Overview
Permanent Prisoner Custody Officer roles at Serco based at Watton Vehicle Base, offering job stability and security.
Role: Working as a Prisoner Escort Custody Driver (PCO) in Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS). This is more than a role—it’s an opportunity to be part of a professional team that protects safety and security within the justice system. In addition to a rewarding career, we offer:
* Salary of £26,745 (40hrs pw). Training salary is £23,402 (35hrs pw).
* Annual salary increments: Year 2 - £27,411; Year 3 - £27,927; Year 4 - £28,446.
* Additional driving allowance for Category B1/C1 Licences:
o B1 = £600 per year
o C1 = £2,400 per year. (C1 Licence holders must drive 6 cell vehicles – subject to further terms).
* A potential first-year income between £32,345 and £34,145 (depending on licence type and overtime, based on current average of 8 hours overtime per week).
* Pension (matched up to 6%), life insurance, 20 days annual leave (rising to 25 after 7 years) plus Bank Holidays.
* Discounts on Merlin Attractions, mobile phones, cinema, leisure, retail, and hospitality.
* Health and wellbeing support: Employee Assistance Programme, MIND, Simply Health Care, and Dental Plans.
* A supportive team and culture committed to diversity and inclusion.
We operate 24/6 and you’ll be expected to cover various early and late shifts, minimum 40 hours per week. Flexibility is essential due to a range of working arrangements and potential extra hours. A rota is provided 12 weeks in advance to help you plan ahead, enabling meaningful time off despite long and sometimes unpredictable hours.
About the Role
As a PCO at our base, you’ll work as part of a crew to provide safe and secure court transportation and custody services. You’ll collect adult male and female detainees between prisons, police stations and courts, always ensuring their well-being. Depending on operational requirements, you may be required to remain at court, where you’ll be responsible for the care of the detainee until they return to custody or are released. Duties include accompanying defendants in courtrooms and cells, searching property and people, ensuring food and drink are available, and completing paperwork and data entry.
Key Responsibilities
* Start the day early, attend briefings to receive assignments, including details on prisoners, pick-up and drop-off locations, and specific risks.
* Check handheld devices for schedules and prisoner information. Complete vehicle checks.
* Collect prisoners from various locations, verify paperwork and property, search prisoners, and load them onto the vehicle.
* Monitor prisoners’ welfare during transport, conduct cell checks, and provide water if needed. Arrange comfort stops for long journeys.
* Transport prisoners to courts and handle inter-prison transfers for reasons such as bed space management or educational needs.
* Return to the vehicle base, perform end-of-use checks, report defects, and hand in documentation.
* Work beyond contracted hours due to job demands, sometimes exceeding 50 hours a week. Stay with prisoners admitted to hospitals and handle emergency transfers during incidents like prison riots.
What you need to do the job
Required Skills
* Ability to understand and respond to the emotional needs of detainees.
* Ability to handle stressful and emotionally demanding situations with a calm and composed demeanour.
* Ability to think on your feet and make quick, effective decisions in challenging situations.
* Strong ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the safety and well-being of detainees.
* Meticulous in following protocols, conducting searches, and completing paperwork accurately.
* Adequate physical fitness to perform duties that may involve restraining detainees and handling long hours.
* Skilled in de-escalating conflicts and managing challenging behaviour effectively.
* High ethical standards and a commitment to always maintaining confidentiality and professionalism. Sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds and needs of detainees, ensuring respectful and fair treatment.
Our Assessment Process
Briefing call to assess eligibility • Competency-based Virtual Interview • short role-play and written exercise.
Additional Information
All roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and all offers of employment are subject to Ministry of Justice Enhanced Level 2 checks with Enhanced DBS (Adult & Child Barring) and satisfactory employment references.
Eligibility
This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office rules. Candidates must meet the minimum eligibility criteria below and have a valid right to work in the UK. Minimum criteria:
* Have at least two years remaining on your current visa.
* Have lived in the UK for at least one year, as vetting requires a counter-signatory from a recognised professional who has known you for that duration.
For general right-to-work guidance, please visit the UK Home Office website.
About Serco
At Serco, the work is important and everyone has an important role to play. We are a team of 50,000 responsible for delivering essential public services worldwide 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. Serco supports diverse and inclusive work environment through networks and inclusion initiatives.
Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. We sometimes adjust closing dates depending on volume. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation and will make reasonable adjustments at interview and employment for candidates. We are disability confident leaders and gold standard inclusive employer. If helpful, contact j&icareersUK@serco.com for assistance.
Note: We support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the 'Ban the Box' pledge. Please contact our recruitment team to discuss.
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