64673 - Graduate Work Placement - Psychodrama

£39,674 - £45,625
1
12 Months
South East
Aylesbury , Bicester , Oxford
HM Prison Grendon, HP18 0TL
SEO
Band 7
Graduate Placement
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working, Other
Other

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Overview of the job    

This is a non-operational, prisoner-facing job within an establishment focusing on the therapeutic needs of prisoners

Summary    

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 focus of the work is based on therapeutic community principles, where the post- holder provides specialist input into a dedicated multidisciplinary team to develop and maintain a treatment environment where attitudes and expressions, which would not normally be tolerated in prison, are accepted and used to give feedback
to prisoners. This therapeutic dialogue leads to prisoner's greater understanding of
their usual behaviour and is based on psychotherapeutic principles.

The job holder will largely excel in the area of psychodynamic and psychotherapeutic models of treatment, particularly of a creative discipline such as Art Therapy or Psychodrama. At this level the jobholder has the responsibility for the specialist contribution to clinical group processes, and is involved in the delivery of a therapeutic community intervention which includes the provision of a specialist creative psychotherapy service within the therapeutic core model.

The job holder will provide clinical specialist input and advice within the therapeutic community setting supporting operational staff and other clinicians in their approach to TC treatment. The job holder will deliver psychotherapy through a creative psychotherapy medium. This will be delivered in group sessions to prisoners as a primary mode of communication to tackle a wide range of difficulties, disabilities or diagnoses in a group environment.

The job holder will be working with complex prisoners and prison staff and applying their experience and competence in the area of creative psychotherapies to reduce the risk of harm and re-offending by undertaking complex treatment intervention with prisoners, conducting or contributing to research and delivering training for staff and group interventions for prisoners.

Delivery of Creative Psychotherapy services by the post holder will aim to address specific offence related issues in more depth, overcome blockages to progressing treatment, consolidate the work of the DTC and promote pro-social creative expressions of emotion.

This is a prisoner facing role with no line management responsibilities
 
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties    

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

Specialise in the clinical delivery of an accredited intervention (Democratic Therapeutic Community) ensuring that clinical requirements are adhered to and complement operational practice.

Facilitate Creative Psychotherapy group sessions, and facilitate large community meetings, supporting co-facilitators and other staff engaged in these processes Provide a specialist creative psychotherapy contribution to the adult male treatment service in the prison setting, working men with significant offending behaviour and Personality Disorder referred to the Therapeutic Community, utilising information from a broad base of creative and complementary therapy theory and methodology and integrating it into a psychological formulation of the client in the context of their family and wider social context.

Ensures the integrity and effectiveness of the group sessions ensuring a range of professional standards are met in relation to the delivery of each session through oversight and supervision of other staff

Ensures that the delivery of treatment complies with the requirements of the programme and remains consistent with the underlying theoretical models and prescribed delivery style

Contribute to the effective implementation of the Democratic Therapeutic Communities accredited core model in the prison setting.

Manage therapy group dynamics and support other staff such as officers to facilitate groups, providing clinical input and knowledge where required
Promote clinical principles, supporting staff to these into practice in the way they communicate with and work with one another, modelling TC values and culture for other staff on the unit.

Act as a "professional witness" in parole board hearings, multi-agency meetings, and other formal settings where specialist input is required, such as re-categorisation boards. May also act as expert witness in respect of court proceedings for Ministry of Justice

Provide clinical assessments of referrals to the creative psychotherapy service, ensuring that this assessment aligns with risk management and treatment plans. Contribute to effective risk assessment and resulting risk management of complex, vulnerable or high risk prisoners, reporting on treatment and therapeutic progress in relation to criminogenic factors.

Develop and maintain expertise in the assessment and treatment of offenders and risk areas targeted by the programme

Provide specialist advice to decisions relating to progress in treatment for residents on the TC, continuation or termination of therapy and therapeutic dosage.
Contribute to other offender management processes (usually with more complex cases in work such as Assessment, Care in Custody & Teamwork (ACCT) assessments and self-harm or personality disorder assessments)

Attend weekly clinical, community, staff team meetings, including administrative, assessment and academic meetings, and other service meetings as necessary for effective team working and service development needs.
Integrate into the Therapeutic Community, engaging in all aspects of its community life, abiding by the rules of the constitution in line with other members, staff and residents. Ensure all members of the team adopt this approach.
Ensure interactions between prisoners and staff is actively encouraged and constructive within the therapeutic environment
 
Provide supervision, training, mentoring and support to trainee creative psychotherapists and those undertaking psychotherapeutic qualifications where required.

Ensure the clinical effectiveness of own practice and of service functioning by participating in audit and development activities relevant to the service area Remain informed of and critically evaluate current research to support evidence- based practice in own professional work and to contribute this perspective in the multi-disciplinary team.

Participate in the evaluation of the Service by working with colleagues in the design and development of service-related research and evaluation projects, as agreed with the Head of Department.

Provide a specialist contribution to the preparation for clinical external audit of the therapeutic community, including preparation of case studies, detailed self-reviews and liaison with external agencies such as the community of communities. Act as a peer-reviewer consultant to other Therapeutic Communities outside of the prison service.

Provide specialist reports when requested for prisoners and to submit within the appropriate time framework
Maintain professional networks with other clinicians and TCs sharing best practice

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

Behaviours  

•    Making Effective Decisions
•    Leadership
•    Communicating and Influencing
•    Working Together
•    Developing Self and Others

Essential Experience    

Possess a professional background in one of the following disciplines: Psychotherapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, Nursing
Experience in providing clinical supervision preferably both group and individual Completed relevant training in effective models of treatment and best practise

Technical Requirements    

Qualified and registered clinician with an associated and relevant professional body
e.g. BAAT, BACP and UKCP. This qualification will usually be a recognised as a post graduate qualification in Art Therapy (or similar) which would facilitate registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC).

Have undertaken further creative psychotherapy or mainstream psychotherapy training, usually at Masters level.

Qualification in Clinical Supervision.

Qualifications
Studying towards the following;
Qualified and registered clinician with an associated and relevant professional body
e.g. BAAT, BACP and UKCP. This qualification will usually be a recognised as a post
graduate qualification in Psychodrama or Art Therapy (or similar) which would facilitate registration
with the Health Professions Council (HPC).
Have undertaken further creative psychotherapy or mainstream psychotherapy
training, usually at Masters level.
Qualification in Clinical Supervision.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s 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

For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers

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 provides 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 the 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

 

TBC

04/10/2022, 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@gov.sscl.com. Please quote the job reference - 64673.

Contact Richard Shuker, Head of Clinical Services, at richard.shuker@justice.gov.uk 

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

Experience
CV
Statement of Suitability - 500 word limit

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.