Regional Lead Psychologist - Psychology Services

This post works closely with the existing Regional Lead Psychologist in the South East and East (SEE) Area, supporting the PGD/RPD and regional services by providing consultancy on the assessment, intervention and management of offenders. The role develops and implements best practice strategies across CJS settings, manages the regional psychology operation, and leads on the strategic theme of reducing reoffending. It is a non‑operational, line‑management role and is non‑rotational.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for providing advice and support to establishments and the PGD/RPD regarding needs analyses, delivery models, make or buy decisions for psychological services and other related specialist services where expertise is required.
• Accountable for identifying and developing the best use of psychological and other specialist resources from within the organisation, playing an active part in corporate decision‑making regarding psychology and market development/delivery.
• Accountable for managing and directing the work of the psychological services delivery team for their span of control and may manage other rehabilitative functions delivery.
• Accountable for the organisation and professional leadership of psychology services in the region, including policy development and integration into the wider agenda.
• Accountable for developing a strategy for the identification and delivery of risk assessment services across establishments and, where warranted, across other providers.
• Accountable for developing and coordinating local and regional initiatives in psychology services.
• Accountable where commissioned to provide clinical management of special units, including personality disorder units.
• Accountable for advancing the Improved Access to Psychological Therapies agenda with health colleagues.
• Accountable for developing and delivering a regional workforce planning strategy to meet demand for psychological services.
• Accountable for leading on risk‑management strategy for intervention outcome assessments by linking structured intervention assessment products into the Parole Board process.
• Accountable for developing and delivering training on risk assessment, crisis intervention and specialist services.
• Accountable for developing regional succession‑planning models.
• Accountable for developing and delivering a negotiation advisory service within the region and supporting national‑level initiatives.
• Accountable for developing and maintaining a strategy for training trainee psychologists within the region.
• Accountable for overseeing, where appropriate, consultation exercises with staff and offenders (e.g., Measuring the Quality of Prison Life/Staff Quality of Life).
• Accountable for leading on relevant contributions to Independent Monitoring Board/Inspection/Public Protection Office reports and queries.
• Accountable for providing short‑term evaluation of the effectiveness of relevant psychological interventions within the region.
• Accountable for contributing toward the choice of the appropriate balance of programmes/interventions and coordinating completion of needs analyses.
• Accountable for leading on key areas of offender risk assessment.
• Accountable for completing research work to support the regional office, providing central research advice and serving as the point of contact for national research policy and strategy.
• Accountable for promoting the work of the Service through preparing and disseminating research findings on clinical practice and outcomes.
• Accountable for coordinating regional activity and providing consultancy support for a range of issues (e.g., Safer Custody, Resettlement, Treatment Programmes).
• Accountable for leading the admissions, applications and referral process for prisoners applying to relevant settings.
• Accountable for commissioning external providers as required to deliver identified services.
• Accountable for developing, delivering and evaluating training for psychology and the wider staff group.
• Accountable for supervising trainee psychologists' organisational outputs (e.g., risk reports).
• Accountable for providing professional guidance to registered psychologist colleagues.
• Accountable for conducting psychological assessments as required.
• Accountable for conducting individual interventions as required.
• Accountable for ensuring that psychologists have a clearly defined remit in leading on identified tasks.
• Act as a mentor and exhibit appropriate role modelling to preregistered psychologists and less experienced staff.
• 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 an expert witness in court proceedings for the Ministry of Justice.
• Accountable for managing and providing professional supervision to forensic psychology staff.
• Manage the appropriate authorisation of financial compliance statements.
• Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation.
• Accountable for assisting with specialist investigations.
• Manage own continuing professional development (CPD) and ensure compliance with HCPC standards, maintaining HCPC registered status.

Core Competencies

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

Qualifications and Experience

• Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and eligible to use a protected title.
• Registered for over two years and eligible for Associate Fellowship of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
• Chartered Psychologist and full member of the appropriate division of the BPS if the post requires it.
• Experience delivering psychological services directly and through a managed team.
• Experience delivering consultancy at a Senior Management level and working across a broader Reducing Reoffending agenda.
• Spoken and written English proficiency.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid working arrangements where business need allows, blending base location, MoJ sites and/or home (subject to regular review).
• Standard full‑time working hours: 37 hours per week (excluding unpaid breaks).
• Part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing patterns are considered for suitable roles.
• Location may be a MoJ office or a Justice Collaboration Centre, subject to appointment and pre‑employment checks.
• Annual leave accrues on a pro‑rata basis. The holiday year runs from 1 March.
• Employees receive 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) of bank, public and privilege holidays, added to the annual leave allowance.
• Civil Service pension schemes: two options available, allowing employees to choose the scheme that best suits their circumstances.

Equality and Health & Safety

All applicants will be considered by merit and are encouraged to apply. The Civil Service promotes equal opportunities, and MoJ is a Disability Confident employer. Adjustments will be made to accommodate disabled candidates as per the recruitment process.