Location: Bedford Vehicle Base, MK44 1FD
Join us a Youth Escort Custody Officer (ECO) in Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS) where you’ll play a key role in helping keep the justice system safe and secure. In addition to job security and stability you'll receive:
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Initial Training Salary: £27,220 (35hrs pw)
- Graduated Base Salary: £31,108 (40 hrs pw), rising to £32,204 from 1st September 2026, with clear annual progression (Year 2: £32,988; Year 3: £33,723; Year 4: £34,482).
- Plus, additional earnings through a £600 per year driving allowance (subject to terms).
When combined with base salary and average overtime (8hrs pw), this gives a potential first-year income of £37,804!
We operate 24/6 across early and late shifts, so flexibility is essential. Finishing times can be unpredictable, and you may need to work beyond your contracted hours to meet operational demands. Shifts are set on a rota provided 12 weeks in advance, giving you visibility to plan ahead. Part-time working may be considered, but this must be across full working days, as reduced daily hours are not available.
Keep people safe. Keep justice moving.
As an ECO, you’ll be part of a crew delivering safe and secure transport and custody services for children and young people. You’ll collect them from secure settings and escort them to court, ensuring their welfare throughout and supporting their safe return or release. Duties include searching, managing behaviour and risk, supporting wellbeing, preventing harm or escape, and completing essential paperwork. Key responsibilities:
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Attend briefings and receive route and detainee details
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Carry out risk assessments and vehicle checks
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Liaise with secure establishments to confirm movements
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Engage and support young people during transport
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Share relevant information with court staff and supervise at court
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Return or hand over detainees and complete checks and paperwork
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Manage a range of situations while supporting vulnerable individuals
What you need to do the job!
Our ECOs come from a range of backgrounds—what matters most is you are reliable, trustworthy and compassionate, committed to safeguarding and treating people with dignity and respect. In return you’ll receive full training through a 5½-week paid training, plus ongoing support from experienced colleagues. Requirements of the role:
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Full UK driving licence (B/B1) essential
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Reasonable fitness for the physical demands of the role
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Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
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Ability to stay calm and make decisions under pressure
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Confidence managing behaviour and de-escalating conflict
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Teamwork and the ability to follow processes accurately
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Professionalism, integrity, and respect for confidentiality
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A genuine interest in working with children and young people
What we offer
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Holidays: 20 days (rising to 25 after 7 years’ service) plus bank holidays (pro rata’d)
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Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme (matched by Serco)
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Training and development: Structured induction (5½ weeks), ongoing learning, access to internal courses and qualifications, mentoring, and a strong focus on internal progression
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Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), support from mental health charity MIND, Simply Health cash and dental plans, wellbeing resources, discount on membership at Serco-run gyms
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Discounts: Savings across major retailers and experiences, including Merlin attractions, cinema, leisure, retail, hospitality, mobile plans, and more
Our recruitment process
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Online application inc. eligibility questions and online assessments
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Virtual assessment: Competency based interview, short roleplay and written exercise (online)
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Initial right to work and vetting documentation checks
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Job offer and confirmation of your training start date
Eligibility checks and further information
Job offers are subject to Ministry of Justice Enhanced Level 2 checks with Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance, satisfactory employment references and occupational health checks. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All roles are subject to random alcohol and drug testing.
This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office regulations. You must have the right to work in the UK. If you do have a visa, it must have at least two years remaining, and you must have at least one year’s UK residency (to enable required counter signatory checks by a recognised professional).
All colleagues share responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and must complete the required training and follow our safeguarding policies.
Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.
#pecs #youthescortcustodyofficer
About Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone. By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. 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 j&[email protected].
At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on j&[email protected] to discuss.
