Prisoner Custody Officer

Description:

Serco is recruiting Prisoner Custody Officers (PCOs) to work within Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS) at Hendon Magistrates Court. This is a vital role at the heart of the UK justice system, ensuring the safe, secure, and professional escorting of detainees while safeguarding their wellbeing.

As a PCO, you will join a supportive, professional team where every day is different, presenting new challenges and opportunities to make a positive impact. The role requires vigilance, resilience, compassion, and professionalism while dealing with individuals in custody.

Key Responsibilities

• Escort and supervise detainees between cells, courtrooms, and secure areas, ensuring their safety and security at all times.

• Monitor detainees during court sessions, maintaining order and preventing risks to themselves or others.

• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and integrity.

• Remain professional and composed when exposed to distressing testimonies or evidence.

• Provide detainees with food, drink, and any required support, including accommodating dietary needs.

• Conduct thorough searches of detainees and belongings to prevent contraband.

• Accurately complete all required paperwork and data entry, logging detainee movements and incidents.

• Work closely with law enforcement, court staff, and legal professionals to ensure smooth proceedings.

• Respond quickly to emergencies or incidents in line with safeguarding and security protocols.

Skills and Requirements

• No specific experience required – full 5½ weeks training provided.

• Commitment to making a difference in people’s lives and supporting the justice system.

• Valid driver’s license preferred.

• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to remain calm and authoritative in challenging situations.

• Reasonable level of physical fitness to meet the demands of the role.

• Strong sense of responsibility, discretion, and emotional resilience.

Additional Information

• Permanent role with job stability and continuous training & development opportunities.

• Flexible rota system provided 12 weeks in advance, with some unpredictable finishing times due to nature of role.

• Benefits include: pension scheme, life insurance, healthcare and dental plans, employee wellbeing support, and discounts on retail, leisure, and travel.

• This role requires enhanced background checks including DBS (Adult & Child Barring) and Ministry of Justice vetting.

• Not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK with at least 2 years remaining on their visa and have lived in the UK for at least 1 year.

About Serco

Serco is a global leader in public service delivery, employing 50,000 people worldwide across justice, defence, healthcare, immigration, and transport. Serco is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, supporting colleagues through employee networks such as SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability), and In@Serco (LGBTQ+). As a Disability Confident Leader and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard, Serco is proud to provide fair opportunities and reasonable adjustments for candidates throughout the recruitment process.