DETAINEE CUSTODY OFFICER - HEATHROW IRC (NOVEMBER 2020 COHORT)

JOB DETAILS

Detainee Custody Officer Are you looking for a new role where you can genuinely make a difference to people’s lives?  

We’re looking for respectful, diligent and caring people to join our team of Detainee Custody Officers (DCO).  Our philosophy is all about delivering brilliant service to the people in our care and creating great training, development and career opportunities for the people we employ. We will support you every step of the way, developing your skills to professionally deliver this rewarding, sometimes challenging role with integrity and respect.  Specialising in custodial management services we are responsible for managing Europe's largest Immigration Removal Centre (IRC), just outside Heathrow in UB7 0HB. We care for up to 1200 immigration detainees providing custody services, welfare, regime and recreational activity. 

Job Description

The COVID-19 pandemic has created various challenges across the UK and during this time we were able to keep all of it’s employees in full time work, delivering exceptional service as frontline key workers. Our DCOs responded with extraordinary courage and resilience, keeping those in our care safe and secure. You will be joining a team who’s job security is high based on delivering essential public services through this critical role. Working as a DCO within our team will provide you with the opportunity to maintain high standards of security and safety whilst promoting the welfare and decency of detainees staying at our immigration removal centre. This is a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same. As you gain experience within this challenging role, we’ll support you throughout your time to grow and develop. 

Salary and working hours   • Salary: £25, 006 (Currently under pay review with the Union) + Excellent benefits • Working Hours: 44 hours per week (shift work covering days and nights)  • Flexibility will be needed to work a mixture of short and long day shifts, with a set of 7 night shifts every 6 weeks, followed by 7 days off. • The centre is operational 24/7/365 and your rolling roster covering 51 weeks will help you plan your work/life balance. 

Who we’re looking for - 

Being a DCO demands people skills, patience, resilience and professionalism to handle an ever-changing day. Those in our care come from a variety of backgrounds and you will need communication skills to support colleagues, work together and deliver an exceptional service to our detainees.  Previous experience of sensitively dealing with a variety of people who have been agitated, confused or angry would be an advantage.  Training  Once you have passed our selection and vetting process, you’ll begin your Care and Custody career by undertaking our 7 week initial training course. You’ll then continue your development journey over the following 12 months culminating in the attainment of the Level 3 apprenticeship in detention and custody. Your development doesn’t end there, with opportunities to undertake both personal and professional courses the possibilities are endless.

Qualifications/Specific Requirements

Please note that all offers of employment are subject to security clearance and enhanced background checks. The DCO Apprenticeship course will be a mandatory requirement for this role which will last for the first 12 months of employment

Additional Information  

Benefits   • Accredited Level 3 apprenticeship in Detention and Custody  • Continued personal development with full support given to enhance your career  • Ability to achieve a work/life balance  • A benefits package including pension, private medical cover, share and MiDeals discount schemes with over 3000 offers available from your favourite retailers, leisure and utilities companies  • Free meals during working hours in addition to use of the IRC’s fully equipped gym  • The IRC is sited within the ‘Heathrow Free Flow’ – a free fare bus zone 7 week initial training course will commence on 2nd November 2020

REQUIREMENTS