Where there is an operational need recruiters may appoint on a conditional basis.

In order to comply with the Employment Rights Act 1996 all appointments must be made using a standard appointment letter and schedule which are available on this site. These documents contain standard terms and conditions applicable to the grade and must not be customised locally except where the letter/schedule offers a choice of wording or a free text field which must be completed. In addition recruiters must amended the letter or schedule where: -

• The candidate is being appointed on a casual, fixed term or part time basis
• The candidate is an existing serving civil servant, either within the Prison Service, Home Office or another Government Department or Agency. The letter should be amended to reflect the new terms and conditions of the grade in which they are being appointed taking account of previous reckonable service.
• The candidate is a prison officer specialist in which case the appointment letter should be amended to say how long they will be on discipline duties before which they will take on the specialist role.
• Relocation expenses have been agreed - the letter must describe the package offered see Chapter 12 of PSO 8700
• The candidate is required to work shifts - the letter must be amended in accordance with PSI 4/96 and PSI 6/98.

Standard appointment letters and schedules

• Standard appointment letter
• Fixed term appointment letter
• Casual appointment letter
• Schedule A to be used when recruiting all grades except
• Schedule B to be used when recruiting a prison officer
• Schedule C to be used when recruiting an operational support grade
• Schedule D to be used when recruiting an NHS ‘Agenda for Change’ grade (including nurses, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians)
• There is no Schedule E
• Schedule F to be used when recruiting a medical officer
• Schedule G to be used when recruiting a trainee psychologist

Two copies of the appointment letter and schedule must be sent to the candidate, one for them to keep the other to be signed and returned to confirm acceptance of the terms and conditions of employment.