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- Tasks: Transport and escort immigration residents while ensuring their safety and welfare.
- Company: Join Mitie, a top 100 UK Employer with a people-centred culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible benefits, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: No specific experience needed; just a caring attitude and a valid driving licence.
- Other info: Full training provided, with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 23400 - 32000 £ per year.
Salary: 27,449 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week (plus overtime opportunities)
Working time: 24-hour service, 365 days a year. Rolling Variable Shift pattern covering days, mid shifts and nights.
We are looking for respectful, caring people to join our teams. Your strong communication & interpersonal skills, non-judgemental approach, excellent problem-solving skills and ability to keep calm under pressure will be the foundations to develop your Care & Custody career.
Your working time will require you to cover day, mid and night shifts with varying start and finish times as this contract is delivered 24 hrs per day and 365 days a year.
Role
Your new role as a vehicle base DCO will be to escort and transport immigration residents within the UK. This may be by land, sea or air. You will spend time both driving a small mini bus sized vehicle and escorting inside that vehicle at different times during your shift while maintaining high standards of security and safety, and promoting the welfare and decency of detainees in your care. There will be requirements to fly as part of escorted removals back to England. You may also support your colleagues in Larne House Residential Short Term Holding Facility.
Training & Career Development
No specific role experience or qualifications are required to be a DCO as full training and supported development are given. Experience of dealing sensitively with a wide variety of people who have been agitated, confused or angry would be an advantage. You will begin your Care & Custody career by completing a 4-week initial training course in England and then continuing your development over the next 6 months with on the job mentoring. We will support you every step of the way, developing your skills to professionally deliver this rewarding, sometimes challenging role with integrity and respect.
Essential Criteria
- 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 visas 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 previous 5 years. Applicants must not have spent more than 3 months at any one time overseas during the previous 3 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.
- Specific driving compliance is attached to this role.
- Full Northern Ireland manual driving licence with at least 12 months qualifying experience.
- Fewer than 7 points on your Northern Ireland Driving Licence.
- No driving ban/ disqualification within the previous 5 years.
- Not currently bankrupt.
- You must be able to pass a red/green colour-blind test as part of your air side driving requirement.
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.
Benefits
- Ability to achieve a successful work/life balance.
- Structured career development in a ‘People Centred' company - a top 100 UK Employer 2021.
- Opportunities to grow and develop new skills to reach a whole new potential.
- Continued personal development, beginning with your Level 3 Apprenticeship in Detention & Custody, moving onto accredited leadership qualifications with promotion to line management roles.
- A huge benefits package including pension schemes, private medical cover schemes, share schemes and MiDeals discount scheme with over 3000 offers available from your favourite retailers, leisure and utilities companies.
- Our market-leading offering provides you with benefits that suit your lifestyle.
- Virtual GP for you and your household; financial wellbeing assistance through Salary Finance.
- Flexible lifestyle benefits platform Choices after joining; options may include extra holiday, critical illness insurance, dental treatment, or technology purchases.
- Access to high street discounts via MiDeals; cycle-to-work scheme; life cover up to four times salary; enhanced pension contributions; save-as-you-earn; Mitie Matching Share Plan.
- Mitie Stars rewards with monthly cash prizes and an annual top prize of £10,000.
- Career progression through diverse training and development resources.
Since 1987, Mitie’s 80,000 employees have served clients globally across banking, government sites, hospitals and schools.
Detention Custody Officer - Drumkeen Vehicle Base employer: Mitie
Contact Detail:
Mitie Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Detention Custody Officer - Drumkeen Vehicle Base
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out their website and social media. This will help you understand what they value and how you can fit in. Plus, it gives you some great talking points during your chat!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on showcasing your communication skills and how you handle pressure, as these are key for the Detention Custody Officer role.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! Even if the job is about being on the move, showing up in smart attire shows you mean business. It’s all about making a good first impression, so don’t skimp on this one!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a nice touch that many candidates forget!
We think you need these skills to ace Detention Custody Officer - Drumkeen Vehicle Base
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and how they relate to the role. Authenticity goes a long way!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Detention Custody Officer role. Highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and any relevant experience with diverse groups. Show us why you’re the perfect fit!
Follow the Guidelines: Check out the job description carefully and ensure you meet all the essential criteria. This includes your right to work in the UK and driving compliance. We want to make sure you tick all the boxes before you hit 'send'!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mitie
✨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 aspects of the job, such as escorting and transporting immigration residents, and maintaining high standards of security and safety. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As this role requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, be prepared to demonstrate these during your interview. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've effectively communicated with people in challenging situations. This will highlight your ability to remain calm under pressure and deal sensitively with a variety of individuals.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle difficult situations. Practice responding to hypothetical scenarios related to the role, such as managing an agitated detainee or ensuring safety during transport. This will help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills during the interview.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask insightful questions about the company culture, training opportunities, and career development paths. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you gauge if the company aligns with your values and career goals. Plus, it leaves a positive impression on the interviewers!
