General Information: Business Unit: Bulingdon, Deerbolt, Elmley, Highpoint, Norwich, Onley, Portland, Stocken, Swinfen Hall, The Mount, The Verne, Wayland. Date published: 27-Aug-2026. Working time: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working. Closing date: 17-Sep-2026. Civil Service Grade: AO. Job ID: 21684

Job description

HMP Welland Oaks - First time prison officer recruitment scheme. Sponsorship is not guaranteed. Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available, but unlikely for this campaign. Applicants must have right to work in the UK.

Launch your prison officer career with HMP Welland Oaks: a current Category B training prison opening early 2029. Successful candidates begin in an established prison for 23 months then transfer permanently to HMP Welland Oaks.

Eligibility

- Be at least 18 years old at the point you commence employment
- Meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements (see nationality section below)
- Pass a medical and fitness assessment as part of the application process
- Meet the required eyesight standard in both eyes (both with and without corrective lenses)
- Have a suitable standard of hearing (without the use of hearing aids)

Travel to Work: Some prison establishments are located in rural areas; a driving licence and own transport is beneficial but not essential unless specified. Applicants must be able to get to and from work on time.

Nationality Requirements

- UK nationals
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries with right to work in the UK
- Nationals of EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Nationals of EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under EUSS
- Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020




- Turkish nationals and certain family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Essential Skills

- Communication and influencing skills
- Commitment to quality
- Effective decision‑making
- Caring and understanding

Pay

Your pay will depend on which prison you work at and your weekly shift hours. The figures below are based on a 37 hour contract.

Starting Salary £34,928 – HMP Deerbolt, HMP Norwich, HMP Onley, HMP Portland, HMP Swinfen Hall, HMP The Verne, HMP Wayland.

Starting Salary £36,428 – HMP Highpoint*, HMP Stocken*, HMP The Mount*.

Starting Salary £38,428 – HMP Bullingdon*, HMP Elmley*.

On transfer to HMP Welland Oaks after your first 23 months, your pay will change to match the salary paid at that prison.

You Will Also Get:

- Your accommodation costs paid (up to £750 per month) for up to 23 months.
- Reclaim the cost of a monthly trip from your deployed prison to the prison closest to your home.
- Recruitment and retention bonus of £1,500 after the first 12 month and 23-month period.

Prisons operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you will cover evening, some nights, weekends, public holidays.

Benefits

- 25 days’ annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service)
- Paid time off for public holidays and 1 extra privilege day
- Civil Service pension of up to 20% of your salary
- Cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits

Assessment Process

- Communicating and influencing
- Managing a quality service
- Making effective decisions
- Caring

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of Civil Servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

Disability Support

As a Disability Confident employer, the Ministry of Justice is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, through adjustments throughout the recruitment process and workplace.

Please refer to additional job description attachment.

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📌 21684 - HMP Welland Oaks – First Time Prison Officer Scheme
🏢 Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB)
📍 Welland