Forensic Psychologist in Training (Therapeutic Community)

Serco Limited; Marchington; On-site; GBP 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading correctional services company seeks a Forensic Psychologist for HMP Dovegate, focusing on rehabilitating offenders and delivering psychological services. Responsibilities include assessments, training prison staff, and developing psychological services. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and experience working with offenders. This meaningful role contributes significantly to reintegrating individuals into society while supporting staff wellbeing.

Benefits

Focus on staff wellbeing

Access to free dog training

CPD opportunities including conferences

Qualifications

• Completed Stage 1 of the Qualification in Forensic Psychology.
• Experience carrying out assessments and interventions with a forensic population.
• Good knowledge of psychological theories relevant to the role.

Responsibilities

• Administer Psychological Services at HMP Dovegate.
• Complete psychological assessments of prisoners.
• Deliver training to prison staff.
• Maintain compliance with parole reports and deadlines.

Skills

Knowledge of psychological theory regarding treatment of violent offending

Experience working with offenders

Assessment and intervention skills

Familiarity with psychotherapeutic treatment approaches

Education

BSc in Psychology or equivalent approved by BPS

MSc in Forensic Psychology approved by BPS

Job description

Location

HMP Dovegate, ST14 8XR

Duration

Full time, 40 hours

Type

Permanent

Salary

£33,580 Per Annum

Role Overview

HMP Dovegate is a category B male establishment prison based on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border near Uttoxeter. The operational capacity for the prison is 1100 prisoners who are serving a range of sentences including trial, remand, those awaiting sentence and convicted men serving up to life in prison. Joining our onsite team at this category B prison, you'll play a key role in delivering Psychological Services to residents. Here at Serco we have a vacancy for a Forensic Psychologist to join our Therapeutic Community Team.

Therapeutic Community

The Therapeutic Community is a unique role, offering the opportunity to work with long term prisoners who are engaged in therapy to reduce their risk of re-offending. The Therapeutic Community is part of the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway; a network of services supporting some of the most complex men within the Criminal Justice System.

Responsibilities

Your primary job purpose will be to administer the delivery of Psychological Services at the prison. This role can vary including Parole directions, supervising Forensic Psychologists in Training, consulting to prison staff, conducting research and providing staff training. You will be based on one of our communities and be involved with tasks including the following:

• To complete psychological assessments of prisoners including HCR-20, SARA, WAIS after training and under supervision
• To ensure completion of Parole reports and Parole directions complying with deadlines.
• To help develop the work of Psychological Services, for example through assessments and group spaces on TC
• Deliver training as required to prison staff
• To contribute psychological knowledge - and provide support - to prison procedures
• To be involved in research within the prison as required by the Head of Service, Prison Director, and/or Senior Prison Managers
• To provide a consultancy role to staff in psychological matters as required
• To develop and deliver training to prison staff and colleagues as required.
• To make progress towards qualification enabling Registration with the HCPC (and BPS) as a Practitioner Psychologist.

Benefits

This is a role that offers variety and contributes enormously to the important work of reintegrating offenders back into society. Some of the benefits of working at HMP Dovegate include a significant focus on staff wellbeing, access to free dog training (subject to availability), and access to CPD opportunities including attendance at conferences and training events.

Requirements

As a minimum, a Forensic Psychologist in Training must have fully completed Stage 1 of the Qualification in Forensic Psychology (BSc in Psychology or equivalent that is approved through the BPS and an MSc in Forensic Psychology that is approved by the BPS). As a minimum, they must have experience of working with offenders and carrying out assessments and interventions with a forensic population. They must have good knowledge of Psychological theory regarding treatment of violent offending. Familiar with what works literature and of a range of psychotherapeutic treatment approaches.

Why Serco

Meaningful and vital work- Using specialist behavioural analysis you'll contribute to the reintegration of ex-offenders back into society, helping them to address the factors that influence offending behaviour. A world of opportunity- With six prisons across the UK and a breadth of roles, you'll be wholeheartedly supported with development and career progression. We actively fund psychologists towards chartered and/or registered status and with ongoing CPD activities and look to promote from within. Great people- You'll become an integral member of a well-defined and supportive team, who believe passionately in the value of our work. We promote an empathic and therapeutic approach, respecting individual differences and promoting self-efficacy.