HM Prison Service - Intensive Development Scheme

This probably isn't the first graduate scheme you've looked into and, more than likely, it won't be the last. However, what will make our Intensive Development Scheme stand out from the rest is the truly exceptional careers we can offer.

To see if the Prison Service is right for you, ask yourself the following questions.

Do I want my work to make a real difference to people's lives?
Do I want to work with people from all walks of life?
Do I want a career where no two days are the same?
Do I want a career with real responsibility early on?
Do I want to progress as high as I can, as fast as I can?

If the answer to one, or more, of these questions is ‘yes' – we strongly recommend you read on.

What it is like working in the Prison Service?
People are often shocked by how ‘normal' life is on the inside. But with around 75,000 prisoners in our care at any one time – 99.9% of whom will return to society – maintaining routine and ‘normality' is vital.

Like most other organisations, we realise that our staff are our biggest asset. That's why we guarantee to recognise talent at all levels, tailor career development opportunities to meet individual needs and provide effective support and training wherever, and whenever, it's needed.

What does the Intensive Development Scheme involve?
Firstly you'll complete full training to become a Prison Officer, followed by up to 12 months carrying out the full range of Prison Officer duties.

Then you will progress to Senior Officer with responsibility for a group of staff. Your next move will then be to Trainee Operational Manager (a middle management governor position).Your speed of progression will be determined by your own ability.

At each stage you will sit the key assessment centres and will be supported by the Leadership and Management Development programme with both on and off the job mentors and a dedicated training programme. Within 2½ - 3 years of joining the scheme you could be head of a busy unit, or function, within a prison. Beyond that, progression will only be limited by your potential.

Who are we looking for?
With approximately 43,000 staff, around 75,000 prisoners and 138 prisons – our organisation, culture and working practices are so diverse we need a wide range of people to join us.

The people we employ are from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, but there are some eligibility requirements that need to be met to be considered for the scheme. All candidates will need the following:

Meet minimum eligibility requirements.
Must be a graduate
Must be willing to commit to spending your time on the scheme in one area of the country. When you join the scheme we will ask you to nominate a geographical area or areas where you would be able to work. We will always try to meet your first choice but you need to know this is not guaranteed. Once your area is agreed we will commit to your staying in that area for your time on the scheme. After that your choice to relocate to develop your career further is up to you.

How can I apply?

We are currently reviewing our graduate and internal fast track entry scheme and therefore will not be running an IDS campaign this autumn.

After a period of consultation across the Service, and in line with the future needs of the organisation, we plan to launch a new fast track scheme in Autumn 2009. We remain committed to attracting high calibre future managers into the Prison Service and we will ensure that any new scheme attracts the right people with the right skills to fill the needs of the organisation.

Those members of staff currently on the Intensive Development Scheme will not be affected by the review, and will continue through the scheme as normal.