Assistant Forensic Psychologist in Luton

Job Overview

We are looking for an Assistant Psychologist to join the Bedfordshire Offender Personality Difficulties (OPD) team to work as part of the Intensive Intervention and Risk Management Service (IIRMS). The OPD pathway is based in prison and probation, with Psychologists and Probation Practitioners working together to increase the wellbeing and reduce the risk of those screened into the pathway, whilst improving the knowledge and skills of the wider workforce. This post will be based in the community team but may involve some work in prisons. The IIRMs service offers support to probation staff through consultation, formulation, training, and psychologically‑informed intervention and risk management for a discreet group within the OPD cohort. IIRMs is a growing and evolving service, allowing opportunities for the successful applicant to support service development in this post. The role will include developing and facilitating psycho‑educational and/or skills‑based groups, developing and delivering support plans, and providing psychologically informed and relational support to people on the caseload, alongside consultation and training for other professionals, and administrative duties such as recording of psychometric measures and data. The Bedfordshire OPD team is a cohesive, experienced, and enthusiastic team including Registered and Chartered Psychologists, Qualified Probation Practitioners and general administrative support. The successful applicant will be line‑managed and supervised by qualified Psychologists, with opportunities for training relevant to the service and professional development. This is a service‑user‑facing role, primarily based in the community with scope for work in prison settings.

Working Arrangements

The post holder will be employed by HMPPS Psychology Services Groups (PSG) and seconded into the Bedfordshire OPD service. 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. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and are subject to regular review. If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a loan basis for up to 2 years.

Qualifications

• A Psychology Degree conferring Graduate Basis of Registration with the British Psychological Society (minimum degree classification of 2:2)
• Completion of relevant CPD, including an MSc in Forensic Psychology if not already held
• Job holders must complete specific training in their specialism once they take up post
• Written and spoken English (language requirement)

Benefits & Working Conditions

Annual leave is pro‑rated and calculated in hours or days depending on your working pattern. The holiday year runs from 1 March. You will be advised of the exact entitlement upon appointment. You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) of bank, public and privilege holidays, which are added to your annual leave allowance. Bank, public and privilege holidays may be worked in accordance with your shift pattern and operational needs.

We offer a choice of two civil‑service pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

We encourage alternative working arrangements and work‑life balance. Flexible working is available subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period.

You are eligible for a season ticket advance after two months\' service, and for childcare vouchers if you move across the civil service (note that this may affect your eligibility to claim them).

Training and development opportunities include Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention, and Anti‑Bullying programmes. All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles.

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post. External candidates are subject to a 6‑month probation period; internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS.

EQUALITY AND INCLUSION

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. We are willing to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. The MoJ also commits to supporting veterans and offers a guaranteed interview scheme for eligible former members of the Armed Forces.

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

We encourage all candidates to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. The MoJ also has a Redeployment Interview Scheme to provide opportunities to those at risk of redundancy.

Contact and Follow‑up

Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles, you may raise a formal complaint in the following order:

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5358, Monday to Friday 8 am – 6 pm or email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk).
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk).
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here).