Skip to content

General Information

Salary
£28,485
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
16-Jul-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
AO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
7412

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service

Job Title: Royal Courts of Justice Security - Deputy Shift Leader

Background

Security HM Courts and Tribunals Service has embarked on a reform programme that will include significant estates modernisation and greater use of digital solutions and will provide much improved services for service users. Our vision is to have an efficient and effective courts and tribunals system which enables the rule of law to be upheld and provides access to justice for all.

Significant investment has been made by HM Treasury to allow HMCTS to provide a more accessible system which is modern and responsive, treats those who use our service with dignity and respect, and which provides better value for money for the taxpayer. Key to implementing the reform programme will be close collaboration with the judiciary, and effective staff engagement. Maintaining a positive and lasting connection between HMCTS management and its staff at this time of such significant change will be critical to success.

An effective courts and tribunals service is fundamental to our democracy, underpinning the rule of law. This is an important opportunity to work in a leadership role that will support and enable this major transformation programme designed not just to give our courts and tribunals a sustainable and affordable future, but to improve further the delivery of justice.

Our service is currently largely organised regionally, and delivered locally, through a large number of courts and tribunal venues. As the reform programme progresses, we will increasingly deliver our services nationally through customer service centres, with local venues continuing to be used for hearings.  The Royal Courts of Justice will continue to be a flagship hearing centre, with improved courtroom utilisation and modernised and reformed digital case management and e-filing services, and digital working in court.

Key purpose of the role

Security's role is to maintain a safe working environment at the Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ), which is a part of the High Court, comprising over 100 courts, 79 located in the main Strand building and 31 in the Rolls Building which is located close to Strand.

The cases heard at the RCJ are some of the most high-profile ones in England and Wales, reflected in the occupiers including our most senior Judiciary. There is a high degree of liaison with resident and visiting Judiciary.

In addition, there are close to 1,000 members of staff. Hundreds of members of the public and the legal professions use our facilities every day.

Teams of security personnel provide a presence 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A security presence is also required at the ceremonial and private functions held here in the evenings and weekends.

AO Deputy shift leaders attract a 20% allowance and are expected to work a 48 hour a week shift pattern on a rolling basis as below:

  • Two days (7am to 7pm)
  • Two nights (7pm to 7am)
  • Four rest days.
  • Repeat.

Security work can be physically demanding. The staff will receive the appropriate training to support them in this role, Court Security Officer (CSO) The Courts Act 2003.

The current high standard of customer service - for the whole of the RCJ and Rolls Building - must be maintained and improved upon if possible.  All members of the Security team, as frontline staff, have a key role to play in this.

Key responsibilities may include

  • Monitoring premises and visitors via CCTV and x-ray machines, together with other security checks such as "wanding" court uses/bag searches on arrival.
  • Restraining someone attending court, ejecting someone from the court or excluding someone from the court.
  • Controlling access doors and gates, checking of vehicles. Searching members of the public entering the court building. Checking pass holders passes.
  • Patrol of buildings and satellite buildings, keeping in contact with the Control room with the use of handheld radios. Securing the building when it is closed to the public. Escorting contractors, Judiciary and VIP’S etc. Generally providing a secure environment.
  • Dealing with enquiries from Staff, Judiciary and public within the complex.
  • Federal Aviation standard trained in the use of X-Ray equipment and AMD’S.
  • Responding to panic alarm buttons (PAB’S) in Judges rooms, Courts and Office’s.
  • Responding to any security issues within the complex and recording and reporting details of those incidents
  • Issuing security passes
  • Assist with Court urgent out of hour’s business, escorting Judiciary, police and prisoners to/from room or Court.

Other duties

The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Further Details

These operational roles are customer facing, requiring successful applicants to be office based to provide HMCTS services to the public. Successful candidates are expected to work full time on shift basis detailed above under key purpose of role. This role is not suitable for working remotely.

Annual Leave

Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 251 hours per year, rising as your service increases. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year.  Additional paid time off for public holidays and privilege days. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Skilled Worker Visa

From 4 April 2024, the Government increased the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas. The starting salary for this role falls below the general salary threshold for sponsorship.

The Department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 4 April 2024, you qualify for relevant tradeable points, or you meet other criteria where a lower salary can be considered. Therefore, if you believe you meet the eligibility criteria (in whatever way possible) and you have received a provisional job offer, please raise this during your vetting checks.

If you are applying for this role and you do not meet the new eligibility criteria for sponsorship, you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.

The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. Please go to www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa for more information

Additional Information

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). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

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 role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

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.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ 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 MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

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

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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.

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

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.

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

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 7412

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

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions, 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
Making Effective Decisions
Leadership
Managing a Quality Service
Working Together

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews are expected to be held end of July. Subject to change.
Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions
Leadership
Managing a Quality Service
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
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)