Assessments
This is a half day assessment, completed online. We test to see if you have the abilities, behaviours and strengths to be a prison officer. There will be short breaks in between each assessment, but not during assessments. The assessments are designed to reflect the reality of the prison officer role. Therefore, they will contain strong language and cover sensitive topics that could be potentially distressing.
Numerical Test
Written Test
Role Plays
Interview
Assessment Criteria
During the online assessment centre you will be assessed on the behaviours, strengths and abilities outlined below.
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
Caring
Abilities and Strengths
Abilities
Strengths
English and Maths - Functional Skills Check
Before any successful candidate starts their new prison officer role, we will need to ascertain what Functional Skills Level in English and Maths you currently possess. This check will not form part of pre-employment checks. It is a standard check related to any potential apprenticeship enrolment. All new prison officers starting in England from summer 2021 will be auto enrolled onto the Custody and Detention Apprenticeship so it is vital that we are able to capture what qualifications in English and Maths you currently possess. This is to ensure that the right level of Functional Skills training and support is delivered during your apprenticeship.
Functional skills are practical skills in English and Maths that allow individuals to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and work. The level of functional skill general co-insides with the structure of the national Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) that is outlined below.
University / Higher Education
Apprenticeships
Further Education / Learning Provider
School / Sixth Form
Level 8 |
PhD / Doctorate
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Level 7 |
Masters Degree
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Level 6 |
Bachelors Degree
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Level 5 |
Foundation Degree
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Higher National Diploma
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Level 4 |
Higher National Certificate
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Higher Apprenticeship
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Level 3 |
A-Level
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L3 Award, Cert., Diploma
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Advanced Apprenticeship
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Level 2 |
GCSE (Grades A*-C / 9-4)
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L2 Award, Cert., Diploma
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Intermediate Apprenticeship
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Level 1 |
GCSE (Grades D-E / 3-2)
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L1 Award, Cert., Diploma
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Entry Level 3 |
National Curiculum Levels 1, 2 & 3 (GCSE Grades F-G / 2 - 1)
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Entry Level 3 Certificate
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Entry Level 2 |
Entry Level 2 Certificate
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Entry Level 1 |
Entry Level 1 Certificate
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In order to complete the Custody and Detention apprenticeship you will need to have achieved Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths. If you do not currently possess a qualification to evidence this level, you will be supported throughout the apprenticeship to achieve this.
Maths and English Help
Tips to help you improve your maths and english ability:
How can you evidence what English and Maths Functional Skills you already possess at online assessment centre?
- Original Qualification Certificates - A wide range of UK and international qualification certificates can be used as evidence of English and Maths Functional Skills level. The most common example for level 2 is GCSE certificates in English and Maths (grades A* - C / 9-4). A full list of the qualifications that can be used are listed here (see embedded attachment). We are only looking for the highest English and Maths qualification. Please only provide original certificates of your highest English and Maths qualification at online Assessment Centre. If you no longer possess your original certificates you may be able to get a replacement certificate or certified statement of results from the exam board who originally issued the certification.
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept by reading this document.