FAQ
General FAQs
- What should I wear to my online assessment centre?
The dress code is smart casual.
- What should I do if I have technical issues when trying to connect to the online assessment
centre on
the day of my assessment?
If you are or believe you may have any technical issues when connecting to the online assessment centre please call us immediately on 0345 241 5358 (press option 1 for prison officer recruitment).
- I have visible tattoos - is that an issue?
Tattoos are permitted, including those that are visible, as long as they are not deemed as offensive in any way.
- Can I wear glasses or contact lenses for the eye test?
We will test your vision in both eyes with and without glasses or contact lenses (if you wear them). We need to test your uncorrected vision, so this means that you will need to remove your contact lenses or glasses.
Please remember to bring contact lens solution if you will need to put your lenses back in.
- I have reasonable adjustments which need to be taken into consideration at the online
assessment
centre- what should I do?
You were able to inform us of any reasonable adjustments within the application form.
If you have a disability or need reasonable adjustments and didn’t inform us of this during the application process, please contact us as soon as possible.
Call us on: 0345 241 5358
Or email us: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
- What is the process after interview and how long does it take to find out your results?
You should receive your results within 3-5 days of your assessment. As soon as a vacancy becomes available, we'll contact you to make a provisional offer of employment subject to passing pre-employment checks and medical and fitness.
- How long does the application process take?
The process can take up to 6-9 months and you can select your preferred start date.
- Is there support for working mothers within the prison service?
We have a lot of working within the prison service. We want to make sure that you are happy at home and happy at work. As a working parent, you will need to work shifts and It is every other weekend as a prison officer on shift, but we can also consider applications for work life balance. We have excellent maternity and paternity support.
- How far in advance do you know your shift pattern?
Within the first week of induction or prior to start if required you have your shifts ahead and planned for 6 months in advance.
- What does a typical shift look like?
Shifts are very varied in duties and tasks and shift length is anything from 5 hours to 12 hours.
- Would you be paid the usual leave if you became pregnant during your probation period?
You have to have your full 52 weeks in service to then be entitled to enhance maternity HMPPS pay although SMP is paid to everyone.
- Can I change my location once I have started in an establishment?
Moving establishments will be restricted to promotions and advertised campaigns only.
- How many prisoners would I have to supervise at any one time?
We work in risk assessed ratios, 3 officers and a supervising officer for a wing of 60.
- I have a temporary injury so I won’t be able to complete the medical/fitness test - what should
I
do?
Contact us so that we can reschedule your medical/fitness.
Call us on: 0345 241 5358
Or email us: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
- When will I find out the results of my online assessment centre?
You will find out the results of your online assessment centre within three working days of attendance.
- How do I claim back my expenses for attending my assessment centre?
To claim back expenses please complete this form and email it to candidateclaims@justice.gov.uk
- Why is my salary stated in my contract different to what was advertised?
We offer a market force supplement for some of our sites and this is not included in the main contract but it is attached as a separate letter giving details of the additional allowance. These 2 sums should equate to the salary advertised.
- What happens if I am unsuccessful at my online assessment centre?
If you are unsuccessful at your online assessment centre and would still like to become a prison officer, you will need to wait 6 months before you can reapply for the same or a different prison.
You might also like to take a look at other roles within HMPPS, such as the operational support grade job where you’d play a crucial part in keeping prisons safe and running smoothly.
- Can I transfer my online assessment centre from an Adult establishment to a Youth
establishment?
After passing your online assessment centre, you will need to pass additional assessments in order to work with young people.
This will involve taking additional assessments during a separate online assessment centre. Please apply for the relevant vacancy and contact
moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
to inform them that you have already passed.
- I am unhappy with an element of the prison officer assessment process (e.g. Online Test, online
assessment centre, Reasonable Adjustment Scheme), who can I contact?
If you have a complaint or feedback relating to the prison officer assessment process, please contact
sscl-arc-queries@gov.sscl.com.
and one of our team will be able to respond to your email.
- Will I be required to work shifts?
There is a requirement to work shifts, these will include night shifts. Day shifts typically start between 6:30am and 7:30am depending on your department and depending on the length of shift the day shifts can finish between 8:30 pm and 10:00pm. You can be required to work weekends and bank holidays including Christmas and New years for example.
- Do I need to wear a uniform?
Being a prison officer is being part of a uniformed service. You will be provided with a uniform that you must wear to work every day.
- Do I ever need to use force?
As an Officer you will be working within what can sometimes be a hostile environment. You will be managing prisoners with a host of issues and a diverse range of attitudes and risks. Safety of staff and prisoners is paramount, and you will be working in a team to make sure you and all in your care are kept safe. You will be trained to deal with these issues during your initial training and will be supported when working within the prison environment.
Part of your training will be use of Force, force is to be used as a last resort to gain compliance. All force must be proportionate and must be legally used. At some point during your career you will be required to use force to keep yourself or those around you safe. You will be expertly trained in the legal and Physical sides of this during your initial training. You will also be refreshed on this training yearly and validated by expert trainers. This is to make sure you are kept safe and those in your care are kept safe
- Is there any progression available?
There are lots of opportunities to work in various areas within the prison. Initially you may be deployed within a residential setting but there are many departments such as reception, visits, healthcare, Dog section and many more. There are many opportunities to progress your career through promotion and once you have passed your initial probation period of one year, you are able to apply to for promotion.
-
General Queries
Call us on: 0345 241 5358 (press option 1 for prison officer recruitment)
Or email us: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
Officer Apprentices (OA) Specific FAQs
- What time does training start and finish?
Monday day one of every week starts at 13.00. This is the time that you should be ready and correctly attired to start your training. If you are staying in one of our residential sites (Newbold, Stirling House, Lilleshall) You may want to arrive earlier to prepare. Keys are available on Mondays from 10.00. Tuesday to Thursday class times are 08.00 to 17.00 with an hour for lunch. Fridays are 08.00 to 12.00 to allow time for travel home.
- Is the final Officer Apprentice summative assessment a written exam?
There is no longer a summative assessment for foundation training.
- Do we take the fitness test again as part of the Officer Apprentice training?
No, you will not be required to take your fitness test again. You will need an in date fitness test and this should be in date for he duration of your foundation training.
- I have coeliacs and dairy, egg and meat intolerance (plus other foods that I cannot have) –
will Newbold be able to cater or is there a facility where I can make my own food?
The catering team will sit down with you and go through a menu suitable for your needs all housing blocks have fridges in the kitchen area along with a microwave
- Does Newbold provide all meals during foundation training?
Yes, you are provided with Breakfast, Lunch and Evening meal. There is also a coffee shop and a bar where you can purchase food and snacks at your own expense. The coffee shop opening times 07:30 to 16:00 Bar opening times 1900 to 22.00 last orders.
- I will be travelling by train and have checked the timetables – do you know what time the
course finishes on a Friday so I can book tickets in advance and get the best price?
It is a 13.00 start on Monday and 12.00 finish on Friday for Prison officer apprentices.
- Can I claim travel expenses back – if yes how do I do this?
Yes, you can claim travel expenses, but you need to do this back at your home establishment. They will make you aware of what you are entitled to.
- Do you know if there are taxis available at Rugby station that can take me to Newbold?
Yes, there are taxis available at Rugby Station that can take you to Newbold.
- Are the rooms at Newbold are they shared or individual?
All rooms are individual.
- Do they have their own bathrooms?
All rooms have their own washing and showering facilities.
- What is provided in the rooms?
There are storage cupboards for clothes, desk and chair, hair drying facilities. There are no tea and coffee making facilities in the room but there is access to hot water at the end of each landing.
- I assume I bring my own towels, toiletries etc?
Yes, you need to bring your own toiletries, Towels are supplied
- Does the room have wifi?
Yes there is free wi-fi across the estate.
- Are we allocated one room for the whole of foundation training – if yes can I leave items in
the room over the weekend?
A small amount of items can be left in the rooms at your own risk these need to be placed in the wardrobe so the cleaners can clean the room.
- Ws there a gym which we can use in the evenings?
Yes, there is a gym FOC. You will need to complete an induction and fill out a PARQ. Opening times are currently 1200 till 2000.
-
On the first Monday will we be able to access our rooms before the course starts so we can change
into our uniform?
Currently you need to have a covid test before getting your key, but the keys are available from 10 am every Monday.
-
It states we will be wearing uniform in the classroom can I check the black shoes are provided as
on my uniform request I asked for boots?
Learning and Development do not stock or issue Uniform. All uniform issues and requests need to be addressed by your establishment and their procurement/stores. We do hold a very small amount of uniform that has been donated by trainers but this amounts to a few shirts, blouses and trousers and is for emergency issue only. We do not have any footwear.
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If my uniform does not fit will Cookham have spares that I can swap for?
As above this is an establishment issue and your line manager, Head of business Assurance or Establishment stores would be able to advise.
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Hairstyles – does long hair need to be in a bun for example?
Yes, Hair must be worn off the collar so long hair would be required to be worn in a bun or tied up.
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The Governor has let me know I will be completing an apprenticeship now, do you have any details
on this?
We do have details on the C&D level three apprenticeship. These can be supplied by our apprenticeships team or alternatively you can approach your apprenticeships coach. You can also access information regards the Apprenticeship standards on the internet if you type in institute for apprenticeships and in the search box type in Custody and detention.
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Do you have any details on the YCS Apprenticeship?
The Apprenticeship that the YCS are completing is the Level 4 - Children, young people and families practitioner. We do not have information on this, but you should be able to obtain information locally or their will be information on the institute for apprenticeships. if you type in institute for apprenticeships and in the search box type Children, young people and families practitioner
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Is there any pre reading for the apprenticeships?
At present there is no pre reading for the apprenticeships. This may change as we move to delivering some of our training digitally.
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I assume I need to bring a laptop, stationary etc?
No stationary will be provided. If you would like to bring your laptop for personal use you may do so. It may also prove useful as we move to digital delivery.