Prison Custody Officer

Job Introduction
**Package Description**
Starting salary of £26,734.13 per annum. Subject to meeting the required criteria there are regular increments reaching £29,873.10 per annum after four years.

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer:
**- Flexible and dynamic work environment**
**- Competitive compensation**
**- Access to ongoing training and development programs**
**- Countless opportunities to grow within the company**
**- Full training and full protective uniform supplied**

**Job Introduction**
As a Prison Custody Officer with Sodexo, you are also a watchful eye, and an overseer of safety. Working at HMP Northumberland, you play an important role in supporting co-workers, supervising residents, and ensuring the smooth operation of the prison. You are respectful and treat residents with fairness to make a positive impact in their daily lives. Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.

What you’ll do:

- Support a team of other Prison Custody Officers and work as a collaborative unit
- Supervise residents at mealtimes and manage regular routines (locking and unlocking, recreation time)
- Oversee movement around the facilities - visiting hours, education, and work placements
- Play a key part in resident’s rehabilitation journey or offer support during their time in prison
- Treat all residents with fairness and respect

Recruitment process:

- An assessment centre, which includes the opportunity of a tour of HMP Northumberland, so you can get a feel for the environment you will be working in. The assessment centre also includes the chance to meet with some of our current PCOs, and also with those who will support you as you learn the role and complete the professional programme. It’s also a great chance to ask questions and learn more about the role and whether it is the right choice for you. You will need to bring evidence of your right to work in the UK to this assessment centre.
- ** Assessment centres will take place from **17:00 - 20:00 on the 19th, 21st, 26th and 28th June 2023.
- ** Start Date of training course**:11th September 2023 - there are 10 weeks of training from this date, which you must be available for.
- Requirement to undertake security vetting process as soon as verbal offer made, and for vetting to be in place before the course starts. Any delays to vetting will result in you being offered a place on a later course.

**Main Responsibilities**

**What’s the job like?**You will be working on a wing with a team of other PCOs responsible for prisoners. Your role will involve everything from managing the regular prison routines, (locking & unlocking, supervising meals and recreation time, to escorting people to prison work and education). You’ll need to deal with the more challenging aspects of prison life such as abusive and violent behaviour. You’ll be working with all sorts of prisoners including those on long sentences, people convicted of serious crime and vulnerable individuals.

**Why be a PCO?**People love this career for many reasons. Some enjoy the variety and challenge of working with very different people and dealing with all sorts of issues. Others get a buzz from seeing prisoners improve and progress (however small the changes). Many PCOs appreciate the security and stability of the regular work routines. Others appreciate shift patterns, which allow them flexibility to carry out their responsibilities outside of work.
- Experience not required but strong morals is a must
- Desire to treat people fairly and with respect
- Able to move forward and start fresh after a challenging situation (includes full training prior to starting)

Our great PCOs come to us with all kinds of work and life experience. Some have worked in retail, healthcare, call centres and as taxi drivers. Others have previously worked in the military, police and security services. The work you’ve done before doesn't matter. What matters is that you’re ‘made of the right stuff’ - the rest you will learn during our intensive 10-week training course and then on the job with the support of experienced colleagues.
- About Sodexo_At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.