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Overview
HMPPS requires a strong pipeline of talent to provide strong and effective leadership
to assure future performance. Research into prisons has identified good leadership
as crucial for creating rehabilitative environments.
The Future Prison Leaders Programme is a talent intervention to attract individuals
with the potential to become future operational leaders and to develop them to a high
standard. To provide the selected participants with comprehensive operational
experience, they will rotate through roles as Prison Officer, Custodial Manager (CM),
and Head of Function (HoF). This rotation will help participants develop a thorough
understanding of prison systems and enhance their operational skills.
To prepare for these roles, a comprehensive suite of experiential and training
opportunities are provided to support positive learning transitions. This suite includes
a two-week induction, eight-week Foundation Training; Enable Package training for
CMs and HoF; guidance on reviewing Personal Development Plans; and immersive
experience days with reflective practice time. Participants must also maintain
Reflective Professional Journals throughout their placements and meet the
requirements for progression and development throughout the programme.
Support will be available from various sources, including their cohort (both informally
and through action learning sets), mentors, and line managers.
Year One - Prison Officer
Your first year will see you working on the frontline as a prison officer. This is where,
alongside your leadership development, you will learn the realities of working on the
ground and building positive and meaningful interactions with prisoners.
Skills you need to be a prison officer:
• empathy
• great communication skills
• self-confidence
• an ability to think on your feet
• resilience
• to be a team player
Working in a prison is fast-paced and varied. You will be trained for all kinds of
situations, from keeping the prison safe to helping prisoners learn new skills.
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This will include:
• how to look after people in custody
• search and security procedures
• use of prison radios and keys
• how to de-escalate challenging situations
• control and restraint techniques
As a prison officer, you will have responsibility for some prisoners. You will meet with
them regularly to support their rehabilitation. This might involve encouraging them to
take part in education, substance recovery programmes and to maintain links with
family members.
The prisoners you work with will depend on the type of prison.
During year one you will prepare to take your Custodial Manager Assessment.
Year Two- Custodial Manager
Custodial Managers oversee prison activities across multiple departments, manage
staff, ensure safety and security, and coordinate daily operations. The role includes
incident management, staff development, and effective communication to ensure a
rehabilitative environment. Custodial Managers also handle reporting, resource
allocation, and collaboration across departments to support the smooth functioning
of the prison.
Year Three - Heads of Function
Heads of Function are pivotal in managing specific operational or non-operational
areas within a prison establishment. They ensure effective service delivery, oversee
staff performance, and maintain a safe environment, all while contributing to the
prison’s strategic objectives.
These leaders support and guide their teams to deliver positive outcomes for people
in custody, driving change and exemplifying the behaviours and standards expected
within His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). Depending on the needs
of the prison, Heads of Function may be responsible for areas such as security,
operations, or other specialised functions.
In addition to their management duties, Heads of Function are involved in incident
management, policy implementation, and resource allocation. They play a crucial
role in staff development, ensuring their teams possess the necessary skills and
competencies to perform their duties effectively. Overall, they are key leaders within
the prison, ensuring that all aspects of their designated function run smoothly and
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contribute to the overall safety, security, and rehabilitative environment of the
establishment.
Becoming a future prison leader
Upon successful completion of the leadership programme, you will be a permanent
head of function. You should also have gained the necessary knowledge and
experience to take an assessment to see if you are ready to progress to be a deputy
governor.
Reporting into a prison’s governing governor, a deputy governor is a senior manager
who is accountable for providing leadership and direction, making strategic decisions
and managing risks in a prison.
Technical Requirements
Job holders must complete specific training in their specialism once they take up
post. All candidates are required to pass various recruitment stages including an
Assessment Centre; these include a written assessment, role plays, medical
assessment, and a fitness test. If successful in your application, your continuation in
this role is dependent on passing all modules within the initial Foundation Training,
which is a pathway to becoming a fully competent Prison Officer. Failure to
successfully complete and pass Foundation Training could result in your removal
from this role and may result in the termination of your employment.
Following completion of the Foundation Training you will be subject to a 12-month
probationary period. Moving from Prison Officer to Custodial Manager you will
require the endorsement from your line manager and Governing Governor via the
CMAC Readiness Assessment. You will also be required to complete the CMAC
Portfolio (embedded into the Reflective Learning Journal).
Ability
• Fitness Standard
• Medical Standard
• Numerical Ability
• Successful completion of Foundation training and probation period
• Must be trained in restraint techniques
Minimum Eligibility
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up
post.
• All external candidates are subject to 12 months’ probation.
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• Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a
probationary period within HMPPS.
• All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or
organisation which HMPPS consider to be racist.
Responsibilities and Duties
Each role has a specific set of responsibilities and duties which must be performed to
HMPPS standards. These may include maintaining security and order within the
prison, supervising, and managing staff and prisoners, implementing policies,
overseeing daily operations, and ensuring the safety and rehabilitative environment
of the establishment.
Working pattern
Prisons need 24/7 coverage and most prisons work on a rolling shift pattern of 39
hours. Your shift patterns will include some nights, weekends, and public and bank
holidays (any public or bank holidays you work will be added to your annual leave
allowance).
Your salary will reflect the number of hours you work (37, 39 or 41 hours a week).
Shifts usually follow regular hours, although the start and finish time may vary
depending on your prison. Prisons run to tight time schedules so you will need to
plan your travel to ensure you are at work and ready to start your shift on time.
https://prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk/roles-at-hmpps/prison-officer/life-as-a-prison-
officer
Unsocial Hours Working
This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a 20% payment will be paid in
addition to your basic pay to recognise this. Unsocial hours are those hours outside
0700 - 1900hrs Monday to Friday and include working evening, nights, weekends,
and Bank / Public holidays
Work-life balance options may be available after you have completed your initial
training. You will need to talk to your line manager about this.
A range of employee benefits
As well as a generous annual leave allowance and one of the best pension schemes
in the UK, you will enjoy a range of great Civil Service benefits.
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