Prisoner Custody Officer

Prisoner Custody Officer_
- Ipswich_
- Full Time, Permanent, 35 Hours_
- £20,835.00_

**Could you take someone from confusion to clarity?**

**Could you take them from confrontational to calm?**

**Could you take somebody from secluded to supported?**

**Do you want to make a difference every day?**
- If so, then a Prisoner Custody Officer position could be the role for you_

**What we offer**
- £20,835.00 per annum
- Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Serco discounts which include cinema, merlin entertainment and online shopping discounts, cycle to work scheme and discounts on mobile phone plans and leisure centre memberships.
- A safe and supportive culture
- The chance to make a positive difference to the prison and court systems
- A company passionate about diversity and inclusion

It’s not easy being trusted with the safety and security of someone about to go to court - but it is rewarding. For the person being detained it can be one of the most stressful situations they will ever encounter, but for you, it’s an everyday part of your job.

As a Prisoner Custody Officer your role is to provide Court transportation services, collecting detained persons from prisons or police stations and transporting them safely and securely to courts for trial. Once there, you’re responsible for every aspect of their care until it’s time for them to return to custody or to be released. This will include:

- Accompanying defendants in court
- Searching property or people
- Ensuring food and drink is available
- Completing paperwork and entering core data on to our computer systems

Throughout the day you’ll make sure you keep the custody in the right frame of mind, using a respectful manner and approach. You won’t be doing this alone though. As well as the support of our great team, you’ll also receive a five-week Initial Training Course that will provide you with all the skills you’ll need to be an influential Prisoner Custody Officer.

This role will require you to work 35 hours per week covering daytime shifts Monday
- Saturday. You must be willing to be flexible with your hours as there may be occasions when finish times are unpredictable.

**What you need to do the job**

Our officers come from very diverse backgrounds but what they will have in common is they are totally trustworthy and utterly impartial. They all have strength of character and strong communication skills. They are patient, honest and fully committed. This role will require you to be vigilant with good observations skills and the ability to follow processes and procedures to the letter. But most of all you will have a strong team ethic.

You’ll need to possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to pass a Level 2 Key Skills English and Maths (GCSE, NVQ or equivalent) test, which forms part of the assessment process.

Due to the nature of this role it is advantageous for you to hold a Full UK Driving Licence. If you work in one of our Vehicle Bases it is essential for you to hold a license and C1 and D1 licence holders could attract an additional allowance.

**Why Serco**
- Meaningful and vital work_: By keeping your custodies in the right frame of mind you ensure the courts run on time and in a secure way. And we do it in the right way, with over 15,000 prisoner movements a month we only have to use force 0.24% of the time
- A world of opportunity_: Serco's contract covers 104 courts and 16 vehicle bases and our PCOs can progress into Court Custody Management and Base Ops Management
- Great people_: Our bases are tight knit and you’ll find yourself working with a variety of highly supportive and experienced people, where no two days are the same. You’ll also make a difference to your custodies at a critical time in their lives.

**About Serco**

At 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.

**Apply**

We’re a Disability Confident employer and are committed to equal opportunities. If you have any additional queries, requirements or you need more time to apply, then please contact our recruitment team directly on
0345 010 4000
. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.