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- Tasks: Support therapy groups and contribute to psychotherapeutic treatment in a secure environment.
- Company: Join HM Prison Grendon, a leader in therapeutic community treatment.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, a generous pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: This role offers a pathway to becoming a registered psychotherapist.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on mental health while gaining valuable experience in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: An undergraduate degree in Social Science or related field is required.
This position is based at HM Prison Grendon Aylesbury, HP18 0TL
Job Summary
Please refer to Job Description
Job Description
Overview of the job
This is a non-operational, prisoner-facing role that aims to reduce the risk of re-offending and promote psychological wellbeing for those who are participating in Democratic Therapeutic Community (DTC) treatment by contributing clinical, psychotherapeutic input within DTCs.
All work will be conducted under the supervision of a registered psychotherapist.
Summary
This position involves working within a multidisciplinary team to deliver accredited Therapeutic Community treatment aimed at reducing risk and enhancing psychological wellbeing. The focus of the work is based on therapeutic community principles of relationally based, psychotherapeutic work delivered in a safe and cohesive social environment. The job holder is responsible for ensuring they are constantly progressing to the level of a registered psychotherapist. 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. The job holder will have experience and/or relevant training in psychodynamic and psychotherapeutic models of treatment or in specific area such as group analysis or working with people with complex needs or personality disorder. This is a non‐operationaljob 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.
- Co-facilitate therapy groups providing a specialist group analytic or psychotherapeutic contribution supporting co- facilitators and other staff engaged in group delivery.
- Contribute to the integrity and effectiveness of the group sessions by ensuring they adhere to relevant professional standards.
- Contribute to ensuring that the delivery of treatment complies with the requirements of the programme and remains consistent with the underlying theoretical models and prescribed delivery style.
- Where agreed with the training provider and clinical supervisor to provide supervision to other TC practitioners.
- Provide professional clinical input in formal settings where specialist input is required, such as re-categorisation boards and multi-agency meetings.
- Provide clinical formulation and implementation of plans for psychotherapeutic treatment or management of resident’s mental health problems based on current evidence-based best practice within the Therapeutic Community.
- Contribute to the preparation for external clinical audit of the therapeutic community, including preparation of case studies, detailed self-reviews and liaison with external agencies such as the community of communities.
- Provide specialist reports and assessments when requested for prisoners and to submit within the appropriate time framework.
- Offer advice/assist in target setting for community members.
- Be involved in the development and delivery of training.
- Maintain professional networks with other clinicians and TCs sharing best practice.
- Participate in psychotherapy training, supervision groups and any other training events as and when required by their training provider with the goal of achieving qualified psychotherapist recognition.
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.
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.
- Co-facilitate therapy groups providing a specialist group analytic or psychotherapeutic contribution supporting co- facilitators and other staff engaged in group delivery.
- Contribute to the integrity and effectiveness of the group sessions by ensuring they adhere to relevant professional standards.
- Contribute to ensuring that the delivery of treatment complies with the requirements of the programme and remains consistent with the underlying theoretical models and prescribed delivery style.
- Where agreed with the training provider and clinical supervisor to provide supervision to other TC practitioners.
- Provide professional clinical input in formal settings where specialist input is required, such as re-categorisation boards and multi-agency meetings.
- Provide clinical formulation and implementation of plans for psychotherapeutic treatment or management of resident’s mental health problems based on current evidence-based best practice within the Therapeutic Community.
- Contribute to the preparation for external clinical audit of the therapeutic community, including preparation of case studies, detailed self-reviews and liaison with external agencies such as the community of communities.
- Provide specialist reports and assessments when requested for prisoners and to submit within the appropriate time framework.
- Offer advice/assist in target setting for community members.
- Be involved in the development and delivery of training.
- Maintain professional networks with other clinicians and TCs sharing best practice.
- Participate in psychotherapy training, supervision groups and any other training events as and when required by their training provider with the goal of achieving qualified psychotherapist recognition.
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.
Person specification
Qualifications
An undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in a Social Science or related field.
Behaviours
We\’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We\’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Experience of working as a practitioner within a psychotherapeutic environment within a secure setting (i.e. Interventions Facilitator nurse/prison officer, support worker, clinical facilitator).
Alongside your salary of £36,151, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £10,472 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Access to learning and development
- A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- Annual Leave
- Public Holidays
- Season Ticket Advance
For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
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)
- 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)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
- Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
- Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
- Telephone : 0345 241 5358
Recruitment team
- Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Further information
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. I you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints
https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/7347?entityId=7347 #J-18808-Ljbffr
Trainee Psychotherapist (Ref: 7347) employer: HM Prison and Probation Service
Contact Detail:
HM Prison and Probation Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Psychotherapist (Ref: 7347)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the principles of a Democratic Therapeutic Community (DTC). Understanding how DTCs operate and their therapeutic goals will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of psychotherapy, especially those who have experience in secure settings. Engaging with others can provide insights into the role and may even lead to valuable recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on current evidence-based practices in psychotherapeutic treatment. Being able to discuss recent developments or research during your interactions can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for potential scenarios you might face in a prison environment. Think about how you would handle challenging situations or support individuals with complex needs, as this will showcase your readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Psychotherapist (Ref: 7347)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Trainee Psychotherapist position. Highlight key aspects such as the focus on psychodynamic and psychotherapeutic models, and ensure your application reflects an understanding of these principles.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to emphasise relevant experience in psychotherapeutic environments, particularly within secure settings. Include any specific training or qualifications that align with the role, such as group analysis or working with complex needs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also demonstrates your passion for reducing re-offending and promoting psychological wellbeing. Use examples from your experience to illustrate how you can contribute to the Democratic Therapeutic Community.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, make sure to showcase skills that are specifically mentioned in the job description, such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making. Provide concrete examples of how you've demonstrated these skills in past roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at HM Prison and Probation Service
✨Understand the Therapeutic Community Model
Familiarise yourself with the principles of the Democratic Therapeutic Community. Be prepared to discuss how these principles can be applied in practice, especially in a secure setting like HM Prison Grendon.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Highlight any previous experience you have in psychotherapeutic environments, particularly in secure settings. Be ready to provide examples of how you've contributed to group therapy or worked with individuals with complex needs.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working within a multidisciplinary team, be prepared to discuss your ability to collaborate effectively. Share examples of how you've worked with others to achieve common goals in past roles.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that assess your behaviours and decision-making skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, focusing on how you've communicated, influenced, and delivered results in previous roles.