Prison Officer

 

Main characteristics

Location

Bury, Somerset

Company

HM Prison & Probation Services

Job summary

Job DescriptionOne career, many roles Role model, negotiator, referee, educator, influencer, life changer
Find out if this opportunity is a good fit by reading all of the information that follows below.
- as a prison officer, no two days are the same.
You will work with people from all kinds of backgrounds to create a safe and secure prison environment.
You will support adult offenders with rehabilitation while protecting the public too.
You will play a leading role in offenders' lives, meeting regularly with a small caseload of 5-6 offenders.
You will manage their development, from learning new skills to participation in education programmes, so there is a better chance they won't reoffend on release.
You will also have the opportunity to grow your career, specialising in different areas such as negotiation, supporting prisoners at risk and resolving incidents.
It can be a tough job, but in return you will receive great pay, training, benefits and have the support of a strong team.
Read more about prison officer careers >>
- How to apply The online application begins with important details such as your National Insurance number and right to work in the UK.
You will then be invited to complete stage 1 of the online tests, to see if you have the basic judgement and numerical skills expected of a prison officer.
If you are successful, we will invite you to stage 2 of the online tests, to see if you have the right natural strengths and preferences to become a prison officer.
The Assessment & Recruitment Centre (ARC) If you pass the online tests, we will invite you to the Assessment & Recruitment Centre (ARC).
We test to see if you have the abilities, behaviours, strengths and fitness to be a prison officer.
Your ARC may either be face-to-face or virtual.
If your ARC is face to face, we also carry out an eyesight test, hearing test and basic health screening, including blood pressure check.
If your ARC is virtual you will be invited to carry these out at a later date Existing prison officers are not eligible to apply for this campaign Find out about the application process >>
- Job details Eligibility To be a prison officer you must: Be at least 18 years old Have the right to work in the UK (If you are not a UK or EU citizen, but you have approx.
30 months or more leave to remain in the UK entitlement at the point of application you may still apply) Be reasonably fit and have good eyesight Be able to speak with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh .
Essential skills You don't need qualifications to become a prison officer.
Personal qualities are more important.
You need to show: Good communication and influencing skills Commitment to quality Effective decision-making Care and understanding Pay The initial training is 37 hours a week.
After training, you can choose to work 37, 39 or 41 hours a week.
Your annual salary will reflect your weekly hours.
37 hours a week = £27,293 a year 39 hours a week = £28,529 a year 41 hours a week = £29,765 a year All salary figures quoted include any additional allowances.
The standard working week of a prison officer is based on a 39 hours per week shift pattern.
You may also have opportunities to work additional paid hours.
Benefits 25 days of annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years' service) Paid time off for public holidays and 1 extra privilege day Civil Service pension of up to 20% of your salary Cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits Training and career progression Launching in 2021
- Level 3 Custody & Detention Officer Apprenticeship.
New Prison Officer's starting in 2021 will be enrolled on our new purpose-built apprenticeship.
This new apprenticeship has been developed to replace the current Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT) and offer a more supportive and varied learning experience.
If you are successful in being offered a prison officer position in 2021 you will be enrolled on to this professional apprenticeship.
Prison officers starting this year will complete the same training as an apprentice with dedicated support and work towards obtaining a Professional Vocational Diploma in Custodial Care.
Full details of the apprenticeship scheme and how it will enhance your experience as a prison officer can be found here
- Job offers: 'merit' vacancy This is a 'merit' job vacancy.
If you are successful at the Assessment & Recruitment Centre (ARC), you will be added to a merit list based on your score.
When all applicants have completed the assessment centre, the prison will make job offers to those with the highest scores first when positions become available.
You can stay on the merit list for 12 months.
After this, you'll need to apply again.
Your successful pass from assessment day will be valid for 12 months if you want to apply for vacancies at other prisons.
Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in t