Recruitment Assessment Day (RAD)
We want you to be as informed and relaxed about your recruitment assessment day as possible. The RAD has been designed to test several elements that are needed in the Prison Officer role - these include;
POST Numeracy Test – You will be required to complete a shorter version of the on-line numeracy test during your assessment day.
The Language POST test – the second element of your Prison Officer Selection Test which is a language based test and includes some observational skill questions. You may also be retested on some elements of your numeracy test that you completed on line.
Role play simulations – you will be assessed on 4 four role-play simulations, each last a maximum of ten minutes and are videoed. The role-play simulations are all non-prison based, however they are similar to situations you could face as a Prison Officer. You will be assessed on 6 behavioural skills, these are;
- Non-verbal communication – this means maintaining eye contact, nodding to show understanding and using open hand gestures in the simulations
- Showing Understanding – this means demonstrating that you understand the situation and sympathise where appropriate whilst listening to the concerns and problems raised by role players
- Suspending Judgement – this means not making any inappropriate interruptions and suspending your judgements on what you are hearing in the simulation before deciding on the right course of action that should be taken or giving advice
- Assertion – this means displaying the right level of behaviour in the situation. You will not be expected to be either too aggressive or give way to demands or pressure.
- Respect for Diversity – this means challenging comments and stereo types made in the scenarios in an appropriate way. These may be in the form of racist, sexist, ageist or homophobic comment or other forms of intolerant language. The Prison Service does not tolerate such behaviour or language
- Exploring & Clarifying – this basically means asking questions of the role player to gain information which will help understand the problems and assist in solving them and then clarifying that you have understood what the problems are
Interview – The interview will be based on one of your completed role-play simulations and will seek to support and clarify the core behaviours being assessed.
Medical – Prison Officers need to be reasonably physically fit. In addition, they need to meet a minimum eyesight standard in both eyes, either unaided or with spectacles / contact lenses of Snellen 6/12 and have a good standard of health. You will be assessed for your suitability to undertake the fitness test, during your assessment day.
The Fitness Test – Eligible candidates will take their fitness test during the assessment day, the test comprises of five parts:
- Grip strength test x 2
- Multi-stage fitness test
- Dynamic strength test
- Speed agility run test.
Click here for further information on how you can prepare yourself to pass these tests with ease.
Other questions
What should I wear?
We want you to feel completely comfortable when you are taking your assessment, therefore you may wear whatever you want, provided it is clean, not ripped or torn and nothing is printed on it that could be seen as offensive in any way. Candidates should bring suitable clothing for the fitness test, IE trainers and gym kit.
Will I get my results of the recruitment assessment day (RAD) on the same day that I attend?
We are afraid that the answer to this is no. Although we would like to be able to inform you on the day, there will be some parts of the day that will need to be moderated. We will however aim to inform you of the result as soon as possible after your assessment day.
