Detainee Custody Officer

Main Responsibilities

Detainee Custody Officer – Gatwick Immigration Removal Centre 

Location: Brook House, Perimeter Road South, Gatwick Airport, West Sussex, RH6 0PQ

Salary: £25,532.78 per annum or £10.67 per hour

Benefits include company pension, generous holiday entitlement and training and development

Full Time - 46 hours per week (Shift Work) 

We’re looking for people with good communication skills, empathy and integrity to join our team of Detainee Custody Officers at our privately owned Immigration Removal Centre near Gatwick Airport.

Working in an Immigration Removal Centre isn’t just about keeping people detained.  With a calm, firm but fair and non-judgemental approach, you’ll also need to be a listener, team player, counsellor, peacekeeper and social worker.  Working well in a disciplined, supportive and professional team is vital in this 24/7 environment.  All these qualities coupled with a vigilant and versatile approach are what makes a good DCO.

Whatever job you do now, you may have the skills to change your career.  This is what some of our Detention Custody Officers (DCO) have done.  All you need is commitment to do the right thing and the ability to build rapport with just about anyone.

This is a challenging role with no two days the same but there is a real opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives.  G4S is responsible for providing a safe environment for people being detained due to their immigration status. Our two Immigration Removal Centres, Brook House and Tinsley House can accommodate just under 600 male/female detainees with an ever changing population. In terms of your own development we can support you into a range of roles across the prison and beyond.  

The Centre operates 24 hours per day; 7 days a week, 365 days per year so there are a variety of shift patterns available between these times such as: Days, Nights, Earlies and Lates. All shift patterns agreed in advance over a rolling period to enable you to plan your work life balance accordingly.

The Ideal Candidate

As a natural communicator you will have excellent interpersonal skills including problem solving and conflict resolution, together with a real passion to provide care.

At G4S, we invest heavily in our people.  If you join us you’ll attend our comprehensive training programme to equip you with the skills and knowledge for the job. As well as ongoing support and development opportunities we offer competitive holiday entitlement, company pension, company sick pay, child care vouchers, free uniform, an onsite gym, free onsite parking and the chance to do an extraordinary job – every day.

Please note that these vacancies are subject to a 10 year checkable history and the strict vetting standards set by G4S and the Secretary of State for the Home Office and are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. You will be required to attend a Security Vetting Interview and achieve satisfactory Security Clearance. You must be eligible to work in the UK and must have been resident in the UK for a minimum period of 5 years. You will also need to provide full details of your employment and education history for the last 10 years as part of the security screening process for this role.

If you join us, you can be sure that you’ll find a secure, friendly and professional working environment and be given all the support, training and encouragement you need to build and develop a successful career with us