24852 - Trainee Forensic Psychologist Youth Custody Service

£26,438 - £32,361
8
12 Months
National
Croydon , Feltham , Rochester , Stoke-on-Trent , Wetherby
HM Prison Cookham Wood, ME1 3LU, HMYOI FELTHAM FELTHAM, TW13 4ND, HMYOI WERRINGTON STOKE ON TRENT, ST9 0DX, HMYOI WETHERBY WETHERBY, LS22 5ED, SOUTHERN HOUSE CROYDON, CR0 1XG, Medway Secure Training Centre, ME1 3YB
HEO
Band 5
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working, Other
Psychology

HMPPS Psychology Services for Youth Custody are currently recruiting trainee psychologists. Current vacancies are for HMYOIs Cookham Wood, Feltham (A) and Wetherby plus Medway Secure Training Centre. Whilst no current vacancies, a merit list will be held for 12 months for HMYOI Werrington and the central services at HQ and those successful invited to take up post. Mainly working with young men aged 15 to 18 years old although possibility of working with younger boys and girls. Whilst rewarding, young people have complex needs which often manifests as difficult and challenging behaviour in custody. Motivation to work with this specific age group and resilience are therefore essential and previous experience desirable.  Given the geographically dispersed nature of YCS, extensive travel is required of central team post holders with some required of those based in sites. As a member of the wider HMPPS Psychology Services, there will also be opportunities to work within both the Young Adult and Adult Secure Estates. Applicants should include a personal statement on the CV stating why they want and would be suited to, this post. Those without a BPS recognised MSc in Forensic Psychology or still studying for such should not apply and proof is required at interview.

Overview of the job

This is a non-operational job within an establishment or a regional delivery team

Summary

This job works with prisoners and establishment staff to reduce the risk of reoffending and enhancing the provision of safer custody. This is achieved through conducting research, providing consultancy, delivering training for staff and assessments and interventions for prisoners.

Through the application of their developing forensic psychology knowledge and skills the job holder will contribute towards reducing the risk of re-offending, protecting the public and maintaining the decency agenda.

The job holder is responsible for ensuring they are constantly progressing to the level of a registered psychologist. The job holder will be provided with a range of opportunities to progress which they are expected to use to the best advantage of their training and development.

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 a '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

Competencies

All of the competencies in the National Offender Management Services (NOMS) Competency Quality Framework (CQF) are relevant to this group profile. For the purpose of selection the following competencies will be measured:

  • 3. Making Effective Decisions
  • 4. Leading and Communicating
  • 5. Collaborating and Partnering
  • 6. Building Capability for All
  • 12. Showing Drive and Resilience

Essential Skills/ Qualifications/ Accreditation/ Registration

Degree conferring Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) plus proof of successful completion of academic component of training towards registered status; this may be an accredited MSc or the BPS Qualification in Forensic Psychology (Stage 1).

Registration with a professional body, most usually the BPS

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh

Hours of Work and Allowances

37 hour working week

Depending on base location some positions may attract local pay allowance

Qualifications
Degree conferring Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society (BPS) plus proof of successful completion of academic component of training towards registered status; this may be an accredited MSc or the BPS Qualification in Forensic Psychology (Stage 1).
Registration with a professional body, most usually the BPS

All applicants must have a MSc in Forensic Psychology which is recognised by the BPS/HCPC as the first stage of the training requirements towards being an HCPC registered Forensic Psychologist. The MSc certificate must be shown at interview. Those without this qualification should not apply.

Professional memberships
Must be eligible for Graduate Basis for Registration with the BPS plus a BPS/HCPC recognised MSc in Forensic Psychology or equivalent.

Languages
Spoken & Written English

Working Arrangements & Further Information

Some of MoJ’s, including HMPPS, terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard working hours for this post are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

-HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

-HMPPS offers a childcare vouchers scheme. The scheme enables staff to take part of their salary in the form of Childcare Vouchers. This is known as a Salary Sacrifice. The vouchers can then be used to help meet the costs of any form of registered or approved childcare for children aged 0-16. The vouchers are exempt from tax and National Insurance contributions

Training

-HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provide a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

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

-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which HMPPS considers to be racist

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.

There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

To Be Confirmed

19/03/2019, 23:55 hours.

Closing Date: 19th March 2019 at 23:55 hours

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk. Please quote the job reference .

Please note the successful applicant will need to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Security Check for this post.

Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.


Application form stage assessments

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

· UK nationals

· nationals of the Republic of Ireland

· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

This Vacancy is closed to applications.