If you are looking for a career where your work has a genuine impact on people’s lives, Detention Custody Officer Jobs in Gatwick could offer a meaningful opportunity to build your future in public services. Serco is recruiting full-time, permanent Detention Custody Officers at Gatwick Immigration Removal Centre in England.
This role is about much more than maintaining security. As a Detention Custody Officer, you will work directly with people who may be experiencing uncertainty, frustration, or vulnerability. Your ability to remain calm, communicate clearly, listen respectfully, and respond professionally can make a real difference to the environment around you.
The position offers structured training, career development opportunities, competitive salary progression, and a range of employee benefits. No previous custody experience is required, making this an opportunity for suitable candidates who have the right attitude, resilience, and commitment to working with people.
Details of Detention Custody Officer Job:
- Job Title: Detention Custody Officer Jobs in Gatwick 2026 – Apply Now
- Employer: Serco
- Location: Gatwick Immigration Removal Centre, Gatwick, England, UK
- Postcode: RH6 0PQ
- Job Type: Full-time, permanent
- Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week
- Shift Pattern: Day and night shifts, generally 6 to 12 hours
- Starting Salary: £30,000 per year
- Salary After Graduation: £31,064 per year
- Salary After 12 Months: £34,154 per year
- Work Arrangement: On-site
- Visa Sponsorship: Not available
About Serco:
Serco is a global public services organisation employing around 50,000 people across areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare, leisure, and citizen services.
The company focuses on delivering essential services and working with governments and communities to address complex public-service challenges.
Its stated values include Trust, Care, Innovation, and Pride, reflecting its focus on professional service delivery and the people who depend on those services.
About the Detention Custody Officer Role:
In an immigration removal facility, a Detention Custody Officer is crucial to preserving a respectful, safe, and secure atmosphere. Strong interpersonal skills are also necessary for successful officers, even if security is a crucial component of the job.
Different circumstances can arise every day. You might have to interact with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, address issues, handle challenging discussions, and assist in keeping things from getting worse. Professionalism, alertness, patience, and the self-assurance to make wise choices under duress are all necessary for the position.
This might be more than just another job for the appropriate person. It can develop into a career in public service where your deeds support dignity, safety, and efficient daily operations.
What Will You Do as a Detention Custody Officer?
Your responsibilities will include:
- preserving security and safety across the entire facility.
- establishing courteous and professional connections with residents.
- communicating well with individuals from different backgrounds.
- handling difficult circumstances coolly and competently.
- employing suitable de-escalation and conflict-resolution strategies.
- staying vigilant and reacting suitably when situations change.
- supporting the center’s orderly and safe operations.
- adhering to operational, safety, and security protocols.
- being impartial, kind, and free from needless criticism.
- collaborating productively with coworkers in various parts of the center.
What Skills Does Serco Look For?
You do not necessarily need previous experience in custody or immigration services. Serco is looking for people who demonstrate the right personal qualities and can successfully complete the required training.
You may be well suited to this position if you are:
- Calm and composed when situations become challenging.
- A confident communicator and attentive listener.
- Comfortable dealing with difficult conversations.
- Respectful toward people from different cultures and backgrounds.
- Able to work responsibly as part of a team.
- Physically and mentally prepared for an active working environment.
- Professional, reliable, and willing to follow procedures.
- Motivated by work that supports public services and people.
If you have experience in security, the military, policing, customer service, healthcare, hospitality, social care, or another people-focused environment, those skills may be valuable. However, the role provides dedicated training for successful applicants.
Training and Career Development:
The organized training program is one of this opportunity’s main benefits.
Successful applicants will finish a nine-week, fully compensated training program intended to get them ready for the duties of the position. Communication, conflict resolution, cultural sensitivity, and other skills necessary for operating safely and professionally inside the center are all included in training.
Following training, you may have the chance to advance your career and take on leadership or specialized roles at Serco.
Working Hours and Shift Patterns:
The role is based on an average of 40 hours per week and involves a variety of shift patterns.
Depending on the rota, officers may work:
- Day shifts.
- Night shifts.
- Shifts lasting approximately 6 to 12 hours.
- A structured rota designed around operational requirements.
- Paid breaks during night shifts.
Because the center operates continuously, applicants should be comfortable working different shifts, including nights and potentially weekends or public holidays, according to the rota.
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Location and Transport:
The position is based at Gatwick Immigration Removal Centre, RH6 0PQ.
Public transport options to the site are limited, so applicants should carefully consider their ability to travel to and from work. Serco indicates that candidates ideally live within approximately 30 miles of the site.
A free minibus service is available from Gatwick Airport’s Atlantic House, providing an additional transport option for employees.
Benefits of Detention Custody Officer Job:
- Competitive Salary Progression: Begin with an annual salary of £30,000, which will rise to £31,064 upon successful graduation and £34,154 following a full year of service.
- Fully Paid Professional Training: Finish a thorough nine-week paid training program that covers cultural sensitivity, communication, conflict resolution, security protocols, and critical skills for the custodial setting.
- Meaningful Public Service Career: Make a real difference by assisting in the upkeep of a respected, safe, and secure atmosphere while helping individuals through difficult and uncertain times in their lives.
- Strong Benefits Package for Employees: 224 hours of yearly leave, bank holidays, pension contributions matched up to 6%, free parking, subsidized lunches, a free daily meal, uniform, discounts, and access to the Blue Light Card.
- Clear Career Development Opportunities: Gain useful experience in public services and custody while honing transferable abilities that can help you advance into leadership, specialized, and other positions within Serco.
- Possibility Without Prior Custody Experience: If qualified applicants exhibit professionalism, resiliency, communication skills, and the capacity to maintain composure under pressure, they may be hired without prior custody or jail experience.
Who Can Apply?
This vacancy is open to candidates who already have the right to work in the UK. The position does not offer visa sponsorship.
Applicants should also be prepared to meet the required security and background-check conditions. Depending on individual circumstances, eligibility may typically involve:
- Appropriate UK immigration or residency status.
- At least three years of residence in the UK for the relevant checks.
- Home Office Counter Terrorist Check clearance.
- Enhanced DBS checks, including adult and child barring checks.
- Five years of checkable history.
Candidates should carefully review the employer’s current eligibility requirements before applying because security requirements can be specific to the role.
Application Process for Detention Custody Officer Jobs in Gatwick 2026:
The recruitment process is designed to assess whether applicants have the skills, attitude, and suitability required for the position.
The process may include:
- Online Application: Submit your application and provide the requested employment and eligibility information.
- Virtual Interview: Successful applicants may be invited to a one-hour interview through Microsoft Teams.
- Assessment Day: Candidates may take part in group exercises, a fitness assessment, and a site tour.
- Paid Training: Successful candidates must complete the nine-week training program, with full attendance required.
- Applicants should make sure that all information provided during the recruitment process is accurate and complete.
Why Consider a Career With Serco?
Justice, immigration, defense, transportation, healthcare, and other public services are just a few of the significant areas in which Serco provides services. Its workers provide services that governments and communities depend on on a daily basis.
This gives someone starting a career as a Detention Custody Officer the chance to hone transferable abilities in leadership, teamwork, communication, dispute resolution, and security awareness.
Those who prefer a structured workplace where professional development and training are integral to the career path may find the position appealing.
Inclusive Recruitment:
Serco states that it is committed to inclusive recruitment and considers applicants based on their skills and potential.
The company identifies itself as a Disability Confident Leader, a Great British Employer of Veterans, and a holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard.
Reasonable adjustments can be considered throughout recruitment and employment where appropriate.
Serco also operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for eligible applicants with disabilities, veterans, and people with convictions who meet the minimum job requirements, subject to the applicable conditions and security requirements.
The organisation also supports its Ban the Box commitment to fair access for people with unspent convictions, although some roles may have security-related exemptions.
Important Information Before Applying
Before submitting an application for a Detention Custody Officer position, make sure you understand the key requirements.
This is an on-site, full-time role involving day and night shifts. It is not a remote position, and applicants must already have the right to work in the UK because visa sponsorship is not offered.
The position can involve physically and emotionally demanding situations, so candidates should be comfortable working under pressure, communicating with different people, following strict procedures, and maintaining professionalism at all times.
Security clearance and background checks are an important part of the recruitment process.
Conclusion:
A career as a Detention Custody Officer is suited to people who want their work to have a practical purpose. You are not simply monitoring a secure environment; you are working with people, responding to challenging circumstances, supporting safety, and helping maintain a professional environment every day.
For candidates who are calm, respectful, resilient, and willing to learn, Detention Custody Officer Jobs in Gatwick can provide a structured starting point for a career in public services. With paid training, salary progression, employee benefits, and opportunities for professional development, this Serco position may be worth considering if you are ready for a demanding but meaningful career.
Does Serco provide visa sponsorship for this position?
No, this position does not provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom and meet applicable residency, security clearance, background check, and employment eligibility requirements before joining Serco.
Is previous custody experience required for applicants applying?
Previous custody experience is not necessarily required for applicants. Serco provides a nine-week fully paid training programme covering communication, conflict resolution, cultural awareness, and other essential skills needed to perform responsibilities safely and professionally.
What working hours are expected in this Gatwick role?
Employees work approximately 40 hours weekly on varied shift patterns. The position includes day and night shifts, generally lasting between six and twelve hours. Paid breaks are available during night shifts according to applicable arrangements and operational requirements.
