Detention Engagement Officer

RSR is a public safety & enterprise security recruitment specialist. We assist public safety employers find the right talent. We assist all employers when they want to source public safety and enterprise security skills and experience.

Detention Engagement Officer
Location: Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre, Strathaven
Contract: 6-month initial contract with potential for extension
Hours: Full-time, shift working
Working Arrangement: 100% office based
Positions Available: 3

Important – Security Requirements
Candidates must hold active CTC Security Clearance or a higher level of clearance to be considered for this role.
Candidates will also be required to hold Disclosure Scotland Enhanced (non-barred) or DBS Enhanced (non-barred) clearance.

About the Role
Red Snapper Recruitment are currently recruiting for 3 Detention Engagement Officers to work within a secure detention environment in Strathaven.
This is a varied, people-focused role involving regular face-to-face engagement with residents. You will help residents understand their circumstances, provide clear and accurate information, identify and manage vulnerabilities, and ensure important information is communicated effectively between residents, caseworkers and other relevant teams.
The role requires someone who is calm, confident and resilient, with the ability to build professional relationships and manage challenging or testing situations.
Key Responsibilities

• Conduct face-to-face engagements with residents, including inductions and assessments.
• Discuss available options and the consequences of non-compliance with residents.
• Identify vulnerability indicators and ensure these are recorded and managed appropriately.
• Engage regularly with on-site suppliers and relevant stakeholders.
• Provide case updates and manage a portfolio of residents.
• Accurately record interactions on IT systems and provide feedback to caseworkers.
• Contribute to management reports and complete general office administration.
• Manage inboxes and deal with telephone enquiries.
• Identify and escalate issues appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with residents and colleagues.
• Support effective communication between residents, caseworkers and other relevant departments.
• Work professionally within a secure and sometimes challenging environment.

About You
We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The confidence and resilience to manage testing or challenging situations.
• Leadership potential and the ability to take responsibility.
• Flexibility and adaptability when dealing with changing circumstances.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a practical approach.
• Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.
• The ability to work professionally and calmly under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail when recording information and completing administration.

Previous experience working in a secure, custodial, immigration, public sector, enforcement, support or other challenging people-facing environment would be beneficial.
Essential Requirements

• Active CTC Security Clearance or higher.
• Disclosure Scotland Enhanced (non-barred) or DBS Enhanced (non-barred).
• Personal Safety Training Level 2 / SPEAR training.
• Ability to work full-time on a shift basis.
• Ability to drive to the location, as there is no public transport supporting the site.
• Comfortable using stairs several times throughout the working day.

Working Environment & Location
Please note that this is a 100% office-based role.
Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre is located in Strathaven and there is no public transport supporting the location. Candidates will therefore need to be able to drive to the site.
The site is an old manor house and does not have lifts. The successful candidate will therefore need to be comfortable using stairs several times throughout the working day.
The environment can be challenging, and you may encounter emotionally charged situations or challenging behaviour. You will need to remain calm, professional and resilient while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
The role can also be physically active, with workers spending much of their day moving around the site rather than being desk-based.

Working Pattern
This is a full-time shift-based position and candidates must be flexible to work both early and late shifts.
Monday to Friday:

• Early: 08:00 – 15:24
• Late: 13:36 – 21:00

Weekends and public holidays:

• Early: 09:00 – 16:24
• Late: 09:36 – 17:00

Candidates must be available to work all scheduled shifts and will not be able to select specific shifts.
The role operates on a 7.4-hour shift pattern, with working hours falling broadly between 7am–8pm Monday to Friday and 9am–5pm Saturday and Sunday.
You will also be expected to work 1 in 3 weekends, covering both Saturday and Sunday.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, if you do not hear from us within 7 working days, your application has been unsuccessful.

If this role is not for you but you do know somebody who would be interested, please feel free to refer them to us! We have a “Refer A Friend” bonus scheme and we will reward you retail vouchers for any referrals who are not already known to us and are successfully placed!

Red Snapper Recruitment is a member of the Red Snapper Group.

The Red Snapper Group acts as an employment agency (permanent) and as an employment business (temporary) – a free and confidential service to candidates.

The Red Snapper Recruitment Group is an equal opportunities employer.

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