23557 - Senior Forensic Psychologist - Psychology Services - YCS Psychology Services - HMYOI Wetherby

The Methodist Church in Britain; Wetherby; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

HMPPS Youth Custody Service at HMYOI Wetherby seeks a senior forensic psychologist to lead complex risk assessments, supervise trainee psychologists and provide authoritative input on sentence plans and parole reports for high‑risk young people.

The role is non‑operational with potential hybrid working and requires HCPC registration plus two years’ post‑registration experience; those with 18 months may apply. CPD and supervision are provided.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration is required.
• Two years' post-registration experience (18 months accepted).
• Chartered Psychologist and BPS membership may be required for the post.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex risk assessments and risk management for high-risk offenders.
• Conduct full case reviews and advise on sentence plans.
• Deliver and supervise complex programmes and group sessions.
• Provide professional supervision and mentoring to trainee psychologists.
• Provide psychological reports for parole hearings and court proceedings.
• Act as expert witness in parole hearings and multi-agency meetings.

Skills

Risk assessments

Group interventions

Parole reports

Supervision

Education

Chartered Psychologist

Full BPS membership

Job description

This senior forensic psychologist post sits in Psychology Services for HMPPS Youth Custody Service at HMYOI Wetherby, which holds around 400 children. The work centres on complex risk assessments, leading individual and group interventions, and giving authoritative advice on sentence plans and parole reports for high-risk young people. The role is non-operational and non-rotational, with line management of trainee psychologists and possible hybrid working. Applicants need HCPC registration and two years' post-registration experience to take up the post, though those with 18 months may apply.

What the job involves

• Lead complex risk assessments and risk management for complex, vulnerable or high-risk offenders
• Conduct full case reviews on difficult cases and advise on sentence plans
• Deliver and supervise complex programmes, and lead and facilitate group sessions
• Provide professional supervision, training and mentoring to trainee psychologists, including as co-ordinating supervisor
• Give professional opinion on risk and parole reports, and provide psychological reports for those serving life sentences
• Act as professional witness at parole hearings and multi-agency meetings, and as expert witness in court proceedings
• Develop assessment and intervention strategies for areas such as sexual offending and indeterminate sentences
• Provide consultancy to colleagues, including the senior management team, on psychology services and outcomes
• Conduct research, including data gathering and analysis
• Contribute to ACCT, self-harm and personality disorder assessments
• Ensure staff development against key competencies and gateways, and line manage trainee psychologists
• Maintain own CPD and HCPC registration, and act as negotiation adviser where competent

Qualifications

• Professional background in psychology
• Chartered Psychologist and full BPS membership, if the post requires it

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist, eligible to use the protected title

Experience

• Two years' post-registration experience at the point of taking up post (18 months accepted at application)
• Experience of providing clinical supervision
• Completed training in effective models of treatment and best practice

Skills & knowledge

• Fluent written and spoken English
• Motivation and resilience to work with children in the youth justice system
• Civil Service Success Profile behaviours: decision making, leadership, communicating and influencing, working together, developing self and others, managing a quality service, delivering at pace

Checks & eligibility

• Security and identity checks before taking up post
• Eligible to work under Civil Service nationality rules

Nice to have

• Experience of working with children involved in the youth justice system

What’s offered

• Pension choice between two Civil Service schemes
• Annual leave calculated pro rata, with the holiday year starting 1 March
• 9 days bank, public and privilege holidays added to annual leave
• Hybrid working where business need allows
• Flexible, part-time and job-share working considered under HMPPS policy
• Season ticket advance after two months' service
• Training, CPD and promotion programmes
• Loan or secondment for up to 2 years for current NPS employees