Northern Ireland prison service (now recruiting))

elvis99

I was also cohert A, I'd say its to divide up the groups in each session.

Trex450

Done AC today, pretty hard to tell, I think, how it went... Except for observation which is black and white...

So I read there's only a medical after this? Is that correct? What about fitness?

"I was also cohert A, I'd say its to divide up the groups in each session. " sounds about right...

weepete

Psni only tested fitness just before you pass out unless your bmi is above 30 i.e obese or below 20 (i think its 20) at the time of your medical, in which case you have to do a PCT physical compentency test, so one can only assume same sorta idea applys if it does i'll be doin one, big prop forward rugby players tend to be big, however sayin that its not quiet like we are chasin down suspects on foot through a busy town, and on the other hand a bit of weight can come in useful behind a riot sheild!

So who knows

triple-M

My cohert number was D I also asked about the results and the lady said the first results should be sent out in 3 to 4 weeks,maybe its just me but doesnt it seem strange that they call it a cohert number when its clearly a letter?Its been buggin me a bit but then again I tend to be nitpicky.

Trex450

weepete wrote: »

Psni only tested fitness just before you pass out unless your bmi is above 30 i.e obese or below 20 (i think its 20) at the time of your medical, in which case you have to do a PCT physical compentency test, so one can only assume same sorta idea applys if it does i'll be doin one, big prop forward rugby players tend to be big, however sayin that its not quiet like we are chasin down suspects on foot through a busy town, and on the other hand a bit of weight can come in useful behind a riot sheild!

So who knows

Thanks for that Pete...

triple-M wrote: »

My cohert number was D I also asked about the results and the lady said the first results should be sent out in 3 to 4 weeks,maybe its just me but doesnt it seem strange that they call it a cohert number when its clearly a letter?Its been buggin me a bit but then again I tend to be nitpicky.

Wouldn't worry, I was B today and as previously mentioned its a letter to group people... Maybe it should be a number, and maybe organisers don't know that? Regardless I think it just serves a practicle aid for organisers...

"In statistics and demography, a cohort is a group of subjects who have shared a particular event together during a particular time span"

weepete

triple-M wrote: »

My cohert number was D I also asked about the results and the lady said the first results should be sent out in 3 to 4 weeks,maybe its just me but doesnt it seem strange that they call it a cohert number when its clearly a letter?Its been buggin me a bit but then again I tend to be nitpicky.

Character would of been the correct word for it as it incorporates numbers, letters and sysbols. However I think were all agreed it isnt really relevant to us in the grand scheme of things.

3 to 4 weeks for the results, hopefully than lenght of time is spent well doin the vetting and what not from the Access NI forms to help get the ball rolling.

Trex450

Not sure how I feel about officers who took/will take fat redundancies and good pensions being able to reaaply for roles. Any thoughts?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17055556, it mentions that point here...

Noticed a few today, who were obviously having a laugh at the potential intake... I mean I knew no-one there, but these guys were teamed up six abreast in waiting area (50yrs+) , with that thousand yard stare...

My take is at least they will have to go through the process like everyone else?

Any more thoughts?

Thanks

weepete

Trex450 wrote: »

Not sure how I feel about officers who took/will take fat redundancies and good pensions being able to reaaply for roles. Any thoughts?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17055556, it mentions that point here...

Noticed a few today, who were obviously having a laugh at the potential intake... I mean I knew no-one there, but these guys were teamed up six abreast in waiting area (50yrs+) , with that thousand yard stare...

My take is at least they will have to go through the process like everyone else?

Any more thoughts?

Thanks

My thought are mixed also yes at least they have to take the tests (which the prison service hasnt run a campagin like this in 20 years) and as there is no knowledge of the job ( which they have), needed they may fall down at the simple hurdles.

I recently applied for a support job with the psni which the job description went pretty much something like this.... "you'll be assisting officers in their investigations yada yada yada doin the same job as an officer just no gun or badge" and the 15 page application for the job and desirable qualification/experience gave me the impression that unless you were a serving officer or just taken your patton pay-off, there is no point even filling out the form, i mean it was pretty much a job for the boys who just left. I think it was this job that actyally brought the whole scandal to light, which may have lead to an external and unbaised recruitment company to do this campagin.

Yet on the other hand they will have more experience officers to help train us instead of bringing in a new batch of FNG's.
But as i said they have to go through the same process as us which there knowledge of the job wont help them with.

But thats just my thoughts on the matter.

1967J

In industry it is normal (in my experience) that when a redundancy is offered you are not permitted to reapply to that organisation for a specified period of time

Delancey

1967J wrote: »

In industry it is normal (in my experience) that when a redundancy is offered you are not permitted to reapply to that organisation for a specified period of time

Correct - Aer Lingus tried that ( getting people to take ' redundancy ' and then re-hiring them on inferior contracts ) - was ruled illegal and AFAIK same rules apply in UK ?

sydnor

1967J wrote: »

In industry it is normal (in my experience) that when a redundancy is offered you are not permitted to reapply to that organisation for a specified period of time

I was under the impression that one of the conditions of the voluntary redundncy for the NIPS was that you couldnt reapply.

hayes_1991

So im guessing that was last week of assessment centers? and we should shortly hear our results and if we make it any further?

weepete

hayes_1991 wrote: »

So im guessing that was last week of assessment centers? and we should shortly hear our results and if we make it any further?

Here's hoping, time to get the ball rolling.

wanadrum

Hello all, I am another PSNI wanabe who has applied to the NIPS.
My candidate no. was 36xxx, did AC on 21st May - this info is for those who like me think too much into these things.......feel free to post theories on process......it may help pass the time.
I thought the IST was quite similar to PSNI one, but a lot easier as there was time to check answers.
I thought the AC was very short and difficult to guage performance - I think I did ok, but then it might have been better if everyone found it difficult as everyone probably did pretty well in it.
Can't wait to hear result, would love a chance at this type of job - I honestly believe I am made for this type of job, but haven't managed to get a place yet.
I wonder if we will be able to get merit placing etc like PSNI process.
That is my update - fingers crossed we all get in - we obviously deserve it just for having the resilience to keep applying despite not getting through the PSNI process multiple times......

PS the terms of the redundancy are that they are free to apply - though they said none or those from the first phase of redundancies had applied. I don't think they should be precluded from applying - why shouldn't they be given a fair chance at being a part of the reformed service?

I don't think redundancies to enable NIPS or PSNI reform are comparable to normal redundancies.

weepete

wanadrum wrote: »

Hello all, I am another PSNI wanabe who has applied to the NIPS.
My candidate no. was 36xxx, did AC on 21st May - this info is for those who like me think too much into these things.......feel free to post theories on process......it may help pass the time.
I thought the IST was quite similar to PSNI one, but a lot easier as there was time to check answers.
I thought the AC was very short and difficult to guage performance - I think I did ok, but then it might have been better if everyone found it difficult as everyone probably did pretty well in it.
Can't wait to hear result, would love a chance at this type of job - I honestly believe I am made for this type of job, but haven't managed to get a place yet.
I wonder if we will be able to get merit placing etc like PSNI process.
That is my update - fingers crossed we all get in - we obviously deserve it just for having the resilience to keep applying despite not getting through the PSNI process multiple times......

PS the terms of the redundancy are that they are free to apply - though they said none or those from the first phase of redundancies had applied. I don't think they should be precluded from applying - why shouldn't they be given a fair chance at being a part of the reformed service?

I don't think redundancies to enable NIPS or PSNI reform are comparable to normal redundancies.

I too thought the AC was very short compared to the psni one and again very hard to gauge your results, i didnt like the written test at all.

I think there is a merit pool placing with this campaign buy unlike the psni one there is no 50/50 which means the merit pool will actually work this time round, as i know of people who got in with lower merit placing than others because of the 50/50 rules, and thats all i or any of us should say of the 50/50 and religion, we dont wanna get carried away. We will all be placed in order or merit then invited for our medicals, pass that then offered the job according to merit, and from past experience i know there will be people get that far and say NO! Also i believe the merit placing has a bearing on which of your prison selections you are offered after training, or maybe that comes down to your ranking after training.

wanadrum

Hi weepete, do you think they will tell us what our merit number is if we passed the ac? How many on here are still in the process? I hate waiting for results etc.

weepete

wanadrum wrote: »

Hi weepete, do you think they will tell us what our merit number is if we passed the ac? How many on here are still in the process? I hate waiting for results etc.

I can only go by my past psni experience, but i wasnt given my merit placement number in any of the letters i got, only got it when i rang them up, the results of my AC (psni one) came out 2 days after i did it! But not everyone had done theres yet so the pass mark hadnt been calculated, unfortunatly mine wasnt high enough to get my vetting or medical forms, at which stage you may have been told your merit place, i just got a letter months later, when they were sure they didnt want me and before a load of recruits left garnerville. So I dont know if they will tell you for sure but i suppose its handy to prepare yourself if your in the lower "reserve list" numbers and no one high up fails on vetting or medical.

1967J

weepete wrote: »

I can only go by my past psni experience, but i wasnt given my merit placement number in any of the letters i got, only got it when i rang them up, the results of my AC (psni one) came out 2 days after i did it! But not everyone had done theres yet so the pass mark hadnt been calculated, unfortunatly mine wasnt high enough to get my vetting or medical forms, at which stage you may have been told your merit place, i just got a letter months later, when they were sure they didnt want me and before a load of recruits left garnerville. So I dont know if they will tell you for sure but i suppose its handy to prepare yourself if your in the lower "reserve list" numbers and no one high up fails on vetting or medical.

When I found out I had passed - I contacted recruitment and they were able to tell me my merit number - do not think they sent them out voluntarily

67

weepete

1967J wrote: »

When I found out I had passed - I contacted recruitment and they were able to tell me my merit number - do not think they sent them out voluntarily

67

Maybe as i said it only really helps you to prepare yourself not to get through if your lower down, yet you could be number #1 and lose out on your vetting cause your flat mate in your student house at uni got raided for drugs and you happened to be in the room, that happened to a mate of mine when they got vetted for a job with kids, they were able to contest it though. So is it of much use knowing where you are, in my opion, yes.

wanadrum

I got my merit no for PSNI, never got medical or vetting either.

Well here's hoping we get the results soon and possible the merit number as it will give a good indication of whether or not it is worth holding your breath for.

weepete

wanadrum wrote: »

I got my merit no for PSNI, never got medical or vetting either.

Well here's hoping we get the results soon and possible the merit number as it will give a good indication of whether or not it is worth holding your breath for.

I'm with you on that one. Anybody heard if they are planning on replacing the 300 odd other officers takin the pay out down the line or are they tryin to cut down the total numbers of officers on duty?

1967J

weepete wrote: »

I'm with you on that one. Anybody heard if they are planning on replacing the 300 odd other officers takin the pay out down the line or are they tryin to cut down the total numbers of officers on duty?

I assume that the recruitment is to replace the ones going with new blood (and reduce the numbers) to try and improve the service by bringing in changes that the old guard may not have put up with

Delancey

1967J wrote: »

I assume that the recruitment is to replace the ones going with new blood (and reduce the numbers) to try and improve the service by bringing in changes that the old guard may not have put up with

New blood is what its all about , there have been numerous reports highly critical of the NIPS , a range of restrictive work practices have combined to create a situation where the costs of detaining a prisoner in Norn Iron are way out of line with elsewhere.
The report into the murder of Billy Wright at the Maze was scathing about NIPS , change is indeed on the way and change that would likely tp be firecely resisted by ' long timers ' hence the drive for new people on less costly contracts.

wanadrum

Does anyone know what the pays scale is long term? Also will there be opportunity for promotion/specialisation etc?

weepete

wanadrum wrote: »

Does anyone know what the pays scale is long term? Also will there be opportunity for promotion/specialisation etc?

Training salery is 18,000 go up to 23,000 on completion and after a years probation, i would like to think there's a possibility for promotion and specialisation you would have fresh blood for the dog handlers, riot/QRF teams, court transport etc.

wanadrum

I am not sure what way it works after the £23k though - is that it for the rest of career or will it mirror pay across the uk?

I really hope you can specialise - I really want to be a dog handler, though other specialism would interest me too.

Would you be looking to specialise if you get in?

weepete

wanadrum wrote: »

I am not sure what way it works after the £23k though - is that it for the rest of career or will it mirror pay across the uk?

I really hope you can specialise - I really want to be a dog handler, though other specialism would interest me too.

Would you be looking to specialise if you get in?

No idea with the old pay scale really would imagine some decent increase plus overtime etc.

Oh i'm lookin to be a dog handler myself love the beasts, also weildin a riot sheild and batton gun would interest me, i can see if we get in we'll all get a bit of basic training in all the areas maybe with the exception of the dog teams.

wanadrum

You and I must be quite similar weepete. I suppose the dogs might be the one thing where nips beats psni in that it would be almost impossible to get working with dogs in the psni.
Can't wait to hear some more news about this now!

Delancey

I know an NIPS dog handler - he loves it but he says that the competition for handler places is tough ( just like the PSNI ).

wanadrum

I'm sure it is still competitive, but I think your chances would be a bit higher in NIPS than in PSNI where I know it is almost impossible as there are so few positions, a low turnover and a large number of staff who apply when the role is open for applications.

So how are you all passing the time whilst waiting on news?

weepete

wanadrum wrote: »

I'm sure it is still competitive, but I think your chances would be a bit higher in NIPS than in PSNI where I know it is almost impossible as there are so few positions, a low turnover and a large number of staff who apply when the role is open for applications.

So how are you all passing the time whilst waiting on news?

I'd say we sound similar alright, passin the time other than biting the arm off the post man every day and checkin boards every half an hour, just the usual, walk the dog, sleep, work which i'm losin touch with a bit holdin out for this, did it with my two attempts at the PSNI lose interest in work till the dear john letter arrives then pick up interest when i know i've nothing to look forward to.

sydnor

It's been a month now since te AC's started.

Has anyone had word or know of anyone that has?

DawgElite

Heard today. Dear John letter arrived no report or guidance as to Scoring, simply unsuccessful and not progressing to next stage. As someone who has completed the same type of thing for the PSNI 6+ times and this the once I'm kind of gutted "again". Really thought I had this one in the bag. Maybe it was my over confidence at the NIPS Assessment Day.

Truly thought that this was "My Time" Obviously not. Word is though PSNI will be recruiting again next year as this year they are currently taking Transfers from the mainland but with the growing numbers leaving they will need a large number to recruit. To be honest I work alongside the PSNI and it's sometimes a little embarrassing seeing the people they've recruited. I'm all for "change" and that things should be fair but for front line policing there needs to be certain criteria that should be implemented in order for the job to be done efficiently. No one else agree?

wanadrum

Sorry to hear that Dawg - I thought the PSNI selection experience would have helped, but perhaps it was the observation test or something that you missed out on?

I agree about the police recruitment - I feel the selection process was very flawed.

So now I'm wondering is there any post waiting for me...

DawgElite

Defiantly wasn't the Observation Test. I reckon it was the Written :-/

weepete

Big brown envelope through my letter box, good news except for the more medical and vetting forms, and there is no mention of AC scores etc. or of a date for a medical perhaps there lookin more people to fall at the vetting stage

swl33t

do they give a time frame for the new forms to be completed?

steven123455

I got big brown envelope today. mass amount of online vetting forms etc. has to be completed withing 1 month of todays date.

weepete

swl33t wrote: »

do they give a time frame for the new forms to be completed?

There's an on-line CTC (counter terrorist check) which you have 60 days to complete once registered! But reccomends doin it asap however there is no time frame stated for the rest but i'd say again asap.

weepete

steven123455 wrote: »

I got big brown envelope today. mass amount of online vetting forms etc. has to be completed withing 1 month of todays date.

Hmmmmm didnt see that bit but i just glanced at it when it arrived.

swl33t

cheers, im on holiday for the next week so IF i get through it'll have to wait lol

DawgElite

Well done to those who received Big Brown Envelopes. Nearly there I'd say. I'm sort of wondering was there much point in me going for it anyway. What is the Basic working out at each Week? I'm making the Guts of £330 a Week already with a Top end Week of £390 with Allowances etc. Does anyone know what the break down would be?

wanadrum

It's just not fair - I'm still in work, but my wife says there is no post.....

Congrats you you guys who are going on.

Is there any feedback from tests or AC?

1967J

DawgElite wrote: »

Well done to those who received Big Brown Envelopes. Nearly there I'd say. I'm sort of wondering was there much point in me going for it anyway. What is the Basic working out at each Week? I'm making the Guts of £330 a Week already with a Top end Week of £390 with Allowances etc. Does anyone know what the break down would be?

Look at the gross and divide by 16 and that will give you the rough monthly income for the job - I am currently in a better paid job but with minimal benefits - Whilst in the short term I will take a pay cut I am thinking long term with the pension and additional benefits - was a good Friday to come home to that envelope - Good luck to the rest of you 67J

weepete

wanadrum wrote: »

It's just not fair - I'm still in work, but my wife says there is no post.....

Congrats you you guys who are going on.

Is there any feedback from tests or AC?

No feed back whatsoever, no score or passmark either just a yay or a nay

ShaneW1986

Got my big brown envelope today anyone know what the next stages are after the forms, does this mean that we're as good as in so long as we pass the medical and ctc checks? The letter is very vauge other than to fill out more forms?!?

sydnor

Got a letter myself.

Trying to not get over excited, I've passed the PSNI AC before only to not move on to the next stage.

Although I'm cautiously taking the vetting forms as a good sign.

DawgElite

1967J wrote: »

Look at the gross and divide by 16 and that will give you the rough monthly income for the job - I am currently in a better paid job but with minimal benefits - Whilst in the short term I will take a pay cut I am thinking long term with the pension and additional benefits - was a good Friday to come home to that envelope - Good luck to the rest of you 67J

True, but I'm already in a Government Funded Job with Pension's etc with the NHS. The only problem is there's not much chance of promotion which is the reason I've went for this type of job. I feel wasted in my current job and there's not much mental stimulation involved which I crave. Hopefully something will come along soon. Here's hoping. Suppose I should just count myself lucky that I have a job.

Little Loki

Passed!! Yeah!!

sydnor

I'm assuming everyone who sat the AC has got their results either today or yesterday.