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General Information

Salary
£54,148
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Stafford
Region
Midlands
Closing Date
10-Aug-2026
Business Unit
Psychology Services
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
20293

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job

This is a non-operational, prisoner facing job with clinical responsibilities.

Summary

The job holder will provide clinical specialist assessment and treatment interventions for a complex needs prison population such as those with Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorders, supporting operational staff and other clinicians in their approach to psychotherapy. 

The job holder will be working with complex / high risk prisoners, applying their experience and competence in a range of therapies in CBT, DBT, EMDR. Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) to reduce the risk of harm and re-offending by undertaking complex treatment interventions. They will undertake senior treatment manager responsibilities acting as lead for the Imminent Needs Team, conducting or contributing to research and delivering training for staff and group interventions for prisoners in relation to national initiatives. 

This is a prisoner facing role with no line management responsibilities

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

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

  • Specialise in the clinical delivery of accredited interventions, ensuring that clinical and audit requirements are adhered to and complement operational practice
  • Facilitate individual work sessions and small groups, supporting co-facilitators and other staff engaged in these processes
  • Prepare, write and supervise specialist reports when requested for prisoners and to submit within the appropriate time framework
  • Ensure the integrity and effectiveness of therapy, ensuring a range of professional standards are met in relation to the delivery of each session through oversight and supervision of other staff
  • Ensure the delivery of treatment complies with the requirements of the programme and remains consistent with the underlying theoretical models and prescribed delivery style
  • Attend local and national clinical intervention meetings to promote good evidenced based practice.
  • Contribute to the development and delivery of training for multi-disciplinary staff recruited. Within this provide assessments and take an active role in individual staff development.
  • Deliver individual and group clinical supervision to members of the staff team and develop the clinical abilities of staff. Contribute to the overall appraisal of staff with regard to competence and quality of intervention delivery
  • Support and supervise others in the team delivering supervisory processes
  • Promote clinical principles, supporting staff to these into practice in the way they communicate with and work with one another
  • Manage relationships with internal and outside agencies ensuring plans are developed for continuity of the offenders treatment upon transfer or release in liaison with other staff
  • Act as a “professional witness” in parole board hearings, multi-agency meetings, and other formal settings where specialist input is required, such as recategorisation boards. May also act as expert witness in respect of court proceedings for Ministry of Justice
  • Contribute to effective risk assessment and resulting risk management of complex, vulnerable or high risk prisoners, reporting on treatment and progress in relation to criminogenic factors
  • Develop and maintain expertise in the assessment and treatment of offenders and risk areas targeted by the programme
  • Contribute to other offender management processes (usually with more complex cases in work such as Assessment, Care in Custody & Teamwork (ACCT) assessments and self-harm or personality disorder assessments)
  • Ensure the clinical effectiveness of own practice and of service functioning by participating in audit and development activities relevant to the service area
  • Remain informed of and critically evaluate current research to support evidence-based practice in own professional work and to contribute this perspective in the multi-disciplinary team
  • Participate in the evaluation of the Service by working with colleagues in the design and development of service-related research and evaluation projects, as agreed with the Head of Department.
  • Maintain professional networks with other clinicians sharing best practice

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

Behaviours

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

Essential Experience

  • Experience in providing clinical supervision
  • Completed relevant training in effective models of treatment and best practise
  • Possess a professional background in one of the following disciplines: Psychotherapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, Nursing, Probation/Social Work

Technical Requirements

  • Qualified and registered clinician with an associated and relevant professional body, e.g. BACP, BPS, BABCP, UKCP 
  • Qualification in Clinical Supervision
  • Trained to an advanced level in one or more of the following interventions: Dialetical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitzation Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Behaviour Modification.
Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where 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, where 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. There 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 wherever 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

-There 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

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 wherever 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: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

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 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 20293

HMPPS:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 20293

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Specific membership requirements
Accredited clinician with an associated and relevant professional body, e.g. BACP, BPS, BABCP, UKCP, HCPC.

Trained to a high level in one or more of the following: CBT, EMDR, DBT, CFT, ACT including knowledge of psychotherapeutic models and effective models for treatment delivery and adherence to best practice models
Specific licence requirements
Accredited clinician with an associated and relevant professional body, e.g. BACP, BPS, BABCP, UKCP, HCPC.

Trained to a high level in one or more of the following: CBT, EMDR, DBT, CFT, ACT including knowledge of psychotherapeutic models and effective models for treatment delivery and adherence to best practice models
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Accredited clinician with an associated and relevant professional body, e.g. BACP, BPS, BABCP, UKCP, HCPC.
Trained to a high level in one or more of the following: CBT, EMDR, DBT, CFT, ACT including knowledge of psychotherapeutic models and effective models for treatment delivery and adherence to best practice models
Specific qualification requirements
Accredited clinician with an associated and relevant professional body, e.g. BACP, BPS, BABCP, UKCP, HCPC.

Trained to a high level in one or more of the following: CBT, EMDR, DBT, CFT, ACT including knowledge of psychotherapeutic models and effective models for treatment delivery and adherence to best practice models

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
To be confirmed - Expected week commencing 31st August 2026
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Developing Self and Others
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
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. 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.