Assistant Forensic Psychologist

Ministry of Justice; Wotton-under-Edge; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible working policy

Job summary

Ministry of Justice is seeking a psychology services support role to assist across assessment, data collection, and project work. The post involves collaboration with psychology staff, delivering cognitive assessments under supervision, and contributing to programme delivery and care planning for prisoners.

The role emphasizes flexibility through hybrid working arrangements and opportunities to gain wider experience in professional psychology within the MoJ framework.

Qualifications

• Graduate Basis of Registration with the British Psychological Society (GBR/BPS) with a minimum 2:2
• Continued professional development including MSc in Forensic Psychology if not held
• Experience in psychological assessments, data collection and analysis would be advantageous

Responsibilities

• File management and summarising information for assessment/consultancy purposes
• Data gathering and basic analysis for research/consultancy needs
• Carry out cognitive assessments and other psychometrics under supervision
• Assist in delivery of validated programmes and related assessments
• Support in formulation/delivery of care plans for prisoners
• Contribute to literature reviews and audit projects

Education

Psychology degree with GBR (BPS)

Job description

The job holder will be responsible for supporting psychology services across the range of work areas; including direct assessment and intervention as required alongside data analysis and project work. This is a non-operational job with no line management responsibilities. This role is non-rotational. Responsibilities, Activities and Duties The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• File management, gathering and summarising file information for assessment/consultancy purposes.
• Data gathering and basic analysis for research and consultancy purposes.
• Complete needs analyses.
• Support data analysis/collection.
• Collate information to support psychological file reviews (collateral reviews).
• Support delivery of validated and accredited programmes and associated assessments.
• Facilitate focus groups.
• Complete cognitive assessments and other psychometrics under supervision.
• Support other psychology staff in their completion of assessments with clients.
• Complete literature reviews.
• Assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of prisoners.
• Assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service as part of the project.
• Gain wider experience of professional psychology.
• Develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
• Assist in the design and implementation of audit projects.

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.

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Technical requirements

• A Psychology Degree conferring Graduate Basis of Registration with the British Psychological Society. Minimum degree classification of 2:2.
• Complete relevant continued professional development which wil include an MSc in Forensic Psychology if not already held.
• Job holders must complete specific training in their specialism once they take up post., A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Specific licence requirements

• A Psychology Degree conferring Graduate Basis of Registration with the British Psychological Society. Minimum degree classification of 2:2.

Specific language requirements

• Written and Spoken English
• Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

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‑ra 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. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment.

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.

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 TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team. For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

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.

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

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