Better places, thriving communities.
Detainee Custody Officer – Short-Term Holding Facility
Join Us and Make a Difference
Short‑Term Holding Facility DCO: Salary £28,822 based on 42 hours per week. Assessment centre on 31st March 2026; start date 5th May 2026.
Who We're Looking For
We’re looking for respectful, caring, and resilient individuals to join our team. If you have:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- A calm and non‑judgemental approach
- Great problem‑solving abilities
- The ability to stay composed under pressure
Then this could be the perfect role for you!
What You'll Be Doing
As an In‑Country Escorting DCO at the Vehicle Base, you'll be responsible for:
- Escorting and transporting immigration residents within the UK
- Driving a small minibus‑sized vehicle and ensuring the safe transportation of those in your care
- Maintaining high security and safety standards while treating residents with dignity and respect
As an In‑Country Escorting DCO at the Short‑Term Holding Facility you'll be responsible for:
- Providing care to immigration residents in a fixed location
- Maintaining high security and safety standards while treating residents with dignity and respect
This role requires flexibility, as you will work a mix of day and night shifts, covering a 24/7, 365‑day operation.
No Experience? No Problem!
No prior experience or qualifications are needed—full training and support will be provided. If you have experience handling challenging situations or working with people in distress, it would be a plus.
Your journey begins with a 4‑week paid training course, including a control and restraint training course. Over the next 13 months, you'll receive on‑the‑job mentoring and assessments, leading to an accredited Level 3 Apprenticeship in Detention and Custody.
Why Join Us?
- ⭐ Work‑life balance – structured shifts for stability, up to 1 year in advance so you can plan your goals and travel.
- Career growth – start with a Level 3 Apprenticeship, with opportunities for leadership roles.
- ⭐ Continued personal development with full support given to enhance your career.
- ⭐ Free parking and uniform.
- Training: 4‑week fully paid training course.
- ⭐ A great selection of benefits incl. access to online GP services, share options and a generous holiday allowance.
- ⭐ Pension and Life assurance.
- ⭐ Reward & Recognition scheme.
- ⭐ Discounts – cinema, online shopping discounts, leisure centre memberships, holidays, and Health & Wellbeing Benefits.
- ⚡️And as a DCO, you can apply for a Blue Light discount card.
Essential Requirements
- Be a UK Citizen, a Commonwealth Citizen with indefinite leave to remain (not through marriage), or an EEA Citizen.
- Hold a valid UK passport (expired visas in out‑of‑date passports cannot be accepted).
- Have lived in the UK continuously for the past 3 years, with no single absence over 3 months.
- Pass an Enhanced DBS check, employer referencing (last 5 years), and Counter‑Terrorist Check (CTC) vetting.
- Hold a full UK manual driving licence (at least 12 months of experience).
- Have fewer than 7 points on your licence and no driving bans in the last 12 months.
- Be over 21 years of age.
- We require that employees are not under the influence of any substance that may impair their ability to perform their duties safely. This includes any THC‑based prescriptions. If you are prescribed medication that may affect you, please discuss with us during the recruitment process.
- Random drug and alcohol testing programme; participation is a condition of employment.
- IMPORTANT: If you do not have a valid UK passport and a full UK manual car driving licence, we cannot proceed with your application.
Application Process
- Interview
- Capability assessments
- Full vetting screening