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- Tasks: Supervise prisoners, manage activities, and ensure safety and wellbeing.
- Company: Serco is dedicated to meaningful work in rehabilitation and safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, free gym access, food on shift, and discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: No specific experience needed; just bring your commitment and transferable skills.
- Other info: Position based at HMP Fosse Way; consider commute options before applying.
The predicted salary is between 27300 - 32888 £ per year.
What’s in it for you?
Your starting salary will be £27,300 pa, increasing to £28,350 after 12 months and again to £32,288 when you reach 3 years’ service. We are fully committed to progressing you through your PCO Portfolio or PCO Apprenticeship which would increase your salary to £32,288 as soon as either of these is successfully completed, realistically achievable within 12 to 18 months of joining us.
- Opportunity to earn approximately £37,800 including overtime (based on an average of 4 hrs per week)
- Clear career development pathways for transition into operational management positions with salaries ranging from £36,000 to £42,000
- Free parking on site
- Free use of the gym
- Free food whilst on shift
- Pension scheme
- Health & Wellbeing Benefits
- Reward & Recognition scheme
- Serco discounts including cinema, online shopping discounts, leisure centre memberships, and Blue Light discount card
Is this the right career for you?
Our Prison Officers come with various work & life experiences; what matters is your commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. We focus on transferrable skills and behaviours such as communication, teamwork, resilience, and patience. The rest you’ll learn during your 10-week training course and through our experienced colleagues.
As a Prison Officer, you’ll ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of everyone around you. Your contribution counts as you work to give prisoners structure, encourage positive choices, and support their rehabilitation journey.
Day to day you’ll be involved in:
- Supervising prisoners in all aspects of prison wing activity
- Overseeing work and education programmes, encouraging participation
- Operational matters such as prisoner headcounts, cell searching, security, and administrative processes
- Managing prisoners at risk of self-harm
We operate 24/7, meaning you’ll cover shifts on days, evenings, weekends, nights, and bank holidays. We value work-life balance and operate on a rota basis that allows flexibility for meaningful time off.
Preparing for your recruitment journey:
You’ll complete an online assessment. If successful, you’ll attend a virtual competency-based interview, Maths and English assessment. After passing, you’ll visit HMP Fosse Way for a Welcome Briefing, Group Session, Mobility Assessment, and Prison tour.
Once assessed, you’ll attend a 10-week Initial Training Course (ITC) at the Prison, requiring 100% attendance. This consists of 8 weeks classroom training and 2 weeks shadowing, providing high-quality training, including a Diploma in Custodial Care, First Aid, and Control and Restraint training.
Why Serco?
Prison Officers are key to ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of prisoners, staff, and visitors. They play a vital role in reducing reoffending rates.
Our prisons offer a variety of opportunities, with Officers able to progress into Ops Management or specialist services such as Psychology, Education, Health, or the Animal unit.
Due to investment in safeguarding and rehabilitation, our prisons are calmer than you might imagine, and you’ll receive all the training and advice needed from friendly and supportive colleagues.
Please note that this position is based at HMP Fosse Way in Leicester, which has limited public transport options. We encourage applicants to consider their commute time and transportation options before applying, recommending candidates live within a 30-mile radius to maintain punctuality, work-life balance, and job satisfaction.
What else do I need to know?
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and all offers of employment are subject to security clearance checks and satisfactory employment references. You’ll need to provide 5 years of employment and education history as part of these checks.
This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office rules, as it does not meet the required salary or skill level criteria. Candidates must have at least two years remaining on their current visa and have lived in the UK for at least one year.
Contact Detail:
Serco Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Prison Officer - HMP Fosse Way
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of a Prison Officer. Understanding the day-to-day tasks, such as supervising prisoners and managing operational matters, will help you demonstrate your commitment to the role during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your transferrable skills in communication, teamwork, and resilience. Think of specific examples from your past experiences that showcase these skills, as they are crucial for success in this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the online assessment by practising situational judgement tests. These assessments often reflect real-life scenarios you might face as a Prison Officer, so being well-prepared can give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider your commute and living arrangements carefully. Since the role is based at HMP Fosse Way, being within a 30-mile radius can help ensure punctuality and job satisfaction, which is something you can mention during your interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Prison Officer - HMP Fosse Way
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Prison Officer. Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your skills and experiences align with what they are looking for.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant skills such as communication, teamwork, and resilience. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate these qualities, as they are crucial for this role.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that explains why you want to work as a Prison Officer at HMP Fosse Way. Mention your commitment to making a difference in the lives of others and how your background prepares you for this role.
Prepare for Assessments: Be ready for the online assessment and subsequent interviews. Practice common competency-based interview questions and review basic Maths and English skills, as these will be part of the selection process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨Show Your Commitment to Rehabilitation
During the interview, emphasise your dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of prisoners. Share any relevant experiences or skills that demonstrate your ability to support rehabilitation and encourage positive choices.
✨Highlight Transferable Skills
Focus on your communication, teamwork, resilience, and patience. These are key traits for a Prison Officer. Prepare examples from your past work or life experiences that showcase these skills in action.
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Familiarise yourself with the day-to-day duties of a Prison Officer, such as supervising prisoners and managing operational matters. Being knowledgeable about the role will show your genuine interest and preparedness.
✨Prepare for Competency-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess how you've handled specific situations in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, ensuring you provide clear and concise examples.
