201710: Prison Officer - HMP Belmarsh
Prison Officer - HMP Belmarsh
HMP Belmarsh, Western Way, Thamesmead, London, SE28 0NZ
Salary
£29,981 starting salary a year based on a 39 hour working week, with potential to earn more depending on contract hours and overtime. The standard working week for a prison officer is based on 37 hours. Working 39 hours is dependent on completing training and opting in to a 39 hour week.
About the Role
Working in a prison is fast-paced and varied. It’s an interesting and rewarding career, with training, professional qualifications and career progression.
Click here for more details of HMP Belmarsh and what the job entails.
Working at HMP Belmarsh
From day-one, you will be fully supported by our Prison Officer mentors and a wide ranging support team. We pride ourselves on being a team that stands side by side, based on the knowledge that only by working together can we run a safe, decent prison where it is possible for prisoners to change their lives. Click here to find out more about Belmarsh.
What’s in it for you
Being a prison officer is a big responsibility. So, it’s only right that we give you the right recognition and rewards for what you do.
That’s why, alongside the attractive starting salary, civil service pension and 25 days’ annual holiday (pro rata), there are many other options and benefits on offer. We want to make sure you receive the rewards you deserve.
You’ll have access to childcare vouchers, opportunities to earn more through paid overtime, a civil service pension, annual season ticket loans, a free gym, a variety of exclusive discounts, free parking and Our Give As You Earn scheme. Click Here to find out more about the facilities at HMP YOI Belmarsh.
Eligibility
You don’t need any formal qualifications to become a prison officer - but there are some key things that we’ll be looking for. You’ll need plenty of common sense, a reliable approach, good people skills, a strong character, and the willingness to take on responsibilities.
You’ll also be expected to take part in our security and identity checks before joining us – and to tell us if you are a member of any group or organisation that does not fit with the prison service values of diversity and inclusion. You must have the right to work in the UK as well.
Application Process
By applying to HMP Belmarsh, you’ll be automatically entered into a pilot scheme that aims to make the assessment process faster and less bureaucratic. However, if you’re unsuccessful at any stage of this pilot, you’ll simply be re-entered into the regular recruitment process – so no-one is at a disadvantage.
The pilot aims to recruit candidates in a 30-day timeframe, from application to the issuing of a conditional contract. The process will consist of:
- A written application – please complete this in seven days to help keep the process streamlined.
- An online test – once your application has been approved, you’ll be given access to 15 questions with multiple choice answers testing four key skills.
- Recruitment Assessment Day (RAD) – if you pass the tests, you’ll be invited to an assessment day. This will consist of a computer based test, a group scenario test, fitness test (include health check and vetting. (Don’t worry, the tests are not too onerous and we don’t require you to be an athlete.) They will be held onsite in HMP YOI Isis (which is next door to HMP Belmarsh) and we’ll give you guidance on what to expect of the day in advance.
Offer
If you’re successful, you’ll be given a provisional offer at the Assessment Day. Formal vetting by our providers SSCL will then commence. This will also include a Counter Terrorism Check (CTC).
Training
Once you have passed the RAD, you’ll be booked into the 10-week Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT) programme. As part of this course, you’ll gain a Level 3 Diploma in the Management and Care of Individuals in the Custodial Environment. This will give you some excellent transferable skills, including understanding of working in custodial care, current legislative and organisational requirements, and best working practices. You will also attend a mandatory 2 week residential course (at a later date) aimed specifically at the skills required to support Prison Officers working within the High Security Estate.
Find out more
You can find out more about the benefits, assessment and training in the attached FAQs. There are also a number of useful resources on www.prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants, you can read more about it here [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-code/the-civil-service-code].
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
29/10/2017, 23:55 hours.
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Interview stage assessments
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 are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
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
This Vacancy is closed to applications.