DTC Creative Psychotherapist

Ministry of Justice; Aylesbury; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A national correctional services agency in Aylesbury is seeking a skilled psychotherapist to deliver Creative Psychotherapy within a therapeutic community model. This role involves facilitating group sessions, supervising staff, and providing clinical assessments for high-risk prisoners. Ideal candidates should possess a postgraduate qualification in Art Therapy or a related field and have experience in clinical supervision. The position offers a hybrid working model and flexible hours.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Support for disability adjustments

Qualifications

• Professional background in Psychotherapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, or Nursing is required.
• Experience in providing clinical supervision for groups or individuals.
• Completion of relevant training in effective models of treatment.

Responsibilities

• Specialise in the delivery of Creative Psychotherapy.
• Facilitate group sessions and ensure compliance with treatment models.
• Manage therapy group dynamics and provide clinical input.

Skills

Clinical supervision

Creative psychotherapy

Therapeutic community principles

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Art Therapy

Qualification in Clinical Supervision

Job description

Overview

This is a non-operational, prisoner-facing job within an establishment focusing on the therapeutic needs of prisoners. It involves delivering Creative Psychotherapy within a Democratic Therapeutic Community (DTC) model and working as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop and maintain a therapeutic environment. The role emphasizes psychodynamic and creative psychotherapy approaches (e.g., Art Therapy or Psychodrama) delivered in group sessions to prisoners, with the aim of reducing risk of harm and re-offending and supporting staff and other clinicians in the TC treatment approach.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

• Specialise in the clinical delivery of an accredited intervention (Democratic Therapeutic Community) ensuring clinical requirements are adhered to and complement operational practice.
• Facilitate Creative Psychotherapy group sessions and large community meetings, supporting co-facilitators and other staff.
• Provide a specialist creative psychotherapy contribution to the adult male treatment service in the prison setting, integrating a broad base of creative and complementary therapy theory into psychological formulation within the client’s family and wider social context.
• Ensure the integrity and effectiveness of group sessions, maintaining professional standards and supervising other staff as required.
• Ensure treatment delivery complies with programme requirements and is consistent with underlying theoretical models and prescribed delivery style.
• Contribute to the effective implementation of the Democratic Therapeutic Communities core model in the prison setting.
• Manage therapy group dynamics and support staff to facilitate groups, providing clinical input and knowledge as required.
• Model TC values and culture for staff and promote clinical principles in communication and practice.
• Act as a professional witness in parole board hearings, multi-agency meetings, and other formal settings; may act as expert witness in court proceedings for the Ministry of Justice.
• Provide clinical assessments of referrals to the creative psychotherapy service, ensuring alignment with risk management and treatment plans.
• Contribute to risk assessment and management of complex, vulnerable or high-risk prisoners; report on treatment and progress related to criminogenic factors.
• Develop and maintain expertise in assessment and treatment of offenders and programme risk areas.
• Offer specialist advice on progress, continuation or termination of therapy and therapeutic dosage for residents on the TC.
• Participate in offender management processes (e.g., ACCT assessments, self-harm or personality disorder assessments) as required.
• Attend weekly clinical, community, staff team and other service meetings to support effective team working and service development.
• Engage fully in the Therapeutic Community life, abiding by the rules of the constitution and promoting constructive interactions between prisoners and staff.
• Provide supervision, training, mentoring and support to trainee creative psychotherapists and those undertaking psychotherapeutic qualifications where required.
• Ensure clinical effectiveness of practice and service functioning by participating in audits and development activities; stay informed of current research to support evidence-based practice.
• Participate in service evaluation and research projects as agreed with the Head of Department; contribute to external audit preparation and liaison with external agencies.
• Act as a peer-reviewer consultant to Therapeutic Communities outside the prison service as appropriate.
• Maintain professional networks with other clinicians and TCs to share best practice.

Essential Experience

• Possess a professional background in one of: Psychotherapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, Nursing.
• Experience in providing clinical supervision (group and/or individual).
• Completed relevant training in effective models of treatment and best practice.

Technical Requirements

• Qualified and registered clinician with an associated professional body (e.g., BAAT, BACP, UKCP). Postgraduate qualification in Art Therapy (or similar) to facilitate HPC registration is common.
• Undertaken further creative psychotherapy or mainstream psychotherapy training (usually at Masters level).
• Qualification in Clinical Supervision.

Additional Information

• Working Arrangements: MoJ offers hybrid working where feasible; arrangements discussed and agreed on appointment.
• Location: Nationally advertised roles; appointments to an MoJ office location; probation and security checks apply.
• Working hours: Standard full-time hours; flexible patterns may be considered; part-time and job-sharing patterns considered in line with policy.
• Eligibility: All candidates subject to security and identity checks; external candidates typically have a 6-month probation; internal candidates may have different terms.
• Disability and inclusion: MoJ is a Disability Confident employer with reasonable adjustments available during recruitment.
• Diversity and Veterans: Activities and programs to promote diversity, inclusion and veteran employment opportunities.