Serco Plc
Prisoner Escort & Custody Driver
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Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO) – Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS)
Location: Sittingbourne Vehicle Base, ME10 2PG
About the Role
Join Serco in an essential role—Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO) in Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS), where you’ll help maintain the safety and security of both detainees and the justice system.
You’ll play a critical role in transporting detainees securely between prisons, police stations, and courts, while also ensuring their welfare during transit and at destinations like courthouses or prisons.
"Keep people safe. Keep justice moving."
Why You’ll Love It
Competitive Compensation & Growth
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Initial Training Salary: £24,596 (35 hours/week)
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Graduated Base Salary: £28,109 (progressing to £29,205 from 1st September 2026)
- Year 2: £29,932
- Year 3: £30,496
- Year 4: £31,063
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Additional Earnings: Through driving allowances (subject to driving licence and vehicle type):
- B/B1 Licence: £600/year
- C1 Licence: £2,400/year
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Combined with average overtime (8 hrs/week), your first-year income potential ranges from £34,805–£36,605.
Flexible & Secure Work Structure
- Operate 24/7 with access to a shift rota set 12 weeks in advance; shifts are early/late, with finishing times occasionally unpredictable.
- Full shifts (contracted daytime hours not diminished).
- Hybrid work structure available in some business areas.
Key Responsibilities
- Participate in briefings to get detainee, route, and risk details.
- Perform vehicle and equipment checks to ensure operations run smoothly.
- Collect, search, and transport detainees safely from prison/court to prison/courthouse, while observing standard procedures.
- Monitor welfare and comfort during transport (including access to approved comfort breaks).
- Deliver detainees to courts or permanent custody.
- Complete end-of-shift checks, reporting, and meticulous documentation.
- Adapt to unplanned extended hours/demands to meet operational needs.
- Manage detainees at courts, ensuring their return or release upon judgment.
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(All duties align with Public Sector regulations and Serco governance.)
What You’ll Need
To succeed as a PCO, you must demonstrate:
Essential:
- Full UK driving licence, minimum B/B1 (C1/HGV licences encouraged, depending on duties). (C1 licence holders: valid CPC necessary if operating C1 vehicles.)
- Outstanding physical fitness, strengthen flexibility to meet shift demands
- Exceptional communication skills (verbal and written).
- Ability to stay composed under pressure when managing risky or uncertain situations.
- Spotting, de-escalating conflict, and managing behaviour effectively.
- Strict adherence to processes and accuracy. Tolerance for repetitive procedural work.
- Integrity—commitment to confidentiality, that extends to safeguarding categories including children and vulnerable persons.
Serco will provide comprehensive training during 5½-week paid induction, plus ongoing support and development opportunities.
Training & Development
- Full Paid Training: 5½ weeks covering all operational and health/safety policies.
- On-the-job mentoring from experienced colleagues.
- Access to Serco’s learning platforms and internal certifications.
- Clear career progression with structured feedback and annual reviews.
What We Offer
Benefits:
✅ Holidays: 20 days + pro-rated bank holidays (rising to 25 after 7 years service). ✅ Pension: Up to 6% (6%) employer-matched pension scheme. ✅ Professional Development: Mentoring, internal courses, certifications, continuing education. ✅ Health & Wellbeing: Free access to:
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Mind support resources
- Simply Health cash and dental plans
- Discounted gym memberships at Serco-operated facilities ✅ Staff discounts across huge retailers and experiences (including cinema, retail, transport, travel, and leisure). ✅ Flexible & diverse workplaces that respect culture, gender, race, and accessibility needs.
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Recruitment Process
To secure this role, follow these standard steps:
- Online Application: Complete with eligibility questions + online assessments.
- Virtual Assessment: Competency-based interview, roleplay, and written exercises (online).
- Pre-employment Checks:
- Right-to-work documentation
- Enhanced DBS (DBS Level 2 Disclosure, including barred/criminal record checks)
- References from employers
- Occupational health checks (ensuring you meet the role’s physical/mental demands)
- Safeguarding training compliance (all required safeguarding training must be completed before starting)
- Job Offer + scheduled training start.
Safeguarding Commitment
All employees must complete anti-safeguarding training and adhere to Serco’s safeguarding policies for children and vulnerable adults.
Note: This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under UK regulations and requires a valid Right-to-Work permit in the UK for at least 2 years, alongside at least 1 year of residency. (Please confirm visa terms with your caseworker.)
Serco: An Inclusive Employer
Serco is committed to diversity, inclusion, and fair opportunity.
Key Initiatives:
👤 Employee Wellbeing Networks:
- SercoInspire (Gender support network)
- SercoEmbrace (Multicultural & Ethnic Inclusion)
- SercoUnlimited (Disabilities support)
- In@Serco (LGBTQ+Inclusion) 🚪 Reasonable Adjustments: Made available for applicants during recruitment and throughout employment. ⚖️ Confident in Disability: “Gold Inclusive Employer Standard” recognition. 📢 Ban the Box: Will not discriminate based on unspent criminal convictions and supports dialogue about eligibility.
For disability or equality queries, please contact: j&icareersUK@serco.com
Apply Before You Get Left Behind 👉 Please apply as soon as possible as short notice (when high demand occurs) applies.
[Apply Now](# Apply Now)
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