Detention Custody Officer in Strathaven

Detention Custody Officer (DCO) - Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre

Salary ranging from £27,930.00 - £30,555.00 dependent on additional skills / responsibilities.

40 hours per week - Full Time. Capped overtime available. 24‑hour service, 365 days a year. 4‑on / 4‑off rolling shift pattern covering both days, nights and weekends.

Additional Benefits:

• Free use of the on‑site gym
• Free meals during the day
• Excellent benefits package including shopping discounts
• Pension
• Free on‑site parking
• Full Uniform, including footwear provided

Mitie are responsible for delivering the end‑to‑end management of all residents’ needs until the outcome of their case is decided by the Home Office. This is balanced against the competing pressures of safety, security, welfare needs and regime. Our aim is to treat those in our care with dignity, decency and respect, delivering a safe and healthy establishment which stands up to public scrutiny.

We operate in a high‑risk, high‑profile and heavily regulated environment engaging with numerous stakeholders including the Home Office and Medical Service delivery partners. In delivering our services, we help residents understand what happens next, provide an environment for them to engage in activities relevant to them and create an environment in which they can reach out for support whilst building positive staff‑resident relationships.

Our environment is one where positive behaviour is promoted in order to support the welfare of those in our care, and our staff. We’re looking for respectful, caring people to join our teams. If you’re the right one for us, your strong communication & interpersonal skills, non‑judgmental approach, excellent problem‑solving skills and ability to keep calm under pressure will be the foundations to develop your Care & Custody career.

Your working time will require you to be fully flexible to cover both day shifts with varying start and finish times and night shifts. No specific role experience or qualifications are required to be a DCO as full training and supported development are given. Experience of dealing sensitively with a wide variety of people who may be vulnerable, anxious, confused or volatile would be an advantage.

You’ll begin your Care & Custody career completing a 7‑week classroom‑based initial training course (ITC), continuing your development over the next 12 months with on‑the‑job mentoring.

What we are looking for:

• Be a UK citizen, Citizen of the Commonwealth with your own indefinite leave to remain (not through marriage) or EEA citizen.
• Have a valid and in date passport, with no restrictions on your stay in the UK. Visa’s in out‑of‑date passports cannot be accepted as proof of Right to Work in the UK. A Biometric card alongside a current in‑date passport must be provided.
• Have continuously resided in the UK for the past 5 years. (No trips overseas longer than three months)
• Applicants must not have spent more than 3 months at any one time overseas during the previous 5 years.
• This position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and Applicants must be prepared to undergo an Enhanced DBS check, complete employer referencing for the previous 5 years and vetting to the level of Counter Terrorist Checked (CTC) if offered a role.
• Full UK manual driving licence with no driving ban or disqualification within the previous 5 years.
• Not currently bankrupt.

We are located off the B743 just 7 miles south of Strathaven, with major connections being into Hamilton, approximately 14 miles north of the IRC.

We will support you every step of the way, developing your skills to professionally deliver this rewarding, sometimes challenging role with integrity and respect.