At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead psychological services, assess complex needs, and influence rehabilitation practices.
- Company: Join HMP Doncaster, a progressive establishment focused on rehabilitation and change.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, extensive training, and health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team dedicated to professional development and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on rehabilitation and support positive change in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Chartered Psychologist with experience in secure settings and forensic assessments.
The predicted salary is between 63469 - 63469 £ per year.
At HMP Doncaster, we believe psychology has a vital role in creating safer prisons, reducing reoffending, and supporting meaningful rehabilitation. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Forensic Psychologist to join our Psychological Services Team and play a key leadership role in delivering high-quality, evidence-based psychological services within a progressive and ambitious establishment. This is an opportunity to work at the heart of a multidisciplinary environment where psychological expertise directly informs risk management, treatment planning, rehabilitative culture, and organisational decision-making.
You will work with individuals presenting with complex needs, while influencing practice across the wider prison through consultation, training, and professional leadership.
What you'll do
- Reporting to the Head of Psychological Services, you will provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for prisoners with complex offending histories and identified rehabilitative needs.
- You will contribute directly to reducing the risk of harm and reoffending while supporting the prison's wider rehabilitative objectives.
- As a senior member of the team, you will:
- Deliver high-quality forensic risk assessments, formulations and interventions for both determinate and indeterminate sentence prisoners.
- Contribute to effective risk management through expert psychological advice, consultation and treatment planning.
- Produce specialist reports and present psychological evidence in formal settings including Parole Board oral hearings, MAPPA meetings and multidisciplinary reviews.
- Support the management of prisoners with complex needs, including personality disorder, learning disability, autism, trauma histories and other responsivity factors.
- Provide consultancy, training and psychological guidance to operational and non-operational staff across the prison.
- Play an active role in developing and embedding a positive Rehabilitative Culture across the establishment.
- Supervise and support Qualified Forensic Psychologists and Forensic Psychologists in Training (FPiTs), promoting professional excellence and development.
- Maintain awareness of current research, evidence and emerging best practice within forensic psychology and offender rehabilitation.
- Contribute to service development, innovation and continuous improvement across Psychological Services.
What we're looking for
- We're looking for an experienced and collaborative psychologist who combines strong clinical skills with the ability to lead, influence and develop others.
- You will:
- Be a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and/or registered as a Forensic Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Have post-qualification experience working within secure settings.
- Have experience conducting forensic risk assessments and developing psychological formulations for individuals with complex needs.
- Be skilled in producing high-quality reports and presenting evidence in formal settings.
- Have experience working effectively within multidisciplinary teams and influencing decision-making through psychological expertise.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the Offender Personality Disorder pathway and contemporary evidence relating to offender rehabilitation.
- Have experience administering, interpreting and integrating psychometric and risk assessment measures into formulation and treatment planning.
- Be committed to developing others through supervision, coaching and professional support.
Desirable
- Registered on the Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors (RAPPS/RAAPS).
- Experience within a prison environment.
- Experience undertaking assessments such as PCL-R, IPDE and other specialist forensic measures.
- Experience supporting the professional development of trainee psychologists.
Why join us?
At HMP Doncaster, you'll be part of a forward-thinking Psychological Services team that is recognised for its contribution to rehabilitation, risk reduction and service development. This role offers the opportunity to:
- Influence psychological practice across a large and dynamic prison.
- Work alongside experienced multidisciplinary professionals.
- Lead, supervise and develop the next generation of forensic psychologists.
- Contribute to innovative approaches that improve outcomes for prisoners and communities.
- Continue your professional development through protected CPD, professional supervision and funded professional registration requirements.
Our Leadership Expectations
Success in this role is built on more than professional expertise. We're looking for someone who:
- Builds trusted and collaborative relationships.
- Supports innovation and continuous improvement.
- Coaches and develops others to achieve their potential.
- Delivers high standards and drives results through their team.
- Communicates with influence and integrity.
- Champions inclusion, respect and rehabilitative culture.
Together, we'll create safer environments, support positive change, and make a lasting difference.
What we offer
- Holidays: Up to 25 days plus bank holidays
- Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
- Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
- Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
- Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
- Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging.
Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.
A little bit about us: At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.
Our inclusive recruitment commitment: We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
Senior Forensic Psychologist in Doncaster employer: Serco Plc
As an HGV Driver with us in Stowmarket, you will join a supportive and dynamic team that values your contributions and prioritises your well-being. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a work-life balance that allows you to thrive both personally and professionally. With opportunities for growth and development, you can build a rewarding career in a company that truly cares about its employees.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Forensic Psychologist in Doncaster
✨Get Involved in Local Psychological Communities
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Create a blog or a LinkedIn page where you share insights about psychology theories or current trends. This not only showcases your knowledge but can help you connect with like-minded professionals and potential employers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Forensic Psychologist in Doncaster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV with Relevant Experience:In psychology, it’s crucial to highlight your relevant experience, such as internships, research projects, or any volunteer work in mental health settings. Make sure to include specific roles and responsibilities, demonstrating how you've applied theoretical knowledge in real-world situations—this is what gets us excited!
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:Given the nature of psychology, we want to see your academic journey laid out clearly. Include your degree(s), grades, and any specialised courses or certifications that set you apart. If you've got published papers or presentations at conferences, be sure to mention them—it shows your commitment to the field!
Personal Statement: Make It Count:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Share insights about why you’re passionate about psychology and how this role at Serco Plc connects with your career goals. Be honest about your motivations and what you hope to learn—this is key for a full-time position and helps us gauge your fit in our team!
Focus on Soft Skills in Your Application:Psychology is as much about people as it is about theories. Highlight your soft skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork in your application. These traits are essential in our field and will help us see how you connect with others, so don't hold back in showcasing them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco Plc
✨Brush Up on Key Psychological Theories
Before stepping into the interview with Serco Plc, revisit key psychological theories that are relevant to the role, like cognitive behavioural therapy or humanistic psychology. Expect to discuss these during your interview, as they want to see how you apply theory to practice.
✨Bring Real-Life Case Studies
Prepare a couple of case studies or anecdotes that demonstrate your practical experience in psychology. Whether it’s handling a difficult client or designing a psychological assessment, these stories will highlight your skills and help you stand out in your full-time interview.
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Get comfy with the ethical guidelines set by the British Psychological Society. Be ready to chat about how you ensure ethical practice in your work, as this is crucial in the psychology field, and Serco Plc will be keen to know you’ve got integrity.
✨Showcase Your Continuous Learning
Since you're going for a full-time gig, it’s essential to demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development. Bring up any workshops, courses, or readings you’ve engaged in recently. This shows Serco Plc that you’re not just there for a job, but genuinely passionate about the field.