Principal Psychologists

Scottish Prison Service; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A criminal justice organization in the United Kingdom is looking for a qualified Psychologist to contribute to psychological services, manage complex cases, and provide leadership to teams. This role requires a degree in Psychology and extensive forensic psychology experience. The successful candidate will provide psychological assessments and supervise staff, ensuring the delivery of high-quality interventions.

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a degree in Psychology with Graduate basis for registration.
• Extensive experience of working as a Psychologist within a forensic setting is essential.
• Ability to manage staff and assist their development to achieve desired outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist psychological assessments and advice at Risk Management Team meetings.
• Prepare and present complex psychological reports for the senior management team.
• Manage a caseload of highly complex referrals while exercising autonomous professional responsibility.

Skills

Forensic Psychology Experience

Understanding of Risk

Managing Others

Education

Degree in Psychology

BPS accredited MSc in Forensic Psychology

Job description

35 hours. Hybrid working and part-time considered

Job Purpose The post holder will contribute to the range of functions performed by psychological services, including risk assessment and management, treatment interventions (psychological therapies and offending behaviour interventions), supervision, case-management and training delivery, all of which contribute to the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) vision of helping to build a safer Scotland. Post holders will provide management and leadership to Psychology Department teams within establishments and deliver training to other staff. You will be able to work across more than one establishment, providing variety to your daily role and supporting continued professional development through breadth of experience.

Responsibilities

To provide specialist psychological assessments (including risk, cognitive functioning and personality assessments) and provide specialist psychological advice and information at Risk Management Team meetings to guide decision making on progression and discussion cases.

Prepare and present complex psychological reports for the senior management team, and staff from other disciplines within SPS and the wider criminal justice setting, both internal and external to the SPS.

To supervise Forensic Psychologists in Training (FPiT) in the capacity of designated supervisor, or coordinating supervisor, as required by a Consultant Lead Psychologist and to provide supervision and support to those staff responsible for direct delivery of the programmes, programmes training and any other relevant interventions.

To manage a caseload of highly complex referrals, whilst exercising autonomous professional responsibility for their assessment, management, and treatment. Treatment includes the delivery of highly specialised psychological therapies for complex, high-risk prisoners.

To contribute to the development, implementation, audit, and evaluation of offending behaviour interventions for all prisoners and ensure the delivery of a high-quality, best practice and evidence-based service.

Line management responsibility for all psychologist grades and lead local Psychology teams in establishments, and deputise for Consultant Psychologist at meetings as delegated in their absence.

Person Specification

SPS recruitment and selection practice is based on the fundamentals of our Competencies for Success Framework. This identifies behaviours and standards required both of applicants seeking to join us, and our staff in their respective roles. Assessment of specific behaviours, of which there are eight, will be determined by the role you are applying for. Whilst it is unlikely you will be assessed on all of them, you will be assessed on those identified as key to role.

Qualification Requirements

Candidates must hold a degree in Psychology with Graduate basis for registration; a BPS accredited MSC in Forensic Psychology and hold current HCPC registered practitioner status. (essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Requirements

Forensic Psychology Experience

Extensive experience of working as a Psychologist within a forensic setting and at least two years’ experience post registration with HCPC as a practitioner. This includes experience of implementing and supervising high intensity offending behaviour programmes. (essential)

Providing Supervision to ensure Professional Standards

Ability to act as designated and/or coordinating supervisor to Forensic Psychologists in Training, to ensure that standards of professional supervision meet the required standard for Chartered Psychologist status. (essential)

Understanding of Risk

Extensive experience of psychological risk and risk assessment tools, including writing psychological risk reports and presenting to external agencies such as Parole Board. (essential)

Managing Others

Ability to manage staff and assist their development to achieve desired outcomes.(essential)