Job Advertisement:
Head of Clinical Services (Therapeutic Community)
HMP Dovegate
Full time, 40 hours, Permanent
Salary £80,000 + up to 20% bonus, Private Health Care and Company Car
Are you an experienced clinician seeking a new challenge? Are you passionate about innovating in Forensic Psychology and making a meaningful impact on people detained and staff in forensic environments? If so, this role could be for you!
We are looking for someone with strong clinical experience and leadership skills — whether you're a senior psychologist, psychotherapist, group analyst, or have a nursing background. As the Head of Clinical Services at HMP Dovegate’s Therapeutic Community (TC), you will lead the clinical operations, ensuring the effective delivery of a psychotherapeutically informed treatment model aimed at reducing reoffending, particularly among individuals with the most complex needs. The TC provides a fully immersive learning environment for residents, using group-based therapy within a social climate that promotes positive relationships and personal responsibility.
In this role, you will collaborate with the Prison Director to shape objectives and ensure that all clinical services meet both internal and external regulatory and ethical standards. If you're experienced in leading a team, bring compassion to your work, and are committed to making a difference, this could be an exciting new opportunity to take your career to the next level.
Key responsibilities:
• Lead and manage senior clinicians, ensuring delivery of high-quality therapeutic interventions aligned with the principles of Therapeutic Communities (TC) and pathways to reduce reoffending.
• You will be responsible for fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the Therapeutic Community. You will lead annual audits, identify development needs, and coordinate relevant training programmes.
• Ensure compliance with standards set by HMPPS, CSAAP, and audit requirements of the Community of Communities.
• Provide supervision, mentorship, and leadership to senior clinical staff, promoting continuous professional development (CPD) and training.
• Monitor and ensure clinical activities meet legal, ethical, and quality standards, while delivering on key performance targets.
• Work with the Prison Director and the Director of Psychological Services, Justice to develop strategies for the TC’s continuous improvement, innovation and to ensure service excellence.
• Oversee governance activities, clinical audits, and the implementation of quality improvement plans to maintain the integrity of therapeutic treatments.
What you’ll need to do the job
• Experience in psychotherapeutic / psychological treatment models, specifically working with personality disorders and / or forensic populations
• Demonstrated leadership experience & knowledge of how to apply this to a Therapeutic Community or a similar initiative.
• Qualified in Psychotherapy, Psychology, Psychiatry or Nursing and holding current accreditation / registration with a recognised professional body such as BAPC, BPS, UKCP, HCPC
• Experience of managing budgets and producing business case
• Psychotherapy training and/or experience & relevant Qualifications and experience in providing supervision.
• Strong understanding of Personality Disorder and principles underpinning TCs.
What we offer in return
• A competitive base salary
• Bonus potential of up to 20%
• A company car or car allowance
• Matched pension of 6%
• Private medical
• A range of other corporate benefits