Detention Custody Officer Manager (DCOM)

The management team at Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre are actively seeking highly motivated, and dedicated individuals to join our critical leadership structure. We are offering a challenging and profoundly rewarding opportunity to serve as an Detention Custody Officer Manager , a pivotal role designed to ensure the continuous operational stability, security, and the consistent delivery of high standards of care within our facility.

As an DCOM, you will hold significant responsibility for the day-to-day oversight, leadership, and management of our dedicated Detention Custody Offices. This encompasses providing direct guidance, mentoring, performance management, and fostering a strong team environment to ensure a cohesive, effective, and professional workforce. A paramount duty of this role is to ensure a safe and secure environment for all residents and staff at all times.

A key facet of this position involves providing strong, visible leadership across shifts, acting as a consistent point of contact, a decision-maker, and an exemplary role model for all DCOs. You will be directly accountable for rigorously ensuring full compliance with all Home Office directives, statutory regulations, and the stringent contractual requirements governing the operation of Immigration Removal Centres. Collaborating closely and effectively with the wider Centre Management Team, you will play a crucial role in cultivating and sustaining an environment that is not only operationally effective and highly secure but also deeply respectful, supportive, and conducive to the well-being of both residents and all members of staff.

It is important to note that this is a permanent role, designed to serve as a critical contingent resource. Successful candidates will be deployed on an as-needed basis to address specific operational requirements, cover planned or unforeseen absences (such as long-term leave or secondments), or to manage periods of increased demand, thereby ensuring uninterrupted leadership, stability, and consistent service delivery within critical areas of the centre.

For the ambitious, career-focused, and dedicated professional, this role represents an exceptional and invaluable development opportunity. It offers a unique chance to gain hands-on, high-level leadership and management experience within a complex, dynamic, and vital operational environment. Furthermore, successful candidates selected for this position will be formally placed onto the DCOM framework. We are seeking individuals ready to take the next step in their career, leveraging this opportunity as a springboard for long-term professional growth and contribution.

Key Responsibilities

·        Provide daily operational management within your allocated area, ensuring safety, security and compliance at all times.

·        Lead, supervise and motivate staff, ensuring performance is managed effectively and development opportunities are supported.

·        Oversee staff deployment, ensuring resources are used efficiently and appropriately.

·        Ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures and legislative requirements.

·        Respond promptly and professionally to incidents, ensuring accurate reporting and effective resolution.

·        Conduct investigations, disciplinary hearings and staff performance reviews as required.

·        Contribute to the welfare, safety and dignity of residents, ensuring fair and respectful treatment at all times.

·        Maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and partner agencies.

·        Promote equality, diversity and inclusion across all aspects of the role.

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.
• Please note 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.

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. 

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.

Additional information

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