HMP Northumberland are recruiting for Operational Support Officers (OSOs)

Sodexo Justice aims to change lives for the better by reducing reoffending and improving the quality of life for those under our supervision and in our care. We deliver safe, effective and innovative custodial and community rehabilitation services that challenge offending behaviour, protect the public and offer individuals the opportunity to change their lives for the better.

As a working prison, we work towards the resettlement of residents upon their release into the community and their integration into society through the skills acquired while in our care. We are committed to supporting people to change their lives for the better and lead law-abiding lives. HMP Northumberland offers a variety of initiatives and programmes to help residents engage within the prison’s rehabilitative culture. This includes various educational and vocational qualifications, as well as a variety of opportunities for residents to learn new skills within our workshops and industries departments. We have textile, engineering and electrical workshops and can offer prisoners experience in horticulture, market gardens, cleaning, waste management and laundry services on site.

Being over 4 miles in circumference, the prison is a vast space with exceptionally kept plantation and currently houses over 1300 residents with a range of sentence terms.

Recruitment process:

• Start Date of course: 13^th February 2023. The training course will last for 5 weeks and you must be available for the full 5 week period from 13^th February to 17^th March 2023.
• Number of Jobs Available – 10

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications.

Salary £19,276.68 per annum, rising to £19,872.72 after two years and £20,468.77 after 4 years.

39 hour shift pattern working week, including evenings, every other weekend, regular night shifts and bank holidays.

Sodexo offers the best range of employee benefits on the market. From discounts that reduce the cost of the weekly shop, to exclusive deals on holidays and keeping active. Our award-winning employee benefits platform offers everything YOU need to make life that little bit better every day.

• Health and wellbeing incentives
• Training and development opportunities
• Reward and Recognition schemes
• Flexible working considered
• Volunteering days
• Cycle to work scheme
• Life Assurance
• Free meals and parking on site
• 28 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Subsidised gym membership

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

Post holders will be subjected to an advanced DBS check, a prison security check (level 2) prior to being employed.

Please note: initial communication will be via email, please monitor your junk and spam folders to ensure you are aware of next stage requirements.

• Provide an efficient and effective support service to operational staff in designated locations within the prison, including Gatehouse, Control Room, Visits, Security, Stores and Residential control areas.
• Operate and monitor security and supervision systems within the prison.
• Operate and input data into Sodexo systems.
• Report any problems or concerns, potential breaches of security or Health and Safety hazards to the Duty Manager immediately.
• Ensure a thorough handover to incoming staff, making them fully aware of recent and forthcoming events.
• Undertake duties as required which contribute to the effective operation of the prison.
• Work in accordance with all Sodexo policies and procedures.

• High level of interpersonal skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Have a proactive approach to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.
• Have a proactive approach to Health and Safety.
• The ability to challenge inappropriate behaviour.
• Ability to perform tasks alone or in a team to a high standard without constant supervision.
• Proactive, systematic approach to tasks.
• Discretion to be displayed at all times and strict confidence to be maintained in all sensitive matters
• All mandatory training to be completed as and when required

Flexible Working

Our prison is active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and this affords our employees a huge amount of opportunity to work flexibly. We welcome applications for flexible working from day one of employment, and can consider condensed hours, part time working, fixed rest days, fixed shifts and just about any other possibility you would like us to look at. Quite simply, tell us the hours you would like to work, and when, and we will see if we can make this work for you, and us. We accommodate young families with childcare needs, people with other caring responsibilities, and as many other preferences as we can. Our belief is that if you can get great work life balance, you will be happier and perform better in this challenging role. Why not apply and talk to us about your needs? Let’s see what we can do!

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs around 30,000 people, and partners with clients in many sectors across business and industry; schools and universities; sports and leisure; energy and resources; government and agencies; healthcare; justice and defence.

Sodexo’s connected; people-centric approach brings together a diverse range of expertise. The breadth of services it offers ranges from food and hospitality; cleaning; reception; concierge (Circles); security; property management and technical services through to data driven workplace strategy and design (Wx); employee engagement and recognition services (Sodexo Engage) and personal home services through Prestige Nursing + Care and the Good Care Group.

Vital Spaces is Sodexo’s value proposition that puts people at the heart of everything we do, bringing together services and solutions and focusing on the productivity and wellbeing of people wherever they are.

Sodexo is committed to being an inclusive employer; we welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process