Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO)

Job Introduction

An opportunity to make a real difference

Are you the sort of person who is great with people even in the most difficult of circumstances? Are you reliable and positive?  Do you see opportunities to help where others just see problems?   Are you a calm, fair-minded person? 

If this sounds like you, a role as a Prisoner Custody Officer could be a fulfilling one.

It’s not an easy environment and it doesn’t suit everyone. But for the right person it’s a great opportunity for a rewarding career with committed colleagues and a chance to make a positive impact and support some of the people who need it most.

The role of Prisoner Custody Officer is fundamental to changing people’s life for the better. Our philosophy at Sodexo Justice Services is that everyone can develop and make changes for the better.  We manage 5 prisons across the UK.  At HMP Addiewell we put a strong emphasis on supporting people to learn how to avoid reoffending. We focus on relevant skills training and employability and we work with all areas of the wider community to ensure prisoners have the best possible chance following release.

HMP Addiewell opened in 2008 and has become an integral part of the Scottish Prison Service estate earning much praise from (amongst others) HMCIP, for its innovation, use of technology, strong partnership working as well as its “can do” culture.  We are now recruiting for Prisoner Custody Officers (PCOs) who share our values and beliefs to work with prisoners in a secure environment focusing on meeting both their immediate and resettlement needs.

If you feel excited about the possibility of working with prisoners read on to find out more about the job and how to apply.

Role Responsibility

No two days are the same. Your main purpose will be to build trust with colleagues and prisoners to help achieve positive results. That includes making sure prisoners have access to purposeful activities. Some offenders have experience of drug and alcohol abuse, anger management problems, mental health problems, domestic violence and abuse. Some of them harm themselves and have the potential to harm others. It can be very tough at times, but it’s also highly satisfying when you see the real difference you can make.  On-going training, including a 9-week induction course, is provided to make sure you’re always fully supported to do a great job.

The Ideal Candidate

We encourage you to truly consider your application and would ask you to review the statements below..

•I am aware that I will be working a 40 hour shift pattern, including antisocial hours, with set rest breaks. The shifts could be early, late, at night, during public holidays (Christmas and New Year) or at the weekend. I know I need to have considered an alternative mode of transport to get to work, if there are unforeseen circumstances; such as snow, my car breaks down or there is no public transport.

•I can work in a highly secure environment, wearing a uniform, under lock and key, without my mobile phone for a 12 hour shift.

•I understand that a Prisoner Custody Officer has to have a reasonable level of fitness; that the role at times may be physical and I will need to maintain a continuous level of fitness. This will be tested both during assessment, my induction training and will be refreshed yearly.

•Albeit prisons usually are calm and controlled I have considered that I may face a number of unpredictable and volatile scenarios involving often vulnerable people dealing with a variety of  issues including substance misuse and self-harm.

•I have read and empathise with the values of SJS and I understand that as a PCO my role is fundamental in changing people’s lives, I will treat all those I come into contact with, with dignity, provide a safe environment and facilitate opportunity for the resettlement of the prisoners in my care.

•I can demonstrate that I have the interpersonal and communication skills to work with a number of people from diverse backgrounds and experiences and I will on occasion be required to deal with confrontation in a professional and appropriate manner. Yes / No

•I realise my role is not to prejudge prisoners based on the crimes that have been committed or to punish further those that are in my care.

•I understand that when I start my role I will be on a mandatory Induction Training course, where I will not be given permission for time off and any module’s I may miss, could impact on whether I am able to pass the course.

•I understand that working within a prison I will need to undertake certain security checks, which will check my background and any spent or live criminal convictions.  I also understand that some convictions, whether spent or live, could have an impact on my future employment with Sodexo, these will all need to be disclosed straight away and also during my employment.

Package Description

The basic salary is £17,514 rising to £20,742 after 9 months successful probation. We give excellent benefits including free meals and parking, group discount schemes, 28 days holiday and pension.  

The working pattern is 40 hour shifts pattern, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Recruitment process:

•Full completion of application form on Sodexo careers website by 26th March 2017. (You must have completed the online security questionnaire and have a CV uploaded or your application will automatically be rejected)

•Psychometric testing will be emailed to you on 31 March 2017.

•Fitness test: 18 April 2017 (1 day only so candidates must be available on this date).

•Competency based interview: week commencing 24 April 2017.

•Start Date of course: 5 June 2017 (you must not have any holidays booked for the first 9 weeks due to the training course you must complete.)

Please note: initial communication will be via email, please monitor your junk and spam folders to ensure you are aware of next stage requirements.

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.

Please note all roles within Sodexo Justice are subject to security and recruitment checks which may include a Social Media Check. You will also be asked to provide 3 years’ worth of references and request employment history details from the HMRC.