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
offer:Base
Salary of £23,402.00 (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.
#PECS About
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 –
SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited
(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&icareersUK@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&icareersUK@serco.com to
discuss.