Bedford Vehicle Base, MK44 1FD 

Permanent roles offering job stability & security

Working as a Youth Escort Custody Officer (ECO) in Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS) is more than just a role—it’s an opportunity to be part of a professional team that plays a vital role in the justice system, ensuring safety and security every day. We offer:

• Salary of £29,744 (40hrs pw). Training salary is £26,026 (35hrs pw). 
• Annual salary increments: Year 2 - £30,476, Year 3 - £31,154, Year 4 - £31,865. 
• Additional earnings through a £600 per year driving allowance (subject to terms). 
• A potential first-year income up to £35,344 with overtime (based on an average of 8 hrs overtime pw). 
• Pension (matched up to 6%), life insurance, 20 days annual leave (rising to 25 after 7 years) plus Bank Holidays. 
• Discounts on Merlin Attractions, mobile phones, cinema, leisure, retail, and hospitality. 
• Health and wellbeing support: Employee Assistance Programme, MIND, Simply Health Care, and Dental Plans.
  A supportive team and culture passionate about diversity and inclusion.

We are operational 24/6, and you’ll be expected to cover various early and late shifts, with a minimum of 40 hours per week. Flexibility is absolutely essential, as the nature of the role involves a wide range of different working arrangements and additional hours. There will be days when your finishing time is unpredictable, and you may need to work beyond your scheduled hours to meet the demands of the job.

We operate on a rota basis, which is provided 12 weeks in advance, allowing you to plan ahead.  This system ensures that, despite the long and often unpredictable hours, you will have the flexibility to enjoy meaningful time off to do the things you love.

About the Role:
As an ECO at our base, you'll be part of a dedicated crew providing safe and secure court transportation and custody services for children and young people. Your role involves collecting them from youth offender institutions or police stations and transporting them to courts, ensuring their physical and mental well-being throughout the journey. Once at court, you'll be responsible for their care until they return to custody or are released. This includes searching property and people, managing anxieties, preventing escape and harm, providing food and drink, and completing necessary paperwork.  

Key responsibilities:

• Start your day at the vehicle depot, attend briefing sessions, and receive route details and detainee information. 
• Conduct risk assessments, check the vehicle for necessary equipment, and ensure the appropriate vehicle is used for transport. 
• Contact secure establishments to confirm arrival times and gather any last-minute information. 
• Engage with young detainees during transport using conversation, use items from the activity bag keep them calm and informed. 
• Provide court staff with detainee information and behaviour details and supervise and support young detainees at court. 
• Return detainees to their establishments or hand them over to another crew, and complete vehicle checks and necessary paperwork.
• Manage the emotional demands of supporting vulnerable young people, always ensuring their well-being.

What you need to do the job!
Our ECOs come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. What matters most is your commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. You'll receive comprehensive training during a 5 1/2-week course and ongoing support from experienced colleagues. Requirements:

• Hold a current driver's licence (B/B1). 
• Be reasonably fit to handle the physical demands of the role. 
• Have strong written and verbal communication skills to manage and control various situations effectively. 
• A genuine interest in working with children and young people. 
• Capability to handle stressful and emotionally demanding situations with a calm and composed demeanour. 
• Ability to think on your feet and make quick, effective decisions in challenging situations. 
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the safety and well-being of detainees. 
• Meticulous in following protocols, conducting searches, and completing paperwork accurately. 
• Skilled in de-escalating conflicts and managing challenging behaviour effectively. 
• High ethical standards and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
• Sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds and needs of detainees, ensuring respectful and fair treatment.

Our Assessment Process:
Briefing call to assess eligibility -> Online Assessment -> Competency based Virtual Interview -> short role-play and written exercise.

Additional Information:
All roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and all offers of employment are subject to Ministry of Justice Enhanced Level 2 checks with Enhanced DBS (Adult & Child Barring) and satisfactory employment references. 

All staff have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable young adults. The post holder must undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office rules, as it does not meet the required salary or skill level criteria. Whilst we encourage applications to other roles, candidates who already have a valid right to work in the UK through other immigration routes or permissions must meet the below minimum eligibility criteria:

• Have at least two years remaining on your current visa
• Have lived in the UK for at least one year, as vetting process requires a counter-signatory from a recognised professional who has known you for that duration 

For general right-to-work guidance, please visit the UK Home Office website.  

#PECS
  

All Serco employees must ensure that their current line manager is aware of their application. For confidential enquiries, please contact MyHR. Serco are Disability Confident Leader employers and are committed to employing and retaining people with disabilities. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact [email protected].