Salary
The national salary range is £68,295 - £75,124, London salary range is £71,192 - £79,971. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Number of jobs available
1
Detail of reserve list
12 Months
Region
National
City/Town
National
Building/Site
NATIONAL
Grade
Grade 7
Organisation Grade for HMPPS
Band 9
Post Type
Permanent
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working, Other
Role Type
Psychology
Will the successful applicant have line manager responsibilities?
Yes
Job description
Please note this is a national post and can be based anywhere but there is frequent and regular travel (the successful candidate will be expected to travel to different regions to attend regional pathfinder meetings which are monthly). There will also be a requirement to come to London for meetings.
This is a new post within the PSG CT central team. This role will work closely with the Joint Extremism Unit (JEXU) and the Joint Counter Terrorism Prison and Probation Hub (JCTPPH). JEXU is a HMPPS and Home Office venture that was established in April 2017 to be the strategic centre for all CT work in prison and probation. The unit has oversight of operational delivery against the Prevent and Pursue strands of CONTEST. Delivery is underpinned by a specialist CT case management process (Pathfinder), which is delivered by multi-disciplinary teams. Pathfinder focuses on individuals who have been convicted of TACT or TACT connected offences and, those individuals for whom there are concerns they are engaging/ engaged with a Terrorist group, cause and or ideology. It provides end-to-end management of this group. This is the mechanism through which an offender’s risk and rehabilitative pathways are assessed and monitored in relation to the concerns of engagement with an extremist group, cause and or ideology.
The HMPPS teams work proactively at a local, regional and national level, across custody and community, with operational partners, including Police and security services, to case manage individuals, share information and intelligence and assist with active investigations. The regional teams include operational and probation colleagues. Currently Psychology do not attend the regional pathfinder meetings each month. However, after the intelligence breach (Nov 23), there has been an increasing need for appropriately cleared psychologists to provide case consultation regarding risk identification, risk reduction and risk management at the regional pathfinder meetings. This post will establish a ‘sterile corridor’ approach between ERG authors and sensitive intelligence that will ensure ERG authors have the right information at the right time to inform their assessment without compromise to the integrity of the intelligence.
Overview of the job
This is a functional management job within an establishment.
Summary
The job holder will be responsible for managing a number of work area(s) within the Psychology of the establishment. These include all aspects of the Psychology and should include the management of registered and trainee psychologists. As a member of the senior management team, they will contribute and implement their objectives as defined in the Establishment’s Business Plan.
The Head of Psychology must be a registered psychologist and where there is a requirement of the post, a chartered psychologist.
This is a non-operational job with line management responsibility.
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
* Accountable for managing and providing professional leadership of psychologists.
* Accountable for ensuring the psychology service exhibits key competencies, provides performance reports to key stakeholders and complies with HMPPS and professional standards
* Accountable for the delivery and quality of those aspects of treatment programmes that must be overseen by a registered psychologist (typically these courses are the more complex interventions and would include, for example, Sex Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP) but may not include the Thinking Skills Programme (TSP) or Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage it (CALM) programmes
* Accountable for providing the short term evaluation of effectiveness of relevant psychological intervention within the establishment
* Accountable for contributing towards the choice of the appropriate balance of programmes/interventions through conducting Needs Analysis
* Accountable for leading on key areas of offender risk assessment
* Accountable for supervising and overseeing research work
* Accountable for initiating research within the establishment or co-ordinating the establishment’s contribution to national research projects
* Accountable for promoting the work of the Prison Service, through preparing and disseminating research findings detailing clinical practice and outcomes
* Accountable for providing consultancy support for a range of regime issues e.g. Safer Custody/Resettlement/Treatment Programmes
* Accountable for the admissions, applications and referral process for prisoners applying to the relevant settings
* Accountable for ensuring that psychologists have a clearly defined remit in leading on identified tasks
* Manages and provides professional leadership for supervising trainee psychologists’ organisational outputs (e.g. risk reports)
* Accountable for supervising pre-registered psychologists as they move toward registered and/or chartered status
* Accountable for supervising trainees towards qualified status (e.g. as a coordinating supervisor), where appropriate
* Accountable for conducting Psychological Assessments as required
* Accountable for conducting individual interventions as required
* Accountable for assisting in producing policy documents
* Accountable for managing own Continuous Personal Development (CPD) requirements and maintains professional standards
* Act as a negotiation adviser, where suitable and competence has been demonstrated
* 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 an expert witness, in respect of court proceedings, for the Ministry of Justice
* Act as a mentor and exhibit appropriate role modelling to pre-registered psychologists and less experienced staff
* Maintain own CPD and registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC)
Undertake other management tasks including:
* Accountable for the performance of the Function and the staff within it. Manage the achievement of qualitative and quantitative standards including Service Delivery Indicators (SDI’s) within the Function, verifying and signing off documentation as appropriate. Analyses and acts upon data which is relevant to their Function
* Ensure that all managers and staff within the Function are held accountable for providing decent conditions for prisoners and a safe working environment for staff
* Promotes prison service policy in all activities and behaviours e.g. promote
diversity, decency, safety and reducing re-offending agendas
* Provides leadership and management of the Function. Will have the skills to apply all Human Resources (HR) related policies and practices and be able to carry out all aspects of people management such as attendance management, disciplinary investigations, performance management and staff appraisals
* Investigate and manage Function prisoners complaints process within the Function
* Responsible for ensuring all litigation claims following staff assaults relevant to area have been dealt with in accordance with policy
* Oversee the compilation and achievement of any performance improvement programmes reporting on progress regularly as appropriate
* Manage the appropriate authorisation of financial compliance statements
* Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation
* Ensure that the Function produces and analyses audit and establishment performance management information identifying variances and areas requiring improvements
* Contribute to the establishment’s overall achievement of (SDIs) and standards and be accountable for the performance and delivery of targets relating to the budget, People Plan for the Function
* Accountable for all local and national policies relating to Function, and ensure procedures implemented are compliant, including development of new policies
* Contribute to the development and delivery of the medium-to-long term strategic and business plan for the establishment, with overall responsibility for implementation within their Function
* Attend relevant boards/meetings and actively contribute either as chair or team member
* Responsible for ensuring the defined work areas and associated activities comply with Health and Safety legislation. Ensure all risk assessments are undertaken and staff are made aware of their personal responsibility towards Health and Safety compliance
* Work collaboratively and provide constructive challenge to colleagues to ensure that their own and other Functions are joined up and together contribute towards the overall delivery of the establishment’s performance
* Contribute to the preparation of the establishment contingency and emergency plans and ensure implementation when required.
* Ensure the effective use of staff resources and the provision of training and annual leave opportunities
* Produce relevant reports as required and ensure that the response to all correspondence are within agreed timescales
* Ensure effective use of staff resources provide training and annual leave opportunities
* Deliver and implement projects as directed by the Governor
* Actively encourage staff engagement within the Function to ensure objectives are met
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.
Behaviours
* Delivering at Pace
* Leadership
* Communicating and Influencing
* Working Together
* Managing a Quality Service
* Changing and Improving
* Making Effective Decisions
Essential Experience
* Experience of delivering psychological services directly, and through a managed team.
Technical Requirements
* Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title.
* May be a Chartered Psychologist and Full member of the appropriate division of the BPS if the post requires it.
* Registered for over two years and are eligible for Associate Fellowship of the BPS.
* When transferring to a Young Persons establishment the job holder will be required to successfully undertake an assessment to demonstrate suitability to work with Young People.
* Job holders must complete specific training in their specialism once they take up post.
Hours of Work
37 hour week
Mandatory Eligibility Requirements
Licences
The job holder will be a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. The job holder will be a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. Possess a professional background in Psychology. Experience in providing clinical supervision. Completed relevant training in effective models of treatment and best practise. The job holder are likely to also be a Chartered Psychologist and Full member of the appropriate division of the BPS if the post requires it. Please note that being a Chartered Psychologist is desirable but not essential
Professional memberships
The job holder will be a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. Possess a professional background in Psychology. Experience in providing clinical supervision. Completed relevant training in effective models of treatment and best practise. The job holder are likely to also be a Chartered Psychologist and Full member of the appropriate division of the BPS if the post requires it. Please note that being a Chartered Psychologist is desirable but not essential
Languages
Spoken and Written English
Additional Information
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.
If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.
The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.
Benefits
Annual Leave
* The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.
Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays
* You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays.
Pension
* The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Work Life Balance
HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ
Season Ticket Advance
* After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work
Childcare Vouchers
For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers
Training
HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes
* There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts
* All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles
Eligibility
* All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post
* All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS
* All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
* To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
* To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
* To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Interview dates
To be confirmed
Closing Date:
29/11/2024, 23:55 hours.
Contact information
If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
Please quote the job reference - 92287.
Level of security checks required
Developed Vetting (DV)
Please note the successful applicant will need to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Security Check for this post.
Success Profiles
Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.
if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Experience
CV
Statement of Suitability - 500 word limit
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Interview stage assessments
There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Leadership
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
* 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
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