At a Glance
- Tasks: Support daily prison operations, from security checks to managing deliveries and monitoring CCTV.
- Company: Join His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, making a real impact in public safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension scheme, retail discounts, and paid apprenticeship opportunities.
- Why this job: This unique role offers hands-on experience and a pathway to advance your career in corrections.
- Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed; just bring good communication skills and a calm demeanor.
- Other info: Flexible shifts including weekends and nights; great training and progression opportunities await!
The predicted salary is between 27840 - 39000 £ per year.
Operational Support Grade
HMP Wealstun
£27,840
His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.
An extraordinary job. Done by someone like you.
As an Operational Support Grade, you will play a key part in supporting the day-to-day running of a busy prison You will be part of a supportive team doing all sorts of things – from security and searches at the gate, to managing deliveries, supervising visitors, and monitoring phone calls and CCTV. It’s a varied and active job involving tasks which combine some desk duties with more physical tasks such as lifting, carrying and walking to escort vehicles across the prison grounds .
Someone like you
You don’t need any qualifications to do this job, but if you are a good communicator and can keep calm under pressure, this fast-paced role could be the start of a successful career for you.
Helping to keep a prison running smoothly and safely you will have good judgement and common sense, and, above all, be a great team player.
As an OSG, you will work a variety of shifts, including weekend and night shifts, to keep things running.
An extraordinary job
In this unique career, you’ll have the opportunity to protect the public and make an impact on lives by supporting the important work happening daily in our prisons.
Unlike our prison officers, your contact with prisoners is limited, although depending on the particular prison you may interact with prisoners occasionally.
The OSG role will give you significant knowledge and experience of how a prison operates. It can provide opportunities to move into other prison jobs, including opportunities to apply for the OSG to Prison Officer conversion scheme.
What you can expect from us:
You’ll be given great training and opportunities for progression and development.
In addition to your base pay, you will receive:
- annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after 10 years’ service (calculated on a pro-rata basis)
- 9 days bank, public and privilege holidays
- access to a paid Level 2 apprenticeship in customer service
- access to the generous Civil Service pension scheme season ticket loans, retail discounts, an Employee Assistance Programme and a Cycle to Work scheme
If this sounds like you, apply now.
Prison Support employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Prison Support
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the daily operations of a prison. Understanding the environment and the various roles within it can help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your communication skills. Since this role requires good judgment and the ability to stay calm under pressure, be prepared to share examples from your past experiences that showcase these abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your teamwork experience. This position is all about collaboration, so think of specific instances where you successfully worked as part of a team to achieve a common goal.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for shift work discussions. Since the role involves various shifts, including nights and weekends, be clear about your availability and willingness to adapt to the schedule.
We think you need these skills to ace Prison Support
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take some time to fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Operational Support Grade position. Familiarize yourself with the daily tasks mentioned in the job description, such as security checks, managing deliveries, and monitoring CCTV.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasize your communication skills, ability to remain calm under pressure, and teamwork experience. These are crucial for the role and should be clearly demonstrated in your CV and cover letter.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter specifically for this position. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what the role entails and how your background aligns with it.
Proofread Your Documents: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Show Your Communication Skills
As a key part of the role involves communication, be prepared to demonstrate your ability to convey information clearly and effectively. Use examples from past experiences where you successfully communicated under pressure.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork
Highlight your experience working in teams. Share specific instances where you contributed to a team goal or helped resolve conflicts, showcasing your ability to collaborate and support others.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
The job can be fast-paced and stressful. Prepare to discuss how you handle stressful situations. Provide examples of times when you maintained composure and made sound decisions in challenging circumstances.
✨Understand the Role's Responsibilities
Familiarize yourself with the day-to-day tasks of an Operational Support Grade. Be ready to discuss how your skills and experiences align with these responsibilities, showing that you understand what the job entails.