Join Our Team as a Detention Custody Officer
Location:
Gatwick Immigration Removal Centre, RH6 0PQ Type:
Full-Time, Permanent Salary:
£29,563 rising to £32,653 Are you compassionate and resilient?
If you’re looking for secure and meaningful work, this is your chance! As a Detention Custody Officer (DCO) at Gatwick Immigration Removal Centre, you’ll play a vital role in supporting individuals during one of the most challenging times in their lives. What You’ll Do
In this hands-on role, you’ll maintain a safe and secure environment while treating everyone with dignity and respect. You’ll interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds, some awaiting asylum decisions and others who have completed prison sentences. Your calm, professional, and empathetic approach will be essential in helping those who may be confused, frightened, or distressed. Hours and Pay
40 hours per week on average A mix of day and night shifts (6-12 hours each) Structured rota system for fair distribution Starting salary of £29,563, increasing to £32,653 after 6 months Important Note on Location:
Public transport links are limited, so ideally, you should live within 30 miles of the Centre. We offer a free minibus service from Gatwick Airport (Atlantic House) for employees using public transport. What We Offer
Training that sets you up for success:
You’ll complete a comprehensive 7-week training program (fully paid) covering everything from conflict resolution to cultural awareness, equipping you with the confidence and skills to handle any situation. Room to Grow:
This role can be a stepping stone to leadership positions or specialist roles within Serco. We’re committed to helping you develop your career long-term. Benefits Worth Having
224 hours of annual leave (including bank holidays) Pension contributions matched up to 6% Free parking on site Paid breaks during night shifts Subsidised meals (plus one free meal per day) Full uniform provided Employee discounts through Serco Benefits and Blue Light Card What We're Looking For
You don’t need previous experience in this field, but you do need: Strong communication skills and emotional intelligence The ability to stay calm under pressure Respect for people from all backgrounds and cultures Physical and mental resilience A genuine desire to help people in difficult circumstances Experience working with vulnerable groups or in multicultural environments is valuable but not essential. Our Application Process
Step 1:
Complete your online application Step 2:
Virtual interview (1 hour via Microsoft Teams) if shortlisted Step 3:
Assessment day including group exercises, fitness test, and site tour Step 4:
7-week training course (full attendance required) Checks and Vetting
This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office rules. Candidates must meet the following minimum eligibility criteria: Hold indefinite leave to remain Have lived in the UK for at least three years This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and all offers of employment are subject to security clearance checks and approval by the Home Office. You will need to obtain Home Office CTC & Enhanced DBS with adult and child barring vetting clearances (which require 5 years of checkable history). Ready to make a real difference? This work isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. You’ll be part of a team that believes everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, regardless of their circumstances. Apply now to start your journey with Serco! About Serco
At Serco, the work we do is important, and everyone plays a vital role—from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people delivering essential public services worldwide in areas like defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare, and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to improving public services for the benefit of everyone. By joining Serco, you’ll have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks, including SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability), and
(LGBT & Networks). These networks are led by colleagues 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, and when that happens, we may bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. At Serco, we prioritize performance and potential, and we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization that supports the needs of all. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working, operating a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holders of the Gold 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. At Serco, we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge. Please discuss any concerns directly with our recruitment team.