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Overview of the job
This is a non-operational job within an establishment or a regional delivery team.
Summary
Working as a psychologist in a prison is challenging. People in prisons have almost always hurt and harmed people, but often and usually not in clear ways, they have also been hurt and harmed. The role requires a great deal of compassion and perspective to work with this reality, as well as a high level of analytical skill, competency in delivering intervention, and an ability to influence others. Some stakeholders depend on you to provide expert assessment to help them judge risk, understand behaviour and make decisions that balance the interests of individuals with those of protecting the public. Others rely on your research and consultancy skills to inform strategic decisions, improve prison conditions and support rehabilitative efforts. The demands placed on psychologists in HMPPS can be a heavy responsibility to carry, but it makes for an extremely rewarding role, with an ability to make a genuine difference at an individual, local and national level.
Forensic Psychologists in Training work with prisoners and various stakeholders and their work is undertaken under the supervision of senior or lead psychologists. In HMPPS, psychologists at this level undertake a variety of supervised work to gain experience, and develop competency in working towards becoming a registered practitioner. This includes undertaking risk assessments and clinical assessments, writing professional reports and providing evidence as a professional witness at Parole Board hearings. It also includes delivering and supervising accredited programmes, and designing bespoke formulation-driven interventions; undertaking research and consultancy projects to provide psychologically-informed solutions to support progressive environments and regimes, and providing training to improve workforce capability. Psychologists in training employed by HMPPS may undertake training via one of several accredited routes and they are provided with a range of opportunities to progress which they are expected to use to the best advantage of their training and development. They are responsible for ensuring they are constantly progressing to the level of a registered psychologist.
This is a non-operational job with no line management or supervisory responsibilities.
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- All work will be conducted under the supervision of a registered psychologist.
- Offer advice and assist in target/objective setting for prisoners.
- Offer advice on the location of a prisoner (both within the establishment or potential relocation to another category establishment).
- Write prisoner reports e.g. indeterminate sentenced prisoner reports, reports for Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) and Parole Board Reviews.
- Raise awareness of the range of interventions available with prison officers and others so that they are better able to recognise who would benefit.
- Interview and select prisoners to assess their suitability for accredited programmes and other interventions.
- Prepare for and co-facilitate (usually more complex) programmes, complete reports and set objectives for prisoners following completion of the programme.
- Provide a clinical oversight (treatment management) of identified programmes to ensure standards are maintained and facilitators are supported in group management and related issues.
- Participate in risk assessment of prisoners to determine their risk of harm to self, others and the risk of reoffending. Undertake Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) and self-harm assessments.
- Conduct relevant research including data gathering.
- Be involved in the development, delivery and evaluation of training.
- Provide consultancy support where required.
- Develop and utilise skills in crisis intervention.
- Present as 'professional witness' in Parole Board hearings
- Take responsibility for their own Continued Professional Development (CPD) and maintain progression towards registered status.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job 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 job holder.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.
Behaviours
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Developing Self and Others
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
Technical Requirements
- Degree conferring Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Proof of successful completion of academic component of training towards registered status, this may be a BPS accredited MSc in Forensic Psychology or the BPS Qualification in Forensic Psychology (Stage 1).
- Registration with a professional body, most usually the BPS.
- Job holders must complete specific training in their specialism once they take up post.
Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances
37 hour working week.
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