At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of psychology initiatives to transform the prison workforce.
- Company: Join HM Prison & Probation Service, a key player in public safety and rehabilitation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and collaboration with diverse teams across the UK.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while enhancing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 73513 - 86082 £ per year.
This position is based Nationally.
Enable Learning and Development Psychology Lead (Band 9 Principal Psychologist) - National Role - Full Time – Permanent.
We are excited to announce this opportunity for a Band 9 Psychologist to lead in the development, learning, and testing of Psychology supported components of the Enable Transformation Programme. The successful candidate will play a critical role in working as part of a wider HMPPS Programme team. They will support the learning and development of this priority HMPPS change programme, working with central teams and sites to develop and inform evidence-based conditions for change. A specific focus of the role will be the Reflective Skills Framework, although contribution, support, and learning around wider Enable products, including the leadership offer, will be a key part of the role.
The individual’s work will be central in pulling together key learning and informing both design principles and operational decisions to support the implementation of key products and processes developed within the programme. The work will be critical in enabling HMPPS to deliver its vision ‘Working together to protect the public and help people lead law-abiding and positive lives’ through an open learning culture; transforming through partnership; enabling people to be their best; and modernising our estate and technology.
This role will work alongside the Enable 5-year plan to deliver priority activity of the programme. This is a national role although there will be an expectation that the successful candidate will be able to travel to relevant sites and HQ as necessary. These will include those sites included in the London Regional Pilot, LTHSE and Early Adopter sites (Lancaster Farms, Channings Wood, Guys Marsh, Cardiff, Downview). There will also be a requirement to deliver training and presentations at other national venues.
The Enable Programme Five-Year Plan sets out how we (HMPPS) will strengthen learning, capability, and leadership across the prison workforce between 2025 and 2030. It is not a single learning offer. It is a long-term workforce transformation programme that brings together a joined-up development system, supporting staff from entry into role, through progression, and into leadership.
The plan reflects a simple truth: the performance of the prison system depends on our people. When staff feel confident, capable, and supported, they are better able to manage risk, build professional relationships, make sound decisions, and deliver consistent outcomes.
Our ambition is that by 2030, we want a workforce that is confident and capable, has strong leadership at every level, works professionally and consistently, and contributes to safer prisons and better outcomes.
Enable aims to deliver:
- better support for new starters
- clearer development pathways
- stronger leadership and management capability
- greater pride and professional identity
The Enable Learning and Development Psychology Lead will work to support the aims of the programme and in doing so work extremely closely with the London Regional Pilot Enable Band 9, and the Enable Lead for LTHSE. Work will be overseen and co-ordinated through the Psychology Services Enable Lead: Directorate Lead for Corporate Services, Governance, Safety and London (Giles McCathie). As such both roles will be line managed by the Band 10 Area Lead for London.
The successful applicant will support this work centrally and continue to support Psychology staff across relevant sites. There will be some expectation to visit sites delivering Enable products, this will be dependent on existing site support and required learning opportunities. Good visible leadership will be required, and the successful candidate will be expected to be a visible champion for Enable at senior levels, including presentations at senior forums. The successful candidate will be expected to travel and attend meetings in person both at sites and London HQ.
Additional responsibilities of the role will include:
- Will contribute as part of the Enable Management Team.
- The role will contribute to the psychological design of leadership and management development offers across all levels of the prison workforce, supporting Enable’s ambition to build a sustainable leadership pipeline.
- Support the cultural and behavioural conditions required for successful workforce transformation.
- Support the development of psychologically informed evaluation approaches to assess the impact, adoption, and sustainability of Enable products.
This is an exciting opportunity to enhance skills and experience. Working alongside a major HMPPS programme is likely to stretch the applicant’s skills whilst working as a psychologist but also linking with a wide and varied range of stakeholders on this important service-wide transformation. Updates and input at Senior level boards will be a necessary activity for both roles. The individual will be a critical link across departments and specialist areas and be expected to work using tested models of behaviour change and other evidence-informed approaches.
For more details on the role and further discussion please contact Giles McCathie.
Person specification
Please refer to Job Description.
Licences
The job holder will be a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. Possess a professional background in Psychology. Experience in providing clinical supervision. Completed relevant training in effective models of treatment and best practice. The job holder is likely to also be a Chartered Psychologist and Full member of the appropriate division of the BPS if the post requires it. Please note that being a Chartered Psychologist is desirable but not essential. They will have been registered for over two years.
Memberships
The job holder will be a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. Possess a professional background in Psychology. Experience in providing clinical supervision. Completed relevant training in effective models of treatment and best practice. The job holder is likely to also be a Chartered Psychologist and Full member of the appropriate division of the BPS if the post requires it. Please note that being a Chartered Psychologist is desirable but not essential. They will have been registered for over two years.
Languages
Written and Spoken English.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
Alongside your salary of 73,513, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes 21,296 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. 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.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard 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)
- 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.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme 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.
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans 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. If you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission.
Principal Registered Psychologist - Psychology Services - Enable Learning and Development Psychology Lead (Ref: 20713) in Sheffield employer: United Kingdom Government
The College of Policing is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With flexible working options and a strong commitment to diversity, staff are encouraged to thrive while contributing to the vital mission of enhancing policing standards across the UK. This role not only provides the opportunity to lead a team of experts but also to engage with various stakeholders, ensuring a meaningful impact on public safety and officer training.
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