After successfully completing Level 3 Diploma in Uniformed Public Services, Esme followed her passion for public services and is now working as a Prison Custody Officer at GEOamey.
Find out more about Esme’s journey…
Why did you choose to study at Selby College?
“I’m really glad I completed my Level 3 Diploma in Uniformed Services and Level 4 Public Management course at Selby College, because it’s a place I enjoyed being at and an environment which promoted and encouraged new learning experiences.
What did you enjoy the most about your course?
I absolutely loved my time at College and the relationships I built with both my peers and tutors. I was apprehensive about coming to College but I made friends and memories I will treasure for life.
What skills have you learnt via your course and how are you applying them to scenarios outside the classroom?
My time at College was massively beneficial to me as it gave me skills that I lacked. I needed pushing to further my interpersonal skills along with leadership skills. I was given the opportunity to do presentations, team exercises and go on trips. Each of these things really made a difference in my confidence and gave my class and I the opportunity to get to know each other.
I use these skills now in my full-time job as a Prison Custody Officer with GEOamey – I can talk to prisoners with confidence and feel I am in control of the situation, which is something I rarely felt before starting College. I am now confident enough to de-escalate a situation should a prisoner become irate whilst in my custody. I also deal with prisoners who suffer with mental health issues and I can to talk them down during a crisis and offer support where I can.
Are there any particular tutors who have helped you throughout your course?
All of the tutors I was lucky enough to have all made a huge impact on my time at College and helped to make the experience truly enjoyable. I struggled with my mental health prior to starting College, but my tutors were always there to listen and give me advice when I was dealing with personal or academic issues. They were there for you when you needed them in a crisis but were also there to put you back into line when you needed it. They all make Selby College a great place to study.
When I first got to College, I was also petrified of presenting but my tutor Matty helped me overcome this and I can now present with confidence, which I can’t thank him enough for.
Have you been on any trips or taken part in any experiences or activities?
We went to Halton Gill in North Yorkshire on a residential as part of our expedition skills module, where we climbed Pen-Y-Ghent. Although many of us found it tough, we came together as a team and helped each other up. We found ourselves talking to people we’d never spoken to before and encouraging them to keep on pushing forward. This trip is, again, a memory that will last forever.
What do you plan to do after completing your qualification?
After my time at College, I joined GEOamey, a prison transport service that works up and down the country transferring prisoners to various locations including hospital, court and alternative prisons. In my role as a Prison Custody Officer (PCO), I also assist in court hearings by sitting in the dock with the detainees whilst they’re being dealt with. I’m fully trained in Control and Restraint to be able to protect myself and my colleagues should anything arise. If a prisoner has to go to hospital for any reason, I would be responsible for taking them and staying with them whilst they seek medical attention. We work up and down the country and work crazy hours but half of the time it doesn’t really feel like work.”
Course:
Level 3 Diploma in Uniformed Public Services