Prison Custody Officer (PCO)

Job Introduction

Great Prison Custody Officers (PCOs) are key to the smooth running of our prisons.  They have an important role to play in supporting residents with their rehabilitation and creating a positive and safe environment. 

What makes a great PCO?

We’re looking for people who will be a natural fit for the job. Your background and experience are not important. It’s the kind of person you are that matters. We can teach you the rest.

Are you responsible, reliable, and good at building trust with others?

Does the following sound like the kind of person you are?

• Is reliable, true to your word and can always be depended on to get things done
• Always treats others fairly and with respect and able to see past bad behaviour and start each day afresh
• Is quick to notice things, such as changes in people’s moods or when something isn’t quite right
• Is consistent – people know where they stand with you and you stick to the important rules (or if not, you have very good reasons not to)
• Can easily connect and talk to all sorts of people from different backgrounds on their level
• Is straightforward and ‘tells it as it is’
• Helps others out including helping people find ways to help themselves
• Keeps calm under pressure

In this role you will be required to write reports and use IT systems and software packages independently. Basic skills are required but training will be given as part of induction and ongoing development.

This is a role which requires a reasonable level of fitness we may ask people to undertake a fitness test as part of the process.

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Role Responsibility

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.

Flexible Working

Our prison is active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and this affords our employees a huge amount of opportunity to work flexibly. We welcome applications for flexible working from day one of employment, and can consider condensed hours, part time working, fixed rest days, fixed shifts and just about any other possibility you would like us to look at. Quite simply, tell us the hours you would like to work, and when, and we will see if we can make this work for you, and us. Our PCOs currently work on a “self-rostering” basis, enabling you to request the shifts you would like to work, and the time you would like to have away from work. We accommodate young families with childcare needs, people with other caring responsibilities, and as many other preferences as we can. Our belief is that if you can get great work life balance, you will be happier and perform better in this challenging role. Why not apply and talk to us about your needs? Let’s see what we can do!

The Ideal Candidate

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.

Recruitment process:

• Full completion of application form on Sodexo careers website by Sunday midnight - 19th March 2023. This includes a Situational Judgement Test (10 questions). If you require any reasonable adjustments when completing this part of the application process, please contact Recruitment.UKandROI@Sodexo.com and a member of the team will contact you.
• 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 17:30 - 19:30 on the 24th and 27th March 
• Those who pass the assessment centre will be invited to an interview, which covers the core competencies and behaviours required to be a PCO.
• Interviews will take place between 29th March and 2nd April, with appointments being booked whilst you are at the assessment centre.
• Start Date of training course: 22nd May  – 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

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.

Sodexo offers the best range of employee benefits on the market. From discounts that reduce the cost of the weekly shop, to exclusive deals on holidays and keeping active. Our award-winning employee benefits platform offers everything YOU need to make life that little bit better every day.

• Health and wellbeing incentives
• Training and development opportunities
• Reward and Recognition schemes
• Flexible working considered
• Volunteering days
• Cycle to work scheme
• Life Assurance
• Free parking on site

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, everyone can be natural, and 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 for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

Post holders will be subjected to an advanced DBS check, 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.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications.

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