Prison Custody Officer (PCO) - HMP Lowdham Grange

Job Introduction

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day 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. 

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:

• Free parking
• Access to gym facilities on site
• 28 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Perks at work employee discounts across hundreds of high street shops for fashion, holidays, electronics and gaming supplies and much more
• Pension
• Free Uniform
• Blue Light card
• Access to ongoing training and development programs 
• Full and Part-time positions
• Full training provided you will complete a in depth 8-week training course
• Sodexo funds your membership of the BUPA healthcare cash plan. It gives you money back towards some everyday healthcare expenses such as prescription charges, dental and optical costs. 

Sodexo are responsible for 6 prison sites across the UK and Scotland and HMP Lowdham Grange is our newest prison that we have just added to our portfolio! The prison is currently operated by Serco, and we will be taking over the contract on the 16th February.

Sodexo’s vision for HMP Lowdham Grange is to develop a safe, stable, and progressive environment with modern facilities dedicated to reducing re-offending and enabling individuals to fulfil their potential. Every aspect of the prison is designed to help prisoners make meaningful progress in their sentence and personal development goals within a surrounding culture of rehabilitation. Does this sound like something you’d like to be part of?

Great Prison Custody Officers (PCOs) are the backbone of our business and play an important part in the smooth operation of our prisons. Every PCO will play a key part in prisoners’ lives, offering them support and encouraging them to change their lives for the better.

Key attributes we look for aren’t all about qualifications and employment history but more about who you are and the values you live by.

• Are you a dedicated person who is looking for a rewarding career?
• Are you reliable and quick to notice things?
• Do you treat people fairly and with respect?
• If you experience a challenging situation, are you able to rise to it?

These are all things that we look for and make the difference between a good and great PCO.

Role Responsibility

The role is varied, and you will be responsible for range of duties including working with a team of PCOs on the main wings, undertaking regular routines such as roll checks, supervising movement around the prison for visits, education and work activities, and supervising mealtimes and recreation periods. Central to this is how you communicate with prisoners during such duties, and we are looking for people who can form supportive and appropriate relationships with prisoners and steer them towards positive change.

The prisoners come from all walks of life, some are serving long sentences including life, some have committed serious offences and others are vulnerable, but we treat all of them with fairness and respect. On occasion you may experience some challenging situations or unwanted behaviour, but full training is provided prior to commencing your role.

The Ideal Candidate

There are many reasons this could be the role for you. No two days are the same and the job offers rewarding experiences every day. Watching someone leave the prison, equipped and ready for a constructive future is rewarding and to know you have played a key part in their journey offers real job satisfaction. Even small improvements each day by the prisoners you are supporting make a lasting difference over time.

The role is secure, regular and stable, and we operate a shift pattern which allows for flexibility to enjoy meaningful amounts of time off with your family and friends.

What we need from you

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 are ex-military, police and security services personnel. 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 8 week training course and then in the job with the support of experienced colleagues.

You will need to have a reasonable level of English and Maths, as report writing and numerical ability is part of the role.

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome and can be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications from candidates from under-represented backgrounds.

Recruitment process:

• Full completion of application form on Sodexo careers website
• Assessment Centre - this will be a half-day session and will assess candidates against a number of different role criteria; it will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions and get a clear understanding of the position. Full details will be sent to you prior to attending.
• Start Date of course: Early March 2023.
  • You will be required to complete a mandatory 8-week training course. No annual leave can be taken during this period.

Please note this role is subject to security and recruitment checks which may include a Social Media Check. You will also be asked to provide 5 years’ worth of references and request employment history details from the HMRC.

Post holders will be subjected to an advanced DBS check, and a prison security check (level 2) prior to being employed.

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

Package Description

Starting salary £26,180 (pro rata) with annual increments increasing over initial 5years service

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs around 30,000 people, and partners with clients in many sectors across business and industry; schools and universities; sports and leisure; energy and resources; government and agencies; healthcare; justice and defence.

Sodexo’s connected; people-centric approach brings together a diverse range of expertise. The breadth of services it offers ranges from food and hospitality; cleaning; reception; concierge (Circles); security; property management and technical services through to data driven workplace strategy and design (Wx); employee engagement and recognition services (Sodexo Engage) and personal home services through Prestige Nursing + Care and the Good Care Group.

Vital Spaces is Sodexo’s value proposition that puts people at the heart of everything we do, bringing together services and solutions and focusing on the productivity and wellbeing of people wherever they are.

Sodexo is committed to being an inclusive employer; we welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

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