Prison Custody Officer (PCO)
Job Introduction
Job Introduction
Sodexo are responsible for 5 prison sites across the UK and Scotland, we regularly run campaigns recruiting dedicated Prison Custody Officers to joining our growing teams. These roles will be based at our Manchester based site.
Great Prison Custody Officers (PCO’s) are the backbone to our business and play an important part in the smooth operation of our prisons. Every PCO will play a key part in our resident’s lives be it on their rehabilitation journey or providing an ear to listen to them and offer support during their time in prison.
Key attributes we look for aren’t all about qualifications and employment history as these things we can help develop but more about who you are and the morals you hold.
- 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 move forward and start again fresh?
These are all things that we look for and make the difference between a good and great PCO.
Recruitment process:
- Full completion of application form on Sodexo careers website by 5th June 2022.
- Assessment Centre: week commencing 6th June 2022
- The assessment Centre will be a half-day session and will assess candidates against a number of different role criteria. Full details will be sent once selected.
- Start Date of course: 18th July 2022
- You will be required to complete a mandatory 10-week training course. No annual leave can be taken during this period.
- The training will be Monday to Friday. Including 1 weekend and 1 night shift.
- 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.
The above dates are subject to change.
Please note: initial communication will be via email, please monitor your junk and spam folders to ensure you are aware of next stage requirements.
If you have been interviewed for this role within the last 12 months, your application will not be considered.
Role Responsibility
Role Responsibilities
The role is varied, you will be responsible for range of duties including supporting a team of PCO’s on the main wings, supervising residents at mealtimes, managing regular routines (locking and unlocking, recreation time) and supervising movement around the facilities – visiting hours, education and work placements.
Our residents come from all walks of life, some are serving long sentences including life, some have committed serious offences and others are vulnerable, we treat all the same with fairness and respect. On occasion you may experience some challenging situations or unwanted behaviour, full training prior to starting is offered to support with these situations.
The Ideal Candidate
Why become a PCO?
There are many reasons this role could be the role for you, no two days are the same, the role is varied and offers a range of duties. Watching someone leave the facilities, equipped and ready to thrive and enjoy life again is rewarding and to know you have played a key part in their journey is special, even small improvements to someone’s life makes a difference.
The role offers a secure, regular and stable role with consistent hours. We operate a shift pattern which allows regular downtime and flexibility to enjoy 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 centers 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 10 week training course and then in the job with the support of experienced colleagues.
As part of this role you will need to have a good level of English and Math’s, report writing is part and parcel 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, 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.
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.
Package Description
Starting salary £24,752.73 for the first year, rising to £25,419.74 after 1 years’ service. Further increases to £26,017.61 after 2 years’ service and £28,190.97 after 4 years’ service.
Additional benefits you can look forward to:
- All meals provided whilst on-site
- Free parking
- Free on-site gym or subsidised gym memberships
- 28 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays)
- BUPA Healthcare
- Perks at work employee discounts across hundreds of high street shops for fashion, holidays, electronics and gaming supplies and much more
Post holders will be subjected to an advanced DBS check, a prison security check (level 2) prior to being employed.
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.
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
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 5 years’ worth of references and request employment history details from the HMRC.
