5788 - Prison Officer - Band 3

Applicants must have successfully passed their probation period

Band 3

Overview of the job     

This is an operational job in an establishment

Summary           

The job holder will supervise and support prisoners in a rehabilitative environment, 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. Acting as a Key Worker, the job holder will develop a mentoring, supporting, encouraging relationship with identified prisoners.

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:

• Establish, develop and maintain professional relationships with prisoners   and staff
• Supervise, support, manage and control prisoners decently, lawfully, safely and securely whilst carrying out all activities
• Exercise the power of a Constable
• Conduct searches as required
• Undertake external escorts
• Undertake ‘first on scene’ incident response
• Understand and comply with national/local policies and legislation
• Maintain and update systems in-line with local agreements
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings as required
• Complete all administration in support of main duties

If Residential Unit is used as a First Night/Induction accommodation, in addition to above the job holder will:

• Deliver an effective induction in line with requirements
• Interview new arrivals ensuring a needs assessment is completed and appropriate referrals are made for prisoners who require interventions
• Brief all prisoners giving clear guidance and ensuring they are aware of how to seek help and information
• Deal with any prisoners concerns or issues raised at the induction meeting
• Coordinate and support listeners network ensuring that any advice given is supportive and accurate
• Share identified prisoner needs with reception staff

If Residential Unit is used as a Care and Separation Unit (CASU) accommodation, in addition to the job holder will:

• Advise staff on adjudications processes, check all paperwork is correct including any relevant evidence available. Escort prisoners to the adjudication room, supervise and on completion of adjudications, update prisoner database accordingly
• Collate referrals for the Independent Adjudicator
• Enter any adjournments into cells diary with details and place in appropriate file/tray
• Liaise with relevant department/agencies for Mandatory Drug Testing (MDT) referrals
• Be aware of any prisoner care plans, history sheets and observation book entries; hourly observations and recording of all prisoners who are awarded cellular confinement in compliance with national segregation policies
• Complete and collate all Control and Restraint, mechanical restraints and dirty protest paperwork for prisoners located within the unit
• Work with healthcare , safeguarding, outgoing care and planning

Acting as Key Worker, will:

• Help prisoners to settle, feel safe and calm
• Identify and resolve prisoner issues and concerns
• Actively engage in prisoner rehabilitation and motivation
• Encourage prisoners to be responsible and show respectful behaviour
• Reflect on progress throughout prisoner sentence
• Provide line management with feedback about prisoners’ concerns and issues in order to improve problem areas
• Work with the prisoner to co-develop a document which details the planned activities for his/her custodial period
• Reflect on and develop own practice, including making use of supervision and learning opportunities
• Document the meetings with prisoners on auditable prison IT systems as directed
• Will need to have regular communication with case managers
• Reflect on and develop own practice skill acquire as part of the Five Minute Intervention Training when engaging with prisoners.
• The completion of a resettlement needs screening using the Basic Custody Screening Tool (BCST) part in relation to a resettlement plan for all prisoners.

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.

Competencies

All of the competencies in the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) Competency and Qualities Framework are relevant to this group profile. For the purpose of selection the following competencies will be measured:

• 4. Leading and Communicating
• 9. Managing a Quality Service
• 11. Achieving a Safe and Secure in Environment
• 12. Showing Drive and Resilience
• 13. Caring
• 14. Persuading and Influencing
• 15. Acting with integrity

Minimum Eligibility     

Employees on Fixed Term contracts who wish to apply for this internal vacancy should be aware that they must be employed by the Civil Service at the time of appointment to the post as well as at the time of application.

• Eligibility for a Prison Officer post can be from external applications and from existing staff who wish to transfer to the post
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post
• All external candidates are subject to one year probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probation period with NOMS
• All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the Prison Service consider to be racist

Essential Skills Qualifications/ Accreditation/ Registration         

All candidates (internal and external) are required to complete an application form and pass a multi-media situational judgement test as well as a numeracy test which are all completed online. Successful candidates will be invited to book an assessment at one of our Career Centres where they will complete a medical assessment, fitness test, a language and numerical re-test as well as undertaking a series of Prison Officer related role plays.

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

Hours of Work and 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.

NOMS 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 evening, nights, weekends and Bank / Public holidays.

Closing Date: 27th February 2017 at 23:55 hours

If you require any assistance please call 0845 010 3508 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail hr-recruitment-enquiries@noms.gsi.gov.uk. Please quote the job reference.