during the application process and interview. For support with your application, contact: j&icareersUK@serco.com
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