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General Information

Salary
£27,040 - £28,472
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Internal
Location
Arundel, Aylesbury, Bicester, Henley-on-Thames, Lewes, Maidstone, Rochester, Sheerness, Winchester, Woking
Region
Kent, Surrey & Sussex, South Central
Closing Date
27-May-2025
Business Unit
DDC South Central
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
AO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
5890

Descriptions & requirements

Job description
Overview of the job

This is an operational job in an establishment.  

Summary

The job holder will supervise and support prisoners, ensuring all services are provided to a high standard and that security and control are maintained at all times, adhering to local and national policies.

The specific duty of the jobholder is to undertake searches as required, in order to maintain the effective security and operational safety of the establishment. This is an operational job with no line management responsibilities.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
  • In accordance with the Local Security Strategy (LSS) undertake searches on cells, prisoners, staff, visitors and communal open areas as required which includes:
  • Cell fabric searches
  • Searches for prohibited items in cells and on prisoners
  • Searches of staff and visitors and prisoners
  • Searches of communal area and grounds
  • A and B level searches and full searches
  • Targeted searches in response to intelligence received
 
  • Train staff on search techniques and awareness of new methods of concealment.
  • Responsible for the control of tools on behalf of the establishment and will also be required to undertake tool audits.
  • Maintain knowledge of drugs use within the establishment and methods of concealment and update search practice accordingly.
  • Collect / bag evidence and record appropriately. Be competent in the preservation of evidence as per the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and have knowledge of arrest procedures.
  • Conduct searches on other establishments and other government buildings such as courts and hospitals when required.
  • Complete all related administration and paperwork in respect of the searches and items found.
  • Supervise prisoner activities including exercise and association, maintaining the general cleanliness of the wing and making sure that meals are served in-line with establishment policy.
  • Lock prisoners securely in their cells at each lock up period, keep account of the unit roll and make sure that prisoners are accounted for.
  • Support vulnerable prisoners and pass any relevant concerns to wing managers/staff, Healthcare, Safer Custody department and personal officer.
  • Share identified prisoner needs with reception staff.
  • Unlock prisoners in a timely manner.
  • Deal with any instances of self harm in-line with suicide and self harm prevention strategies.
  • Support prisoners in-line with the Personal Officer strategy, completing reports on prisoners as requested, within time limits set, which contribute to sentence planning and prisoner progress.
  • Encourage responsible and respectful behaviour in prisoners.
  • Receive and progress applications and complaints.
  • Maintain prisoner records by completing behaviour report entries and data entry onto the prisoner database.
  • Carry out accommodation/fabric checks, including searching prisoners.
  • Complete all administration in support of main duties including ordering cleaning materials and completing regime monitoring.
  • Supervise, manage and control prisoners decently, lawfully, safely and securely whilst carrying out all activities.
  • Exercise the powers of a Constable.
  • Conduct searches on prisoners, staff and visitors as required.
  • Undertake external escorts when required.
  • Undertake ‘first on scene’ incident response.
  • Maintain and update systems in-line with local agreements.
  • Prepare relevant documentation to managers for verification/quality checking purposes.
  • Attend and contribute to relevant meetings as required.
  • Complete and update Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan.
  • Establish, develop and maintain professional relationships with prisoners and staff.
  • Understand apply and comply to national/local policies and legislation.
Undertake other Prison Officer tasks as follows:   In addition to the above, the job holder may be required to undertake duties on a Residential Unit:   The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.  

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Behaviours

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Working Together
Technical Requirements

Job holders must complete specific training in their specialism once they take up post. 

All candidates are required to pass an on line application and numeracy assessment, attend and pass a variety of assessments at Recruitment Assessment centre, these include a written assessment, role plays, medical assessment and a fitness test.

If successful in your application, your continuation in this role is dependent on passing all modules within the initial Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT), which is a pathway to becoming a fully competent Prison Officer. Failure to successfully complete and pass POELT course could result in your removal from this role and may result in the termination of your employment. Following completion of the POELT course you will be subject to a 12 month probationary period.  

Ability

  • Fitness Standard
  • Medical Standard
  • Numerical Ability

Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances

37 hour working week (standard).   

Additional Conditioned Hours (ACH) 
Band 3 Prison Officers have the option to commit to working between 1 -4 Additional Committed Hours (ACH) on top of the standard 37 hour week. These hours are non- pensionable and paid at an enhanced rate. 

HMPPS Staff on closed pay structures only: 
Additional Conditioned Hours Pensionable (ACHP) 
Staff moving from a closed 39 hour pay structure will be eligible for the two protected pensionable additional committed hours (ACHP). They will work a 39 hour week consisting of the standard 37 hour week and a further 2 additional hours (ACHP) paid at plain time pensionable rate. 

Unsocial Hours Working: 
This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a 17% payment will be paid in addition to your basic pay to recognise this. Unsocial hours are those hours outside 0700 - 1900hrs Monday to Friday and include working evenings, nights, weekends and Bank/Public holidays.
Additional Information

T&S BASE FOR THE ROLE ADVERTISED IS AT HMP ROCHESTER, 1 FORT ROAD, ROCHESTER ME1 3QS. YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN 75 MINUTES OF THIS BASE. 

The role may require you to be away from home 3/4 nights a week. 

You are required to hold a full manual driving licence. All HMPPS vehicles have telematics fitted to them.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

HM Prison & Probation Service  (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers

Training

HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

Eligibility

-All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

-All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS

-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information
Shane.white@justice.gov.uk or Samantha.j.evans@justice.gov.uk

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 5890

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 5890

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
TBC
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
DBS Basic