Applications from HCPC registered Counselling Psychologists would be particularly welcome for one of the posts at HMP Styal, given that the focus is on undertaking reflective practice support sessions with prison staff.
Women’s Estate Psychology Service (WEPS) currently have four band 8 senior psychologist vacancies across a nationally geographically dispersed team. Each of these posts provide an exciting opportunity to diversify and specialise in role.
In the last eight years WEPS has grown from single figures to a team of over 60. Through working in trauma informed and gender responsive ways, WEPS have secured additional funding to diversify further and develop a stronger evidence base to promote working effectively with women in custody and to pilot new approaches to address long-standing challenges.
WEPS have developed numerous training materials for colleagues and successful post holders will be able to access these during the induction period. Prior experience of working with women is not a requirement of the roles. A motivation to work with women is more relevant.
The posts we are currently recruiting for are
HMP Styal (Wilmslow, Cheshire) – 2 posts
HMP Styal are piloting the Whole System Approach (WSA) which aims to take multi-faceted approach to addressing self-harm amongst women in custody. The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of training operational staff in psychoeducation using a compassion focused therapy informed approach, compassion focused leadership work and ongoing organisational consultancy. Additionally, the post holder will facilitate ‘Staff Space’ which is a supervision model which offers regular individual reflective practice to all operational staff Bands 3, 4 and 5. This service provides staff with the opportunity to develop their ability to manage the psychological demands of their work, process the challenges of their environment and develop their psychological resilience as well as their ability to be psychologically mindful when working with women. It is hoped that this will impact upon relationships and culture, creating trauma-responsive environment within which women are supported and self-harm is reduced. The successful post holders will also have opportunity to work as part of the wider team in delivering a wide variety of both forensic focussed and safety focussed interventions for prisoners as well as the opportunity to undertake professional supervision of forensic psychologists in training. The Psychology team at HMP Styal will be a team of 14 when all posts are filled and there are other innovations already established within the prison including a bespoke offer for young women in custody and a psychologically led Early Days intervention for those identified as vulnerable.
HMP Drake Hall (Eccleshall, Staffordshire) – 1 post
Well integrated within the prison leadership team, this role involves leading a small, but growing, team of forensic psychologists based within the prison. WEPS have recently secured some additional funding to develop interventions/services for women who are at risk of serious self-harm, so are also recruiting two Band 7 psychologists for these posts. There is scope for the ELP to undertake risk assessments and hold a small clinical caseload.
HMP Drake Hall is a closed women’s prison which also houses women categorised as open, with a recent Inspection (scoring 3 fours and 1 three), highlighting the positive role played by WEPS staff in the prison.
HMP Drake Hall are keen to recruit and welcome a senior psychologist. This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside a new governor and new deputy governor as well as the wider leadership team. The team at Drake Hall currently consists of three forensic psychologists in training (FPiT) based at the prison and cover by a number of visiting registered psychologists from the wider WEPS team. This is a great time to join the team as a senior psychologist, with the primary responsibilities of working alongside the prison SLT, leading the Drake Hall WEPS team, mobilising a safety intervention, whilst also maintaining a clinical caseload undertaking clinical work aimed at risk reduction and keeping women safe from self-harm.
HMP Foston Hall (Derbyshire) – 1 post
Similar to the role at HMP Drake Hall, the ELP post at HMP Foston Hall will be responsible for leading and managing the work of a team of forensic psychologists at the prison. HMP Foston Hall serves the courts as well as having a sentenced population of women in prison. It is the role of the WEPS ELP to work closely with Senior Management Team members, providing psychological advice to senior leaders including the Governor and Deputy Governor as well as the Head of Safety. Additionally, the WEPS team at the prison work well with a range of other professionals (mental health staff and OPD pathway providers, as well as probation colleagues), ensuring that the psychological and resettlement needs of women can be most effectively met. There is scope for the ELP to undertake risk assessments and hold a small clinical caseload, as well as supervising and managing other staff to do so. The prison is in a good place developmentally and culturally, with a relatively new Governor who is supporting and leading improvements across the prison after a recent HMIP inspection. The WEPS team are an integral part of this culture change activity.