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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Escort and transport immigration residents safely while maintaining high security standards.
- Company: Join Mitie, the UK's leading facilities management company with a diverse team.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible shifts, and a range of perks including discounts and free parking.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career with full training provided.
- Qualifications: No experience needed; just bring strong communication skills and a calm approach.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and personal development with a supportive team.
The predicted salary is between 26000 - 36000 £ per year.
Better places, thriving communities.
Detainee Custody Officer – Heathrow Vehicle Base
Join Us and Make a Difference
£31,080.00 based on 40 hours per week
Who We’re Looking For
- Respectful, caring, and resilient individuals
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- A calm and non-judgemental approach
- Great problem-solving abilities
- The ability to stay composed under pressure
What You’ll Be Doing
As an In-Country Escorting DCO at the Vehicle Base, you’ll be responsible for:
- Escorting and transporting immigration residents within the UK
- Driving a small minibus-sized vehicle and ensuring the safe transportation of those in your care
- Maintaining high security and safety standards while treating residents with dignity and respect
This role requires flexibility, as you will work a mix of day and night shifts, covering a 24/7, 365-day operation.
No Experience? No Problem!
No prior experience or qualifications are needed—full training and support will be provided. If you have experience handling challenging situations or working with people in distress, it would be a plus.
Your journey begins with a 4-week paid training course, including a control and restraint training course. Over the next 13 months, you’ll receive on-the-job mentoring and assessments, leading to an accredited Level 3 Apprenticeship in Detention and Custody.
Why Join Us?
- Work-life balance – structured shifts for stability, up to 1 year in advance so you can plan your goals and travel.
- Career growth – start with a Level 3 Apprenticeship, with opportunities for leadership roles
- Continued personal development with full support given to enhance your career.
- Free parking and uniform
- Training: 4-week fully paid training course
- A great selection of benefits including access to online GP services, share options and a generous holiday allowance.
- Pension and Life assurance
- Reward & Recognition scheme.
- Discounts including cinema, online shopping discounts, leisure centre memberships, holidays, and Health & Wellbeing Benefits.
- As a DCO, you can apply for a Blue Light discount card.
Essential Requirements
- Be a UK Citizen, a Commonwealth Citizen with indefinite leave to remain (not through marriage), or an EEA Citizen
- Hold a valid UK passport (expired visas in out-of-date passports cannot be accepted)
- Have lived in the UK continuously for the past 3 years, with no single absence over 3 months
- Pass an Enhanced DBS check, employer referencing (last 5 years), and Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC) vetting
- Hold a full UK manual driving licence (at least 12 months of experience)
- Have fewer than 7 points on your licence and no driving bans in the last 12 months
- Be over 21 years of age
Due to the safety-critical nature of this role, we require that employees are not under the influence of any substance—including prescribed medication—that may impair their ability to perform their duties safely. This includes any THC-based prescriptions due to the lack of reliable evidence on safe levels of THC in the system.
If you are currently prescribed medication that may affect your ability to carry out safety-critical tasks, we encourage you to discuss this with us as part of the recruitment process. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments where appropriate and in line with our obligations under the Equality Act 2010.
To ensure the highest standards of safety and compliance, we operate a random drug and alcohol testing programme. By applying, you acknowledge that participation in this testing is a condition of employment.
Important: If you do not have a valid UK passport and a full UK manual car driving licence, we cannot proceed with your application.
Application Process
Successful candidates will be invited to an assessment process which includes:
- Interview
- Capability assessments
- Full vetting screening
Ready to take the next step? Apply now and start your journey with us! Our market-leading offering provides you with benefits that suit your lifestyle. We have a virtual GP on hand for you and members of your household. We offer financial wellbeing assistance through our Salary Finance scheme. For example, you could access 50% of your earned pay before payday for a small fee. Salary Finance also offers competitive loans.
When you join us, we’ll give you a link to our flexible lifestyle benefits platform, Choices. You might choose to purchase up to five extra days’ holiday each year. You might buy critical illness insurance, seek dental treatment or buy technology products at an affordable cost. There are many choices!
We give you access to high street discounts from thousands of well-known retailers, gyms and more through our MiDeals platform. And we have a cycle-to-work scheme. Life cover of up to four times your salary is available. We also offer enhanced pension contributions, a save-as-you-earn scheme, and a Mitie Matching Share Plan (you could even be awarded free shares in Mitie).
We award our employees with Mitie Stars as recognition for their hard work. There are cash prizes up for grabs each month and at the end of the year there’s a chance to scoop a top prize of £10,000!
Our success is a direct result of the experience and quality of our people. Progressing your career is therefore a top priority for us. We offer a diverse variety of training and development avenues via a wide selection of learning resources to suit you.
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long-term condition (for example dyslexia, anxiety, autism, a mobility condition or hearing loss) and need us to make any reasonable adjustments, changes or do anything differently during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing us.
Since 1987, Mitie’s 80,000 employees have been maintaining companies globally. We are the UK’s leading facilities management and professional services company, and our clients range from household names in banking, critical government sites as well as hospitals and schools.
Join our Mitie Team. Together our diversity makes us stronger.
Apply Now
Looking to move roles but not leaving the Mitie family? Why not share your experience with others about life at Mitie?
Detention Custody Officer - Heathrow VB employer: Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services
Contact Detail:
Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Detention Custody Officer - Heathrow VB
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Mitie and their values. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your skills align with the role of a Detainee Custody Officer, especially your communication and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! Even though this is a role that requires a uniform, showing up smartly dressed for your interview can make a great first impression. It shows respect for the process and the people you're meeting.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it’s a nice touch that many candidates overlook!
We think you need these skills to ace Detention Custody Officer - Heathrow VB
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what makes you unique.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to read the job description carefully and highlight how your skills match what we're looking for. Use keywords from the job ad to show us you’re a great fit for the Detainee Custody Officer role.
Show Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key in this role, make sure your application is clear and well-structured. A tidy layout and good grammar will help us see your attention to detail!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Detention Custody Officer. Familiarise yourself with the key skills required, such as strong communication and problem-solving abilities. This will help you demonstrate how your experiences align with what they’re looking for.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role involves working closely with immigration residents, it’s crucial to highlight your interpersonal skills. Prepare examples from your past where you’ve successfully handled challenging situations or provided support to individuals in distress. This will show that you can remain calm and respectful under pressure.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions during the interview. Think about how you would handle specific situations related to safety and security. Practising your responses can help you articulate your thought process clearly, demonstrating your ability to stay composed and make sound decisions.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team culture, training opportunities, or career progression. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.
