At a Glance
- Tasks: Support rehabilitation and manage challenging behaviours in a secure environment.
- Company: Join the Scottish Prison Service and make a difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £36,268, progressing to £42,587 with training opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a rewarding career that impacts lives positively every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting others and managing challenging situations is essential.
- Other info: Dynamic role with ongoing professional development and shift work.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Overview
Prison Officer – Residential – Location – Glasgow Area
Vacancy Type: Permanent
Location: HMP Barlinnie, HMP Low Moss, HMP Shotts
Pay band: D
Starting salary: £36,268 progressing to £42,587 within 3 years, subject to pay progression
Hours of work: Shift Work
Rollout date: 03/10/2025, 10:00
Responsibilities
- Encouraging positive behaviours in individuals in engaging with rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives and processes through a supportive, caring and inclusive approach, consistently demonstrating support and respect for equality, diversity and human rights.
- Contributing to the prevention and constructive management of challenging and/or difficult behaviours whilst demonstrating fairness and consistency in order to build positive relationships with individuals in custody.
- Managing individuals’ case work and exercising professional judgement in responding to particular needs and challenges, identifying changes in individuals’ physical and mental health and initiating appropriate responses by others.
- Completion of all administration and communications relevant to the role, in line with local and national requirements and standards. This includes processing, analysing, evaluating and disseminating appropriate and relevant information, as well as production of high quality and accurate report writing and maintenance of paper and electronic records in accordance with SPS policies and relevant legislation.
- Contributing to effective operational risk management by ensuring the safe and secure supervision of those in SPS care ensuring their needs and entitlements are consistently met in line with Prison Rules and Directives, SPS policy, Standard Operating Procedures, and relevant legislation.
- Managing conflict, with a focus on de-escalation, and contributing towards local incident management using established and approved techniques whilst recognising and managing the impact of challenging behaviours on self and others.
Person Specification & Qualifications
- Commitment to Professional Development – Commitment to continuous professional development, including undertaking formal training and qualifications to support your own learning and development as well as the development of those in our care.
- ESSENTIAL – Experience Requirements: Supporting Others – Experience of providing support, advice or guidance to others.
- ESSENTIAL – Making a Difference – Experience of making a positive difference to the lives of others.
- ESSENTIAL – Resilience – Experience of managing challenging circumstances or behaviours, using emotional intelligence to prevent or resolve conflict, regulate your own emotional reactions and positively influencing others to achieve desired results.
- ESSENTIAL – Knowledge Skills Requirements – Building & Maintaining Relationships – Ability to foster good relationships and work effectively and collaboratively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills, and influencing others to achieve desired outcomes.
- ESSENTIAL – Problem Solving & Decision – Ability to proactively identify issues, recognise themes and patterns in order to implement solutions and make decisions which are defensible, evidence-based, take account of risks, appropriate and timely.
- ESSENTIAL – Communication Skills – Ability to manage situations, relationships and conflict through effective use of communication skills.
- ESSENTIAL – Managing Information – Ability to use a computer and other digital devices to process, analyse, evaluate and disseminate information and produce high quality written reports and maintain effective and accurate records.
Additional Information
Newly appointed Prison Officers – Residential will undertake a block of training as part of a new professional development pathway which represents a significant and positive investment in the professional Prison Officer in Scotland. As such, the role requires a strong on-going commitment to personal and professional development.
Prison Officers – Residential will spend the majority of their time in the residential (accommodation) area of the prison. The role can be physically demanding in that it involves walking and standing for a majority of the time and there will be frequent occasions where physical fitness and dexterity will be required to assist in the secure handling of challenging situations. The potentially intense nature of the interactions with those in our care and their families may exert emotional demands on Prison Officers.
Prison Officer – Residential members of staff work on a rostered shift pattern.
Please refer to the attached documents which provide further information regarding the recruitment process and other candidate guidance.
If you have any questions, please contact a member of the recruitment team at Vacancies@prisons.gov.scot
Applicants please note: The Scottish Prison Service is not a licensed Sponsor and Visa Sponsorship is not available for this role.
For the role you have applied for you must have the right to work in the UK and Civil Service.
The Immigration Act 2014 requires employers to check documents to establish a person’s eligibility to work in the UK and comply with any restrictions before they start work. Therefore, all candidates who are successful in the selection process for this role, when requested, will be required to provide evidence of their right to work.
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Prison Officer - Residential - Location - Glasgow Area employer: Scottish Prison Service
Contact Detail:
Scottish Prison Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Prison Officer - Residential - Location - Glasgow Area
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role inside out! Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and skills required for a Prison Officer. This way, when you get that interview, you can show off your knowledge and passion for making a positive difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former Prison Officers on LinkedIn or at local events. They can give you insider tips and maybe even put in a good word for you when applying through our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Prison Officer, you'll need to manage relationships and conflicts effectively. Role-play common scenarios with friends or family to build your confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay calm and collected during interviews. Remember, they want to see how you handle pressure. Take a deep breath, listen carefully to the questions, and respond thoughtfully. And don’t forget to apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Prison Officer - Residential - Location - Glasgow Area
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a positive difference in the lives of others. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to supporting and guiding individuals.
Be Specific: Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your skills. Whether it's managing challenging behaviours or building relationships, we love seeing concrete evidence of your abilities. This helps us understand how you can contribute to our team!
Keep It Professional: While we appreciate a friendly tone, remember to keep your application professional. Make sure your writing is clear, concise, and free of errors. This reflects your attention to detail, which is super important in this role!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the application process right there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Prison Service
✨Know Your Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Prison Officer. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of the job, such as managing challenging behaviours and supporting rehabilitation initiatives. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your ability to support others, manage conflict, and build relationships. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easier for the interviewers to see how you can make a positive difference in the lives of those in custody.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence
Be ready to discuss how you've handled challenging situations in the past. Highlight your resilience and emotional intelligence by sharing instances where you successfully de-escalated conflicts or managed your own emotional reactions. This is crucial for a role that involves working closely with individuals facing difficult circumstances.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. You might ask about the training process for new officers or how the team supports each other in managing the emotional demands of the job. Engaging in this way can leave a lasting impression on your interviewers.