This post will bolster Forensic Psychology provision into 2 KSS open prisons, with a focus on risk management as prisoners transition from conditions of higher security towards release. The successful candidate will deliver work including risk assessment, contribution to safety meetings and risk management boards, and input to the multi-disciplinary Enhanced Behaviour Monitoring (EBM) process.
There is also potential for psychological intervention work with priority cohorts where need arises, as well as delivery through the gate to support community reintegration of IPPs alongside probation colleagues via delivery in the community context, in Approved Premises and beyond., The job holders covered by this job description are usually categorised as specialists in their field or those whose role requires significant additional experience, training and personal development.
The job holder will largely excel in the area of risk assessment or be a specialist in a specific area such as working with those convicted of sexual offending. At this level the jobholder may have responsibility for the key specialist tasks involved in the delivery of a programme or related individual case management which would also entail overseeing the quality of delivery and supervision. They will also provide direction and support for other supervisors. This is a non-operational and non- rotational job.
The job holder will be working with complex individuals and staff and applying their experience and competence in the area of psychology to reduce the risk of harm and re-offending by undertaking complex risk assessments, conducting research, providing consultancy and delivering training for staff and interventions (individual and group).
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
Conducts full case reviews on difficult cases and offers authoritative advice on next steps relating to sentence plan
Specialises in delivery of psychology services in settings such as therapeutic community wings or PIPEs
Lead and supervise and facilitate group sessions
Offers professional opinion to multi-functional teams conducting offender reports e.g. risk reports, parole reports on high risk or vulnerable offenders
Develops and/or strategies such as sexual offending or indeterminate sentence assessment and intervention strategy
Delivers and supervises (treatment management) the delivery of more complex programmes e.g. healthy sex programme
Provides consultancy support to colleagues such as Senior Management Team (SMT) in relation to psychology services and outcomes
Conducts relevant research including data gathering and analysis
Act as a professional witness in parole board hearings, multi-agency meetings, and other formal settings where psychology input is required. May also act as expert witness in respect of court proceedings for Ministry of Justice
Responsible for managing and providing professional supervision to trainee forensic psychology staff
Provides supervision, training, mentoring and support to trainee psychologists and where relevant other staff such as interventions staff
Assist in national specialist tasks such as training on courses related to their specialist discipline
Provides professional supervision to support a trainee in developing through the key steps towards chartered and registered status. This may be as a coordinating or designated supervisor
Ensures staff are developed in accordance with key competencies and gateways and ensuring consistency across the team in the application of policies and procedures affecting staff and offenders
Leads on risk assessment and resulting risk management of complex, vulnerable or high risk offenders. Will be competent to undertake the full range of risk assessments including the more complex risk assessments. Gives feedback of the assessment to the individual and other stakeholders
Contributes to other offender management processes (usually with more complex cases in work such as Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) assessments and self-harm or personality disorder assessments)
Provides consultancy role to wider team on their specialist activity. Visit a range of sites/forums to advise on complex cases
Act as a negotiation adviser where suitable and competence has been demonstrated
Manage own Continued Professional Development (CPD) requirements and maintains professional standards
Ensure they maintain their professional Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration
Provide a psychological contribution to the work of areas of the wider service provision (such as a therapeutic community or regime activity)
Provide psychological reports when requested for those convicted of a life sentence and to submit within the appropriate time framework
Responsible for relevant accreditation audit baselines as detailed in the audit document
Line management of trainee psychologists
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh., This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Spoken and Written English, + Communicating and Influencing
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Developing Self and Others
+ Leadership
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Working Together
Alongside your salary of £53,324, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £15,447 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Access to learning and development
+ A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
+ A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
+ Annual Leave
+ Public Holidays
+ Season Ticket Advance
For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
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