Regional Lead Psychologist

General Information

Salary

£78,587 - £86,446

Working Pattern

Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working

Vacancy Approach

External

Location

Arundel, Bedford, Chelmsford, Hemel Hempstead, Huntingdon, Lewes, Maidstone, Newmarket, Norwich, Rochester, Sheerness, Thetford, Woking, Woodbridge

Region

East of England, Kent, Surrey & Sussex, South East

Closing Date

16-Dec-2025

Business Unit

Psychology Services

Post Type

Permanent

Civil Service Grade

Grade 6

Number of jobs available

1

Reserve List

12 Months

Job ID

12111

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

This post will work ly alongside the existing substantive Regional Lead Psychologist in the South East and East (SEE) Area. This is an exciting time for the SEE psychology team following and during a period of structural and cultural change.

Overview of the job

This is non-operational offender facing job.

Summary

The job holder reports directly to the Directorate Lead Psychologist or HMPPS Lead Psychologist. The role is to support the PGD/RPD and regional services by providing a consultancy service to colleagues in relation to the assessment, intervention and management of offenders. In addition, they will provide advice/guidance and develop strategies to achieve best practice in these areas across CJS settings in their span of control. This will be completed in conjunction with colleagues and stakeholders throughout the HMPPS estate and within Headquarters.

The job holder will manage the regional Psychology operation (delivering the service) and lead regionally on the strategic theme of reducing reoffending.

This is a non-operational role with line management responsibilities. This role is non-rotational.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

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 w

• expertise is required.
• Accountable for identifying/developing the best use of psychological and other specialist resource from within the organisation via external partners, 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 wider agenda.
  Accountable for developing a strategy for identification/delivery of risk assessment service across establishments and potentially across other providers w- this is warranted.
• Accountable for developing and coordinating local and regional initiatives in psychology services.
  Accountable w- commissioned to provide Clinical management of special units including Personality disorder units.
• Accountable for taking forward the Improved Access to Psychological Therapies agenda with health colleagues.
• Accountable for developing and delivering 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 Parole Board process etc.
• Accountable for developing and delivering necessary training regarding risk assessment/crisis intervention/specialised services.
• Accountable for developing regional succession planning models.
• Accountable for developing/delivering a negotiation advisor service within the region and support national level initiatives
• Accountable for developing and maintaining a strategy for training Trainee Psychologists within the region.
  Accountable for overseeing, w- appropriate, consultation exercises with staff and offenders for example Measuring the Quality of Prison Life/Staff Quality of Life (MQPL/SQL).
• Accountable for leading on relevant contributions to Independent Monitoring Board/Inspection/Public Protection Office reports and queries.
• Accountable for providing short term evaluation of effectiveness of relevant psychological intervention within the region.
• Accountable for contributing towards the choice of the appropriate balance of programmes/interventions, coordinating completion of needs analysis.
• Accountable for leading on key areas of offender risk assessment.
• Accountable for completing research work to support regional office. Provide central research advice role to region and point of contact for national research policy/strategy.
• Accountable for promoting the work of the Service through preparing and disseminating research findings detailing 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 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 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 w- psychology input is required. May also act as expert witness in respect of court proceedings for 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 Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards. Maintain HCPC registered status.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder. An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (w specified in Wales) Welsh.

Behaviours

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

Experience

• Experience of delivering psychological services directly, and through a managed team.
• Experience of delivering consultancy at a Senior Management level and working across a broader Reducing Reoffending Agenda.

Technical requirements

• Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title.
• Chartered Psychologist and full member of the appropriate division of the British Psychological Society (BPS) if the post requires it.

Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances

37 hour working week.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements w 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. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, w they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS' Flexible Working policy.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

• The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

• You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. T is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment

Pension

• The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wver managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

• After two months' service, you'll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers

Training

HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

• T are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

• All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

Eligibility

• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

• All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS

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

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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Transformative Business Services Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-);
  To the Civil Service Commission (details available- )

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. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wver it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.

For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit:

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for 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 (opens in a new window)

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-

Please quote the job reference 12111

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-

Please quote the job reference 12111

Job Description Attachment

• 444 RL Psychology JD (Job Description Attachment)

Select new file
Application form stage assessments

Behaviours

Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit

250

Making Effective Decisions

Leadership

Communicating and Influencing

Working Together

Developing Self and Others

Experience

We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods

CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Specific membership requirements

Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. Registered for over two years and eligible for Associate Fellowship of the BPS

Specific licence requirements

Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. Registered for over two years and eligible for Associate Fellowship of the BPS

Specific language requirements

Spoken and written English

Statement of Suitability

Guidance for the Statement of Suitability

Experience of delivering psychological services directly, and through a managed team.

Experience of delivering consultancy at a Senior Management level and working across a broader Reducing Reoffending Agenda.

Evidence of Experience

CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Technical

Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit

250

Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title

Chartered Psychologist and full member of the appropriate division of the British Psychological Society (BPS) if the post requires it.

Registered for over two years

Specific qualification requirements

Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. Registered for over two years and eligible for Associate Fellowship of the BPS

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates

To be confirmed

Behaviours

Making Effective Decisions

Leadership

Communicating and Influencing

Working Together

Developing Self and Others

Strengths

Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed .

Level of security checks required

DBS Enhanced

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

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. W 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.

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