Serco Plc
Youth Escort & Custody Driver
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Youth Escort Custody Officer (ECO) – Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS)
Location: Bedford Vehicle Base, MK44 1FD
About the Role
Join us as a Youth Escort Custody Officer (ECO) in Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS), where you’ll play a critical role in ensuring the safety and security of the justice system. Responsibilities include escorting children and young people from secure settings to court and back, focusing on welfare, security, and operational compliance.
Salary & Opportunities
Initial & Progression Pay
- Training Salary: £27,220 per year (35 hours per week)
- Graduated Base Salary (post-training): £31,108 per year, progressing as follows:
- Year 1: £31,108 (40 hours per week, rising to £32,204 from 1st September 2026)
- Year 2: £32,988
- Year 3: £33,723
- Year 4: £34,482
With average overtime (~8 hours per week), potential first-year earnings reach £37,804.
Additional Benefits
- £600 annual driving allowance (terms apply)
- 24/7 operational shifts with proactive scheduling (rota provided 12 weeks in advance)
- Eligibility for part-time work, though this must be full working days.
Duties & Responsibilities
As an ECO, your core responsibilities include:
- Attending briefings to receive route and detainee details
- Conducting risk assessments and vehicle checks
- Liaising with secure establishments about movement confirmations
- Engaging and supporting young people safely during custody
- Sharing information with court staff and supervising detainees
- Returning or handing over detainees, with paperwork completion
- Managing behaviour, risk, and vulnerable individuals under pressure
Requirements
Our Youth Escort Custody Officers need reliability, trustworthiness, and compassion above all else. Key requirements:
- Full UK driving licence (Category B/B1) – essential
- Fitness for the physical demands of the role
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
- Ability to stay calm and make decisions under pressure
- Conflict resolution skills (de-escalation)
- Teamwork and process adherence
- Professionalism and discretion with safeguarding duties
- Genuine interest in working with children and young people
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
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.
Training & Development
- 5½-week structured, paid training programme
- Ongoing mentorship from experienced colleagues
- Access to internal courses, qualifications, and internal progression opportunities
- Continual skill development throughout your career
Benefits
- Holidays: 20 days (increasing to 25 days after 7 years), plus bank holiday proportional equity
- Pension: Employee-contributory (up to 6% matched by Serco)
- Health & Wellbeing:
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) + mental health support with MIND
- Simply Health cash/dental plans
- Discounts at Serco-run gyms, financial savings schemes, wellness resources
- Discounts: Access to savings, leisure, retail, hospitality, technology, and travel incentives
Exclusive opportunities through Serco’s:
- SercoInspire (gender equality)
- SercoEmbrace (multicultural inclusion)
- SercoUnlimited (disability-friendly networks)
- In@Serco (LGBTQ+ support)
Recruitment Process
- Online Application: Eligibility questions + assessments
- Virtual Assessment: Competency-based interview, two roleplays, and a written exercise
- Clearance Phase:
- Right-to-work checks
- Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance
- Occupational health evaluations
- Satisfactory employment references
- Formal Offer and Confirmation of training start date
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
About Serco
Serco delivers essential public services worldwide in defence, transport, justice, healthcare, and immigration. With 50,000+ colleagues, we innovate to improve justice, safeguarding, and efficiency. Joining provides:
- Access to Global Employee Networks (gender, multicultural, disability, LGBTQ+ support)
- A diverse, inclusive workplace, proudly holding the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard
- Commitment to fairness: "Ban the Box" policy for candidates with unspent convictions
FAQs (Key Considerations)
- Visa/restrictions: Not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Must have the right to work in the UK, with a valid visa (minimum two years’ remaining and one year UK residency).
- Safeguarding policy: Mandatory training across all recruits.
- Security checks: Role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and adheres to random drug and alcohol testing.
Apply Now Serco values performance and potential. Act promptly – closing dates may advance due to high application volumes.
For support with your application: Email: j&icareersUK@serco.com Serco guarantees reasonable interview adjustments and encourages applications from diverse backgrounds.
Let’s Impact a Better Future Together
Apply Today [Apply Link]
View this role with hashtags: #pecs, #youthescortcustodyofficer.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location