Prison Officer - HMP Werrington in Stoke-on-Trent

Location: HMP Werrington, Ash Bank Rd, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 0DX (Stoke-on-Trent, Midlands)

Starting salary: £35,875 (for a 39-hour week including 20% unsocial)

Employment type: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working

Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available subject to eligibility and UK Immigration Rules. Sponsorship is not guaranteed; applicants must ensure they have the right to work in the UK.

Job Description and Responsibilities

The Youth Justice Worker role is similar to that of a prison officer but focuses on supporting children and young people in custody. Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring the security and safety of children and young people in a custodial setting.
• Providing day‑to‑day support, interventions, and supervising safe movement around the site.
• De‑escalating situations, managing behavioural issues, and applying conflict resolution techniques.
• Collaborating with young people, their families, carers, and other professionals to agree on interventions or referrals.
• Using evidence‑based approaches to assess and address complex needs and evaluate effectiveness of actions.
• Participating in regular supervision with an experienced practitioner.

Essential Skills and Personal Qualities

• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Commitment to high standards of care and service.
• Empathy and understanding of diverse backgrounds.
• Effective decision‑making abilities.
• Ability to work respectfully, balancing challenge and support.

Qualifications and Experience

• No formal qualifications are required.
• At least 18 years of age at start of employment.
• Meet Civil Service nationality requirements.
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment (physically active job).
• Meet the required eyesight standard in both eyes (with or without corrective lenses).
• Suitable standard of hearing without the use of hearing aids.

Travel to Work

A driving licence and own transport are beneficial for rural locations but not essential, unless specified. Shift start and finish times are fixed; applicants must ensure timely arrival.

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries with right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and family members with settled or pre‑settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) or valid application for EUSS (before 31 Dec 2020)
• Turkish nationals and certain family members with accrued right to work in the Civil Service

Pay and Working Hours

The initial training is 37 hours a week. After training, you can choose to work 37, 39, or 41 hours a week. The annual salary reflects weekly hours.

• 37 hours a week = £33,746 a year
• 39 hours a week = £35,875 a year
• 41 hours a week = £38,003 a year

All salary figures include any additional allowances applicable to the role/location.

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service)
• Paid time off for public holidays and 1 extra privilege day
• Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme, travel loans, and other benefits

Additional Information

Each role will involve a 12‑month probationary period followed by the opportunity to undertake a Level 4 Qualification focused on working with children and young people in custody. As a civil service employee, you must have the right to live and work in the UK and meet the Criminal Records Act disclosure and barring security check requirements.