Forensic Psychologist - Youth Custody Service

Ministry of Justice; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

HMPPS Youth Custody Service is recruiting a Senior Registered Forensic Psychologist to work with boys under 18 in custody, delivering risk assessments, consultancy and training. The post involves supervising junior staff and contributing to trauma‑informed practice across sites.

The role requires HCPC registration as a Forensic Psychologist and experience with complex cases. Candidates should be motivated, resilient and able to work in a challenging youth custody environment.

Qualifications

• Must be HCPC registered as a Forensic Psychologist for at least two years.
• Experience with youth justice population is desirable.
• Senior role involving delivery of complex psychological services and supervision.

Responsibilities

• Undertake complex risk assessments for high‑needs cases.
• Provide supervision and direction to other staff.
• Offer consultancy and training to staff and interventions teams.
• Deliver training programs and contribute to national projects within YCS.

Skills

Risk assessment

Supervision

Consultancy

Training delivery

Trauma-informed approach

Education

HCPC registered Forensic Psychologist

Job description

development including a model for Reflective Practice, and various other developmentally appropriate approaches to support the organisation. YCS Senior Psychologists manage and supervise the practice of other staff in the team including trainee psychologists. Further, as part of the wider HMPPS Psychology Services Group, successful applicants also benefit from numerous opportunities for CPD and career progression across the wider custodial estate. All applicants must have been registered with the HCPC as a Forensic Psychologist for at least two years before taking up post. Those who have been registered for at least 18 months are welcome to apply but if successful at interview, would not be able to take up the post until two years post registration. Experience of working with children involved in the youth justice system is desirable but full training and support will be provided. Motivation and resilience to work with this complex yet rewarding young population is essential. All
suitably qualified interested parties are therefore encouraged to apply. The job holders covered by this job description are usually categorised as specialists in their field or those whose role requires significant additional experience, training and personal development.
The job holder will largely excel in the area of risk assessment or be a specialist in a specific area such as working with those convicted of sexual offending. At this level the jobholder may have responsibility for the key specialist tasks involved in the delivery of a programme or related individual case management which would also entail overseeing the quality of delivery and supervision. They will also provide direction and support for other supervisors.
The job holder will be working with complex individuals and staff and applying their experience and competence in the area of psychology to reduce the risk of harm and re-offending by undertaking complex risk assessments, conducting research, providing consultancy and delivering training for staff and interventions (individual and group).
HMPPS Youth Custody Service (YCS) Psychology Services are currently recruiting a Senior Registered Forensic Psychologist to be based within HMYOI Werrington (Stoke-on-Trent) which accommodates boys under 18 years remanded or sentenced to custody. With approximately 400 children in custody across England and Wales, YCS Psychology Services work across the whole spectrum of complex needs of this population as part of a trauma-informed approach. Practice is integrated across all partner agencies with an enduring focus on the best interests of the child. Given all services for this specialist population are underpinned by evidence-based practice, Psychology Services are integral to delivery and includes Forensic, Clinical and Counselling psychologists plus Family Therapists. In addition to providing services into specific sites such as HMYOI Werrington, YCS Psychology Services also contribute to numerous national consultancy projects including an Interventions Model, staff training and