About
Employer description
This apprenticeship is a role within the Civil Service. To see full details of the apprenticeship click on ‘apply’ to go to the Civil Service Jobs website.
Main description
This apprenticeship is a role within the Civil Service. To see full details of the apprenticeship click on ‘apply’ to go to the Civil Service Jobs website.
Advance into Justice is a recruitment scheme targeted at supporting those who have served in the Armed Forces and their families into employment within operational roles within HMPPS.
Advance into Justice is open to Armed Forces; Service Leavers, Veterans, Spouses/ Legal Partners & Reservists.
Eligible applicants who pass our assessment processes will be offered a 2 year fixed-term appointment within the option to convert to permanency, subject to approval, after 12 months, under Exceptions to the Civil Service recruitment principles.
All provisional offers will be held for a period of 12 months from the point of offer, to allow service leavers to plan for their exit from the Armed Forces.’
An extraordinay job. Done by someone like you.
As part of our prison support team, your work will be varied and help to keep the prison moving.
This is an active role where you will be doing a range of physical tasks. These can include lifting and carrying, plus long periods of standing and walking. There will also be periods of lone working whilst undertaking tasks on both day and night shifts.
You will not always be in contact with prisoners, it depends on the prison you work in. You will have full training and a supportive team by your side.
Your location preference will be captured on the on-line application form and you will be able to select a maximum of three prison locations.
Please be advised that some prison locations will require higher-level vetting checks (CTC, see further information below). Candidates who select a location that requires a higher level of clearance may have an extended vetting process to obtain the higher-level clearance required to access these locations. Candidates will be advised during the recruitment process.
Life as an OSG - Your job can include:
Gate duties
- Ensuring the secure entry and exit of staff, visitors, vehicles.
- Carrying out searches of staff, prisoners, visitors and vehicles
- Walking around the prison site to escort vehicles and contractors
- Issuing and collecting staff keys and radios
- Walking around the prison site patrolling and searching perimeter fence areas
Control room
- Operating the prison radio system
- Monitoring CCTV, ensuring all suspicious activities are reported.
Visits
- Welcoming visitors on their arrival
- Escorting them if needed
Correspondence
- Monitoring and logging mail coming into the prison
- Reporting any contraband items, preserving evidence where needed
Night duties
- Ensuring cell doors are locked and all prisoners are safely accounted for.
Reception
- Photographing prisoners
- Processing prisoners’ property and parcels coming into the prison.
Prisoner supervision
- Sometimes supervising prisoners
- Exchanging clothing and property
- Helping prison officers escort prisoners around the prison
Food delivery
- Walking around the prison delivering and collecting food trollies, or sometimes using an electric tug vehicle
Driving duties
- Collecting mail from the local sorting office, which may involve lifting heavy sacks.
Phone calls
- Monitoring the prison’s Personal Identification Number (PIN) phone system
- Maintaining the log of PIN phone requests from prisoners
- Completing relevant records
Procedures and protocol
- Understanding and conforming to national and local policies, responding appropriately to incidents and emergencies
You do not need any qualifications to do this job. Helping to keep a prison running smoothly and safely requires good judgement, common sense, responsibility and, above all teamwork.
Potential locations where you'll work
- Cowlinge, East of England, CB8 9YG :
- Chelmsford, East of England, CM2 6LQ :
- Oak Hill, East of England, IP12 3BF :
- Oak Hill, East of England, IP12 3JW :
- Griston, East of England, IP25 6RL :
- Bedford, East of England, MK40 1HG :
- Norwich, East of England, NR1 4LU :
- Badersfield, East of England, NR10 5GB :
- Chainbridge, East of England, PE15 0PR :
- West Perry, East of England, PE28 0SR
Training to be provided
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
To be confirmed
Training course
Customer service practitioner (level 2)
Training schedule
This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.
Entry Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in: English and Maths (grade C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills required
Click apply for details
Closing Date
The closing date for this job offer is on 27/08/2026
Salary
£30,491 a year
Location
This job is located in Various locations, East Anglia
More Information and How to Apply
About West Suffolk College
West Suffolk College is an ambitious vocational and academic College, with a stunning main campus set in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. We are committed to providing outstanding education to all our students.
