Clinical Registered Psychologist in Morpeth

Overview

The role involves working with prisoners, people on probation and staff to reduce the risk of harm and of re‑offending. The holder will conduct risk assessment, conduct research, provide consultancy, deliver training, supervise trainee psychologists, support offender assessment and intervention, and maintain continuous professional development.

Key Responsibilities

• Offer authoritative professional advice on targets and objectives for relevant offenders and advise on the best location for those offenders (both within the establishment or relocation to another category establishment).
• Offer professional opinion to teams conducting reports (e.g. lifer reports, parole reports).
• Develop strategy and plans of activity for some areas of operation (e.g. manage the organisation of relevant programme assessments or manage assessment and interviews for those with an indeterminate sentence).
• Provide consultancy support to colleagues such as the SMT or other teams in relation to psychology services and outcomes.
• Conduct relevant research including data gathering and analysis.
• Provide supervision to trainee forensic psychology staff.
• Provide training, mentoring and support to trainee psychologists and other staff (e.g. interventions staff).
• Provide professional (designated) supervision of trainees to ensure they develop through the key steps toward chartered and registered status.
• Ensure staff are developed in accordance with key competencies and gateways and maintain consistency across the team in the application of policies and procedures affecting staff and prisoners.
• Lead on risk assessment and resulting risk management.
• Participate in risk assessment of offenders to determine their risk of harm to self, others and the risk of re‑offending; may undertake ACCT and self‑harm assessments.
• Deliver and/or oversee the quality of treatment programmes (e.g. complex programmes requiring qualified input).
• Provide consultancy on specialist areas such as those convicted of sexual offending or indeterminate sentenced prisoners strategy.
• Act as a negotiation adviser where suitable and competence has been demonstrated.
• Act as a professional witness in parole board hearings, multi‑agency meetings and other formal settings where psychology input is required; may also act as expert witness in court proceedings for the Ministry of Justice.
• Maintain own continued professional development (CPD) and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified forensic or clinical psychologist with HCPC registration, or in the process of obtaining registration (confirmation within six months of provisional offer).
• Professional background in psychology.
• Experience providing clinical supervision.
• Completed training in effective models of treatment and best practice.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Working knowledge of risk assessment, ACCT, self‑harm assessment and related processes.
• Ability to work in written and spoken English (and Welsh where specified).
• Subject to an enhanced DBS security check.
• Subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up the post.

Working Arrangements

Hybrid working may be available where business need allows; the role is based in the UK and cannot be performed overseas.

Equal Opportunity

The Civil Service is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are a Disability Confident employer and will provide reasonable adjustments during recruitment and employment.