Prisoner Custody Officer in Truro

As a PCO at our court, you'll work as part of a team to provide safe and secure escorting and custody services to detainees, focusing on maintaining their physical and mental wellbeing. During court proceedings, you'll be responsible for every aspect of detainee management until it's time for them to return to custody or be released.

Responsibilities

• Escorting defendants to and from courtrooms, cells and other areas within the court, including accompanying them to the toilet to ensure security and safety. This may involve being handcuffed to the detainee.
• Monitoring and supervising detainees while they are in the docks during court sessions, ensuring they remain secure and do not pose a risk to themselves or others.
• Being privy to sensitive and confidential information discussed during court proceedings, including testimonies and legal arguments. Maintaining discretion and confidentiality is paramount, and being prepared to listen to harrowing and distressing testimonies and evidence.
• Ensuring that detainees have access to food and drink throughout the day, catering to any dietary requirements or restrictions.
• Monitoring the mental and physical health of detainees, providing support and reporting any concerns to the appropriate authorities.
• Ensuring the safety and security of the court environment, including responding to any incidents or emergencies that may arise, and conducting thorough searches of property and individuals to prevent contraband from entering secure areas.
• Completing necessary paperwork and data entry accurately, including logging detainee movements, incidents and any other relevant information.
• Working closely with other court staff, law enforcement and legal professionals to ensure smooth and secure court operations.

Essential Qualifications

• Have at least two years remaining on your current visa.
• Have lived in the UK for at least one year, as the vetting process requires a counter-signatory from a recognised professional who has known you for that duration.

Desired Skills & Attributes

• Ideally, you'll have a current valid driver's licence, be reasonably fit and have good written and verbal communication skills, using those skills to manage and control all situations.
• This role requires a high level of responsibility, vigilance and the ability to handle challenging situations with professionalism and care.
• You will be an integral part of the judicial process, ensuring that justice is administered safely and securely.
• Our roles would suit those who have a particular interest in criminology or psychology.

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office rules, as it does not meet the required salary or skill level criteria.

Training & Support

Our current PCOs come to us with different work & life experiences; what you've done before doesn't matter, what matters is that you're committed to making a difference to the lives of others – the rest you will learn during our 5½-week training course and through our experienced colleagues.

About Serco

At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone. By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Benefits

• Base Salary of £23,402 (35hrs per week).
• We believe in recognising your contributions and growth: as well as continuous training & development opportunities, every year you will be eligible for a base salary increment, allowing you to see tangible progress in your earnings (year 2 – £23,984 / year 3 – £24,436 / year 4 – £24,890).
• Pension (matched up to 6%), life insurance; 20 days annual leave (rising to 25 after 7 years' service) plus Bank Holidays.
• A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, MIND, Simply Health Care and Dental Plans and more.
• Access to a range of discounts and exclusive deals such as Merlin Attractions, Mobile Phone discounts, Cinema discounts, Leisure, Retail and Hospitality discounts and more.
• A supportive team & culture where you'll get the chance to make a positive difference in a company passionate about diversity and inclusion.

Working Hours & Conditions

We are operational 24/6 and you'll cover various early and late shifts, 35hrs per week. Flexibility is key as due to the nature of the role there are a range of different working arrangements & additional hours. There will be days when your finishing time could be unpredictable; however, we operate a rota basis (provided 12 weeks in advance) that allows you the flexibility to enjoy meaningful time off to do the things you enjoy and love.