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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the daily operations of a busy prison, ensuring safety and security.
- Company: Join a dedicated team in a vital public service role.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and access to training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a challenging yet rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a commitment to safety are essential.
The predicted salary is between 23400 - 35000 £ per year.
As an Operational Support Grade, you will look after the day‑to‑day running of a busy prison, working in a close‑knit team to carry out a range of support services – everything from patrol and gate duties, to managing deliveries, supervising visitors, and monitoring phone calls and CCTV. You will work shifts and nights to keep things running.
Salary and Hours
£29,432. The salary figures quoted are for a 37‑hour working week inclusive of 20% unsocial hours working allowance, which is included in the salary to reflect the requirement to work nights, evenings and weekend shifts. You will work an average of 37 hours per week, which will include working night shifts, evenings, weekends and Bank/Public holidays (these days are added to your holiday allowance) on a rolling shift pattern. The frequency of night shifts will vary for each establishment and can be discussed at interview.
Benefits
- 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
Responsibilities, activities and duties are likely to include
- Gate/portal duties: ensure the secure entry and exit of staff, visitors, vehicles; carry out searches of staff, prisoners, visitors, contractors and vehicles; issue and collect staff keys/radios
- Control room: operate the establishment radio system and monitor CCTV ensuring all suspicious activities are reported
- Visits: book visits; identify and process visitors on their arrival, escort them if required
- Censors/correspondence: monitor/log mail and report any illicit or contraband items, maintaining the preservation of evidence
- Night duties: ensure cell doors are locked/secure and all prisoners are safely accounted for
- Reception: assist in supporting appropriate tasks in reception; photograph prisoners; collate documentation for the property process; search/x‑ray incoming prisoner property and parcels; receive items for prisoners and check all seals are intact on property storage
- Prisoner supervision: supervise prisoners as required; undertake prisoner clothing/property exchange and assist officers with free‑flow movement
- Food delivery: food trolley delivery and collection, which may involve the use of an electric tug vehicle
- Driving duties: transport prisoners and their escort to their destination in the cellular vehicle; collect mail from local sorting office
- Phone calls: monitor the Personal Identification Number (PIN) system, maintaining the log of PIN Phone requests from prisoners; complete all relevant paperwork keeping an audit trail of conversations; check that legal numbers are registered solicitors
- Procedures and protocol: understand and conform to national and local policies, responding appropriately to invoke emergency procedures and the actions required in relation to incidents
Interview
At the interview we will assess you against the following Success Profile behaviours – Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service. The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of behaviours and experience. The interview is the ideal opportunity to tell us more about yourself, your work history or personal experiences, so we can get to know you better and assess how you will be suited to prison work.
Language
The job holder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.
Merit Vacancy Job offers
This is a ‘merit’ job vacancy. If you are successful at the interview you will be added to a merit list based on your score. When all applicants have completed the assessment, 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.
Allowance Details
In addition you will receive 20% unsocial working allowance. This has been included in the salary figures quoted.
11629 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Holme House & HMP Kirklevington Grange(Prison Support Role) employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 11629 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Holme House & HMP Kirklevington Grange(Prison Support Role)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role inside out! Familiarise yourself with the day-to-day tasks of an Operational Support Grade. This will help you speak confidently about how your skills match what they're looking for during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions and think about how your past experiences relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description. We want you to shine when it’s your turn to talk!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your enthusiasm! Let them know why you’re excited about working in a prison support role. Your passion can set you apart from other candidates, so don’t hold back on sharing your motivation.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the application process right there. Let’s get you that job!
We think you need these skills to ace 11629 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Holme House & HMP Kirklevington Grange(Prison Support Role)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Operational Support Grade. We want to see how you can contribute to the day-to-day running of the prison, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant experiences!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly understand why you’re a great fit for the team.
Show Your Team Spirit: Since this role involves working in a close-knit team, it’s important to demonstrate your ability to collaborate and support others. Share examples of teamwork in your application to show us you’re ready to jump in and contribute.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and gives you access to any additional resources we have to help you along the way.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of an Operational Support Grade. Familiarise yourself with tasks like gate duties, monitoring CCTV, and supervising visitors. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves a lot of interaction with staff, visitors, and prisoners, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills during the interview. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've effectively communicated or influenced others, as this aligns with the Success Profile behaviours they’re looking for.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess how you'd handle specific situations in a prison environment. Think about potential challenges you might face, such as managing difficult visitors or ensuring security protocols are followed, and prepare your responses to showcase your problem-solving abilities.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Working in a close-knit team is essential in this role, so be prepared to discuss your teamwork experiences. Share examples of how you've collaborated with others in high-pressure situations, as this will demonstrate your ability to contribute positively to the team dynamic.