Specialist Treatment Manager - Psychology Services Group

Ministry of Justice; Eccleshall; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK seeks a qualified Groupworker to coordinate and supervise the delivery of accredited intervention programmes. The role involves training facilitators, monitoring programme effectiveness, and providing professional development support. Ideal candidates will have experience in the Criminal Justice sector and skills in group dynamics. This role offers hybrid working arrangements and requires strong communication abilities.

Qualifications

• Trained in the delivery of an Interventions Services accredited programme.
• Experience within the Criminal Justice or Social Care sector.
• Ability to motivate group participation.

Responsibilities

• Co-ordinate, monitor and review planning and preparation for programmes.
• Ensure facilitators are properly selected and trained.
• Provide advice and consultancy to staff and external organisations.

Skills

Experienced and competent Groupworker

Knowledge and understanding of group dynamics

Experience of prosocial modelling/motivational interviewing

Job description

Responsibilities

• Co‑ordinate, monitor and review the planning and preparation for delivering programmes, including management of referrals and waiting lists for offending behaviour programmes, and communicating with applicants and those involved in their sentence management.
• Ensure facilitators are properly selected and trained, and provide professional supervision including session monitoring to support the development of skills and maintain the integrity of service delivery. This includes continuous assessment and support of Groupworkers and other facilitator staff in developing the required skills to deliver programmes and identifying performance and development needs through Treatment Management processes, working with the Programme Manager regarding performance.
• Provide advice, information, training and consultancy as required to staff, prisoners and external organisations to ensure eligibility and suitability criteria are understood and to support a multi‑disciplinary approach to reducing re‑offending.
• Assist in facilitating accredited programmes or one‑to‑one work as required.
• Oversee, allocate and review assessments for the relevant programme to support effective clinical decision making and maintain an ongoing review of participants’ risks, needs and responsivity, ensuring their needs are met throughout their completion of offending behaviour programmes.
• Select and compose groups, considering risks and responsivity needs and ensuring national guidelines on the assessment and selection of offenders are followed so that only those offenders who require the programme are selected.
• Work collaboratively with the Forensic Psychology Service, the Programme Manager, local SLT, other multi‑disciplinary teams and national OBP team.
• Chair Post Programme reviews in partnership with the Programme Manager.
• Respond to any local queries or complaints about the delivery of the programme and maintain records in line with management manual(s) guidance and local protocols.
• Contribute to the function and activities of the Accredited Intervention Management (AIMs) team and attend regular meetings (minimum of 10 per year).
• Contribute to local programme Awareness Training.
• Take responsibility for own Continued Professional Development (CPD).

The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and are not intended to be exhaustive. The post holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re‑examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the post holder.

Hybrid Working & Working Pattern

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This informal, non‑contractual form of flexible working blends working from a base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home. The role can only be worked in the UK. Arrangement will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate will be appointed to a MoJ office location which may include the nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office.

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.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experienced and competent Groupworker, trained in the delivery of an Interventions Services accredited programme.
• Experience of working within the Criminal Justice or Social Care sector.
• Knowledge and understanding of group dynamics and an ability to motivate groups and individuals to participate fully in programmes.
• Experience of prosocial modelling / motivational interviewing and challenging inappropriate language and behaviour.
• Experience of supporting others to evidence the ability to support staff in professional practice.

Application Process

Statement of Suitability: In no more than 500 words, please provide a summary of your suitability for this role. Highlight your relevant experience and demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Behaviour Questions: The following behaviours may be assessed – Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Experience. Provide written responses within the specified word limits.

Specific membership requirements: Have you delivered every element of an accredited Intervention Services programme at least twice to an excellent standard? Please upload a Word document listing which accredited Intervention Services programmes you have delivered and indicate how many courses of each programme you have delivered.

Specific licence requirements: Are you trained in the delivery of an accredited Intervention Services programme? Please upload a Word document listing the accredited Intervention Services programmes you are trained in.

Language requirements: Written and spoken English.

Technical Test: Level of security checks required – DBS Enhanced.

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.