Youth Escort Custody Driver

**Base Location**: Bedford Vehicle Base, MK41 0HT
Permanent roles offering job stability & security
Working as a Youth Escort Custody Officer (ECO) 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:
Salary of £29,744 (40hrs pw). Training salary is £26,026 (35hrs pw).
**Annual salary increments**: Year 2 - £30,476, Year 3 - £31,154, Year 4 - £31,865.
A potential first-year income up to £35,344 with overtime (based on an average of 8 hrs overtime pw).
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 passionate about diversity and inclusion.
We are operational 24/6, and you’ll be expected to cover various early and late shifts, with a minimum of 40 hours per week.
Flexibility is absolutely essential, as the nature of the role involves a wide range of different working arrangements and additional hours. There will be days when your finishing time is unpredictable, and you may need to work beyond your scheduled hours to meet the demands of the job.
We operate on a rota basis, which is provided 12 weeks in advance, allowing you to plan ahead. This system ensures that, despite the long and often unpredictable hours, you will have the flexibility to enjoy meaningful time off to do the things you love.
**About the Role**:
As an ECO at our base, you'll be part of a dedicated crew providing safe and secure court transportation and custody services for children and young people. Your role involves collecting them from youth offender institutions or police stations and transporting them to courts, ensuring their physical and mental well-being throughout the journey. Once at court, you'll be responsible for their care until they return to custody or are released. This includes searching property and people, managing anxieties, preventing escape and harm, providing food and drink, and completing necessary paperwork.
**Key responsibilities**:
Start your day at the vehicle depot, attend briefing sessions, and receive route details and detainee information.
Conduct risk assessments, check the vehicle for necessary equipment, and ensure the appropriate vehicle is used for transport.
Contact secure establishments to confirm arrival times and gather any last-minute information.
Engage with young detainees during transport using conversation, use items from the activity bag keep them calm and informed.
Provide court staff with detainee information and behaviour details and supervise and support young detainees at court.
Return detainees to their establishments or hand them over to another crew, and complete vehicle checks and necessary paperwork.
Manage the emotional demands of supporting vulnerable young people, always ensuring their well-being.
What you need to do the job
Our ECOs come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. What matters most is your commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. You'll receive comprehensive training during a 5 1/2-week course and ongoing support from experienced colleagues. Requirements:
Hold a current driver's licence (B/B1).
Be reasonably fit to handle the physical demands of the role.
Have strong written and verbal communication skills to manage and control various situations effectively.
A genuine interest in working with children and young people.
Capability 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.
Skilled in de-escalating conflicts and managing challenging behaviour effectively.
High ethical standards and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
Sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds and needs of detainees, ensuring respectful and fair treatment.
**Try our careers assistant tool to find out more**: Careers Assistant
**Our Assessment Process**:
Briefing call to assess eligibility
- Online Assessment
- Competency based Virtual Interview
- short role-play and written exercise.
**Additional Information**:
Have at least two years remaining on your current visa
Have 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 Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do import