Prison Officer

Overview

HMP Thameside, SE28 0FJ
Up to £38,448 per annum
Permanent. Full time positions available (average 40 per week, with various shifts).

Your starting salary will be £33,500 pa, increasing to £34,550 after 12 months and to £38,448 when you reach 3 years\’ service. We are fully committed to progressing you through your PCO Portfolio or PCO Apprenticeship, which would increase your salary to £38,448 as soon as either course is successfully completed (realistically within 12 to 18 months of joining). We also offer:

• Opportunity to earn approximately £44,000 including overtime (overtime availability is not guaranteed; based on an average of 4 hours per week).
• Clear career development pathways to transition into operational management positions with salaries £42,200–£48,200.
• Flexible shift patterns.
• Free parking on site.
• Free use of the gym.
• Free food whilst on shift.
• Pension scheme.
• Health & Wellbeing Benefits.
• Reward & Recognition scheme.
• Serco discounts including cinema, online shopping, leisure centre memberships, and Blue Light discount card.

Discover lots of information about the Prison Officer role here

Role purpose and responsibilities

As a Prison Officer, you\’ll be at the forefront of ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of everyone around you. It is a job where your contribution counts as you work to give prisoners structure, encourage positive choices, and support rehabilitation. Day to day you\’ll be involved in:

• Supervising prisoners in all aspects of prison wing activity.
• Overseeing work and education programmes, encouraging prisoner participation.
• Managing operational matters such as prisoner headcounts, cell searches, security, and administrative processes.
• Handling prisoners who are at risk of self-harm.

We operate 24/7, all year round with shifts on days, evenings, weekends, nights, and bank holidays. We value work-life balance and operate on a rota that allows flexibility for time off.

Preparation for recruitment journey

You\’ll be invited to complete an online assessment. If you pass, you will attend an interview including a short role play, written exercise, competency-based interview, and maths assessments. The fitness tests include:

• Bleep Test – 15 metre shuttle runs to reach level 5.4 (approx. 3 minutes 40 seconds).
• Agility Test – Course around cones within a set time.
• Shield Hold Test – Holding a shield at a 45-degree angle for 1 minute.
• Grip Test – 28KG on both hands.

On passing assessments, you will attend a 10-week Initial Training Course (ITC) at the Prison, requiring 100% attendance. The ITC includes 8 weeks classroom training and 2 weeks shadowing, plus a Diploma in Custodial Care, First Aid and Control and Restraint training.

Why Serco?

• Meaningful and vital work: Prison Officers help ensure health, safety, and wellbeing of prisoners, staff, and visitors, and contribute to reducing reoffending.
• Growth opportunities: Potential progression into Ops Management or specialist services (e.g., Psychology, Education, Health, or the Animal unit).
• Supportive culture: Training and guidance from colleagues in a collaborative environment.

Please note this position is based at HMP Thameside in London. Due to shift patterns, applicants should consider commute time and transportation options. A 30 mile radius is recommended to maintain punctuality and work-life balance.

Additional information

Right to work and visa: This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office rules. Applications are welcome from those with valid right to work in the UK through other routes, subject to eligibility criteria:

• Have at least two years remaining on your current visa.
• Have lived in the UK for at least one year.

For general right-to-work guidance, please visit the UK Home Office website. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; offers are subject to security clearance checks and satisfactory references. You will need 5 years of employment/education history, and to obtain Ministry of Justice Enhanced Level 2 Clearance & Enhanced DBS with adult and child barring vetting.

About Serco
Serco delivers essential public services worldwide and supports diversity and inclusion through employee networks. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and are committed to flexible working where possible. For help with your application, please contact j&icareersUK@serco.com.

Application note: This role may be subject to changes to closing dates depending on application volume. We are a Disability Confident Leader and aim to provide reasonable adjustments during the interview and employment process.