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 23200 - 34600 £ 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.
11597 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Preston (Prison Support Role) employer: Ministry of Justice
As an Operational Support Grade at HMP Preston, you will join a dedicated team committed to maintaining safety and security within the prison environment. The role offers competitive benefits including generous annual leave, access to a Civil Service pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development through paid apprenticeships. With a supportive work culture that values teamwork and employee growth, HMP Preston is an excellent employer for those seeking a meaningful career in public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 11597 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Preston (Prison Support Role)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role inside out! Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of an Operational Support Grade. This way, when you get to the interview, you can show off your knowledge and enthusiasm for the job.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for the interview by rehearsing answers to common questions related to communication and managing a quality service. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Be yourself during the interview! Share your personal experiences and how they relate to the role. Authenticity goes a long way in showing that you're the right fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application is seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and benefits there!
We think you need these skills to ace 11597 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Preston (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!
Showcase Relevant Experience:If you've got any experience in security, customer service, or working in a team, make it shine! We love to see how your past roles have prepared you for this position, especially in a busy environment like a prison.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us understand your suitability for the role quickly.
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 all the information about the role and benefits.
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 effectively communicated or resolved conflicts. This will highlight your ability to manage a quality service.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect behavioural questions that assess how you handle various situations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Think of scenarios where you've had to influence others or manage a service effectively, as these are key success profile behaviours they’ll be looking for.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, shift patterns, or training opportunities. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
