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Sodexo are responsible for 5 prison sites across the UK and we regularly run campaigns recruiting dedicated Prison Custody Officers to join our growing teams. These roles will be based in HMP Addiewell, West Lothian in Scotland.

Great Prison Custody Officers (PCOs) are the backbone to our business and play an important part in the smooth operation of our prison. Every PCO will play a key part in our resident’s lives be it on their rehabilitation journey or providing an ear to listen to them and offer support during their time in prison, as well as creating a positive and safe environment.

Background and experience are not important, it’s the kind of person you are that matters. We can teach you the rest

• Are you a dedicated person who is looking for a rewarding career?
• Are you reliable and quick to notice things?
• Do you treat people fairly and with respect?
• If you experience a challenging situation, are you able to move forward and start again fresh?

These are all things that we look for and make the difference between a good and great PCO.

HMP Addiewell a male only prison, and as such there are specific duties that can only be conducted by a male officer, such as searching, escorting and personal care of prisoners, however we welcome applications from both male and female applicants. Your role will involve everything from managing the regular prison routines, (locking and unlocking, supervising medication, meals plus recreation time to escorting residents to prison work, education and on occasions to hospital or court) to one to one support work with your allocated residents. One to one work will involve helping residents to settle into a new environment and feel safe and calm, working with them to identify and resolve issues and concerns, as well as supporting them through their sentence to engage in development and rehabilitation activity.

You’ll need to deal with the more challenging aspects of prison life such as abusive and violent behaviour – full training is given prior to starting to support with these situations. A willingness to understand trauma and its impact on behaviour is also important. You’ll be working with all sorts of residents including those on long sentences, short sentences, those convicted of serious crime and vulnerable individuals. You will be liaising with all departments to help support our culture of decency and rehabilitation.

Why become a PCO?

There are many reasons this role could be the role for you, no two days are the same, the role is varied and offers a range of duties. Watching someone leave the facilities, equipped and ready to thrive and enjoy life again is rewarding and to know you have played a key part in their journey is special, even small improvements to someone’s life makes a difference.

What we need from you

Our great PCOs come to us with all kinds of work and life experience. Some have worked in retail, healthcare, call centers and as taxi drivers. Others are ex-military, police and security services personnel. The work you’ve done before doesn't matter. What matters is that you’re ‘made of the right stuff’ – the rest you will learn during our intensive 9 week training course and then on the job with the support of experienced colleagues.

As part of this role you will need to have a good level of English and Maths. Report writing and numbers checks are part of parcel of the role.

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs around 30,000 people, and partners with clients in many sectors across business and industry; schools and universities; sports and leisure; energy and resources; government and agencies; healthcare; justice and defence.

Sodexo’s connected; people-centric approach brings together a diverse range of expertise. The breadth of services it offers ranges from food and hospitality; cleaning; reception; concierge (Circles); security; property management and technical services through to data driven workplace strategy and design (Wx); employee engagement and recognition services (Sodexo Engage) and personal home services through Prestige Nursing + Care and the Good Care Group.

Sodexo is committed to being an inclusive employer; we welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.

Please note all roles within Sodexo Justice are subject to security and recruitment checks which may include a Social Media Check. You will also be asked to provide 5 years’ worth of references and request employment history details from the HMRC.

Starting salary £26,595.25 per annum for the first year, rising to £27,659 per annum after 1 years’ service. Further increases to £28,722 per annum after 2 years’ service, £30,272 per annum after 3 years’ service and £31,845 per annum after 4 years’ service.

Additional benefits you can look forward to:

• All meals provided whilst on-site
• Free parking
• Free on-site gym and subsidised gym memberships
• 28 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays)
• BUPA Healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to 24/7, 365 days support on a range of topics – work, relationships, legal, financial to name but a few
• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Perks at work employee discounts across hundreds of high street shops for fashion, holidays, electronics, gaming supplies, cinema tickets and much more

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process

Please note all roles within Sodexo Justice are subject to security and recruitment checks which may include a Social Media Check. You will also be asked to provide 5 years’ worth of references and request employment history details from the HMRC. In addition post holders will be subjected to an Enhanced Disclosure Scotland check prior to being employed.