Bristol Crown and Magistrates Court, BS1
1 DA Permanent roles offering job stability
&
securityWorking as a Prisoner Custody Officer
(PCO) in Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS) is more than just
a role—it’s an opportunity to be part of a professional team that
plays a vital role in the justice system, ensuring safety and
security every day. We also
offer: Base Salary of
£23,402 (35hrs pw). We
believe in recognising your contributions and growth, so as well as
continuous training & development opportunities, every year,
you will be eligible for a base salary increment, allowing you to
see tangible progress in your earnings (year 2 - £23,984 / year 3 -
£24,436 / year 4 - £24,890) Pension (matched up to 6%), life insurance; 20 days
annual leave (rising to 25 after 7 years’ service) plus Bank
Holidays. A range of
benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family
such as Employee Assistance Programme, MIND, Simply Health Care and
Dental Plans and more Access to a range of discounts and exclusive deals
such as Merlin Attractions, Mobile Phone discounts, Cinema
discounts, Leisure, Retail and Hospitality discounts and
moreA supportive team
& culture where you’ll get the chance to make a positive
difference in a company passionate about diversity and
inclusion.We are operational 24/6 and you’ll cover
various early and late shifts, 35hrs pw. Flexibility is key as due
to the nature of role there are a range of different working
arrangements & additional hours. There will be days when your
finishing time could be unpredictable, however, we operate a rota
basis (provided 12 weeks in advance) that allows you the
flexibility to enjoy meaningful time off to do the things you enjoy
& love. About the
Role:As a PCO at our court, you’ll work as part of a team to
provide safe and secure escorting and custody services to
detainees, focusing on maintaining their physical and mental
wellbeing. During court proceedings, you’ll be responsible for
every aspect of detainee management until it’s time for them to
return to custody or be released. Key duties
include: Escorting defendants to and from courtrooms, cells,
and other areas within the court, including accompanying them to
the toilet to ensure security and safety. This may involve being
handcuffed to the detainee. Monitoring and supervising detainees while they are in
the docks during court sessions, ensuring they remain secure and do
not pose a risk to themselves or
others. Being privy to
sensitive and confidential information discussed during court
proceedings, including testimonies, legal arguments etc.
Maintaining discretion and confidentiality is paramount.
Being prepared to listen to harrowing and distressing testimonies
and evidence. It is crucial to maintain professionalism and provide
support to detainees while managing your own emotional
wellbeing. Ensuring that
detainees have access to food and drink throughout the day,
catering to any dietary requirements or
restrictions. Monitoring the mental and physical health of
detainees, providing support and reporting any concerns to the
appropriate authorities. Ensuring the safety and security of the court
environment, including responding to any incidents or emergencies
that may arise. Conducting thorough searches of property and
individuals to prevent contraband from entering secure
areas. Completing
necessary paperwork and data entry accurately, including logging
detainee movements, incidents, and any other relevant
information.Working closely
with other court staff, law enforcement, and legal professionals to
ensure smooth and secure court
operations.What you need to do the
job!Our current PCO’s come to us with different work &
life experiences, what you’ve done before doesn’t matter, what
matters is that you’re committed to making a difference to the
lives of others – the rest you will learn during your 5 1/2-weeks
training course and through our experienced colleagues.
Ideally, you’ll have a current valid driver's license, be
reasonably fit and have good written and verbal communications
skills, using those skills to manage and control all situations.
This role requires a high level of responsibility, vigilance, and
the ability to handle challenging situations with professionalism
and care. You will be an integral part of the judicial process,
ensuring that justice is administered safely and securely. Our
roles would suit those who have a particular interest in
criminology or psychology.
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. All staff have a responsibility to
safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable young
adults. The post holder must undertake the appropriate level of
training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and
work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.
This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker
visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office rules, as it does not
meet the required salary or skill level criteria. Whilst we
encourage applications to other roles, candidates who already have
a valid right to work in the UK through other immigration routes or
permissions must meet the below minimum eligibility
criteria: Have
at least two years remaining on your current
visaHave
lived in the UK for at least one year, as vetting process 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. .
#pecsAbout
SercoAt Serco, not only is the nature of the work
we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from
caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services.
We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential
public services around the world 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. By joining Serco you will
have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks –
Serco Inspire (Gender), Serco Embrace (Multicultural), Serco Unlimited
(Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee
Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity,
inclusion and belonging.ApplyPlease click on the apply button
to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large
volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we
sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly
to avoid disappointment. At Serco, we see people first and
foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to
building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the
needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at
interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly
encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open
to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate
a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are
proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder 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. For help with your
application please contact
j&icareers UK@serco.com.At Serco we support fair access
to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through
the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of
the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our
recruitment team directly on j&icareers UK@serco.com to
discuss.