Does working in a prison, detention centre or any other custodial establishments sound like your dream job?
If you want to start a career in this industry then this is
the apprenticeship course for you…
Entry requirements
First things first, you need to check you’re eligible to take part in the apprenticeship course.
You need to be aged 18 or over, due to legal restrictions, and will hold a level 2 qualification in English and maths, or will achieve it by prior to gateway assessment. You also must attain the Ministry of Justice Commissioners license to practice prior to gateway assessment
Once you’ve taken part in the apprenticeship and are fully qualified, there are many jobs in the industry you’ll be able to apply for, such as a prison officer, custodial officer, detention officer and escorting officer.
Roles in this environment will involve working a variety of shifts 365 days a year including evenings, nights, weekends and holiday periods.
Job specification
You will play a key role in rehabilitation of those in your care, acting to build commitment to change to reduce reoffending and to coach people in skills such as problem solving and management of emotions. You will be expected to positively influence the lives of those in your care, by working with them on a daily basis in ensuring they take responsibility for their actions and welfare. This may include maintaining links with their families, addressing offending behaviours which may have contributed to their situation and to seek positive resolution to circumstances that will affect their re-integration to society.
Officers are frontline staff who have a duty to enforce and uphold legal decisions and follow process and procedure with integrity, honesty and professionalism.
Probation, custody services, working, apprenticeship, learning, apprentice
What to know before
Before you start the apprenticeship, you must have a key understanding and passion in:
- The causes of crime, and how you can help people turn their lives around
- The importance of having and demonstrating the values and behaviours that keep custodial environments safe and enable the people in them to concentrate on rehabilitation
- Rights and responsibilities of those in custodial care or detention
- Recognise and understand the impact of mental health issues on individuals and be able to provide support
- Caring for vulnerable people
- Recognise the signs of substance misuse and its impact on individuals and be able to access support
- The key principles and theories of violence reduction
- Health and safety procedures towards yourself and others
Skills needed
As this is a challenging position, you will need to be able to learn and develop skills throughout your career, some of these can include adapting your behaviour to suit the situation you’re involved in, treating all people with respect, be open and honest with staff and patients.
You will also need to be able to challenge individuals appropriately should you need to, you need to be confident to raise issues.
If you can work well as part of a team, be able to identify risks and communicate with third parties such as the police and NHS staff, then this may be the career for you.
Conclusion
The course will get you a Level 3 qualification in custody and detention officer and will be for a duration of 12 – 18 months.
Once you’re fully qualified and have your grade, you’ll be able to join the prison and probation service in whichever role suits you best. There’s always scope to move up the ladder and develop your skills and career further, if you wish.
We hope this blog gave you a further insight into this apprenticeship course, if you want to view our full apprenticeships, click here, or head to our social pages for more industry updates.