Apprenticeship training course

Custody and detention professional (level 3)

There are 2 training providers who offer this course.

Information about Custody and detention professional (level 3)

Ensuring individuals in custody and detention centres are held in a secure, safe, decent and fair environment.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Health and safety legislation and how to reduce the risk of harm or injury to oneself, colleagues and those in one’s care
  • Current risk management processes and how to apply them in your role
  • Policies and procedures relevant to the custodial environment in which you are working and how to operate these within the remit of your role
  • The main and critical aspects of security and how they contribute to the overall security of custody and detention environments
  • Legislation for recording and reporting in custody or detention environments
  • Use of force procedures and processes used in custody or detention environments summarising legislation, armed persons and medical implications
  • The importance of undertaking searches and how this contributes to the safety of the environment
  • The procedures relating to the management and use of keys
  • Processes for locking and unlocking of doors or cellular vehicles as appropriate to own area of work
  • Escorting or movement procedures within your area of custody or detention
  • How to signpost individuals to support services
  • The legislative requirements relating to equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Effective communication, knowing when to adapt to suit varied situations
  • The principles of dealing with security and incidents such as ‘first on scene’ and communication procedures relevant to your organisation
  • The range of behaviour patterns of an individual during conflict and the key principles and theories of violence reduction
  • How the professional’s role interacts with other organisations, agencies and stakeholders
  • Rights and entitlements of those in custodial care or detention
  • Impact of mental health issues on individuals
  • The importance of caring for vulnerable people who are at risk of self-harm or violence
  • Recognise the signs of substance misuse and its impact on individuals and social, health and economic wellbeing
  • Rehabilitation procedures and processes within your own organisation

  Skills

  • Undertake health and safety responsibilities in line with current legislation
  • Carry out risk assessment in line with organisational procedures (visual checks of areas & equipment and individuals)
  • Maintain and update documentation, reports, records and supporting systems in-line with local, national and organisational requirements
  • Apply use of force in line with organisational procedures
  • Utilise de-escalation techniques when dealing with inappropriate behaviours of individuals
  • Implement search techniques relevant to the situations (for example individuals, vehicles and illicit substances
  • Management and use of keys
  • Follow organisational security procedures
  • Carry out escorting or movement of individuals in custody or detention environments
  • Use verbal communication and interpersonal skills in your relationships with team members and others
  • Undertake incident management and take steps to defuse potential conflict situations in line with approved protocols
  • Work collaboratively with external stakeholders (escorting staff, drug/alcohol agencies, volunteers, healthcare, solicitors, members of the public)
  • Demonstrate processes, procedures and decisions to individuals in custody or detention so they understand what will happen to them and why
  • Identify individuals who may be vulnerable in custody or detention environments and signpost to the relevant support (for example drug/alcohol dependent individuals or individuals with mental health or wellbeing issues), following organisations procedures
  • Record and report involvement with vulnerable individuals in line with procedures

  Behaviours

  • Adapt your personal behavioural style to suit the situation
  • Act with legitimate authority so that people feel safe and treated fairly
  • Act in a professional manner, adhere to the organisational values and be a role model to the people in your care
  • Behave openly and welcoming to others and challenge discrimination
  • Be resilient and maintain personal wellbeing
  • Behave openly, directly and with integrity
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Protective services
• Qualification level: 3; Equal to A level
• Course duration: 12 months
• Funding: £4,500 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Custody detention officers
  • Detention custody officer
  • Escorting officer
  • Military provost staff
  • Police custody officer
  • Prison custody officers
  • Prison officer (public and private prisons)
  • Provost marshal (army)
  • Secure training centre officer

View more information about Custody and detention professional (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.