Applicants will need to be HCPC registered practitioner psychologists. They are also likely to be Chartered psychologists and be eligible for Associate Fellowship of the BPS. Whilst we encourage psychologists registered in all domains, the role requires clear evidence of delivering services within a forensic environment at a senior level.
Psychology Services Group (PSG) employs almost 900 psychologists across His Majestys Prison and Probation Service in England. This is largely forensic psychologists and forensic psychologists in training. Due to expansions in our service and wider organisational change, we are looking to increase the cadre of our senior leaders at Directorate Psychologist level by a further 3 posts.
Whilst the post holder will not need to be co-located in this region, there is an expectation of in person attendance to ensure effective relationship management and support. A map showing the regions is attached.
Main responsibilities are included in the job description. This is a senior leadership and management role within PSG, responsible for providing a senior partnering function to the relevant AED and senior stakeholders across prison and probation as well as other partners including health and the third sector. The post holder will lead the team of psychologists based within that region, driving innovation against HMPPS objectives including reducing reoffending and public protection, supporting PSG wider development and providing expertise into different functions within HMPPS.
PSG is a national service, which provides psychological services into HMPPS across all areas of England as well as into HQ. Team size across different regions varies and wider responsibilities will exist for each post.
It is a diverse and challenging role, with each AED region and related responsibilities presenting different challenges and opportunities. Should you wish to discuss these posts in more detail, Dr Jo Bailey, Deputy Director and Head of Group, would be happy to discuss and can be contacted via [email protected].
Overview of the job
This is a HQ role, but providing operational delivery to the field.
The jobholder reports directly to the Deputy Director (DD) for Psychology Services Group (PSG) and will lead and line manage the services within the team to ensure the provision of psychological services to the relevant HMPPS Directorate, working with senior stakeholders within that area of work as well as driving improvements and delivery within PSG through ownership of thematic areas of work.
Summary
The role is to support the Executive Director (ED) and the DD PSG by providing leadership for PSG within that Directorate structure. This involves providing a range of services to operational and non-operational colleagues and management of the regional psychology teams across that Directorate. The post-holder is part of the ED Senior Management Team in addition to the PSG Executive Leadership Team.
Service delivery includes the assessment, intervention and management of those in both custody and community settings; advice/guidance and strategic overview to achieve best practice in areas across HMPPS settings within their span of control as well as wider influence regarding psychological practice, evidence and information. This will be completed in conjunction with colleagues and stakeholders and partner agencies throughout HMPPS including within Headquarters and into wider Government departments where required.
This is a senior leader within HMPPS with responsibilities to contribute across the system, to be proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement and should face outwards as well as inwards.
The job holder will manage the Directorate Psychology operation (delivering the service) and lead on key strategic themes on behalf of PSG. They are responsible for integrating the psychology function throughout their Directorate at all levels, combining psychological theory with local strategy and practice.
The jobholder will be non-operational, working within a Directorate Office with line management responsibilities of large geographically dispersed teams.
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
Service delivery:
Service delivery encompasses the identification of need, the development of service and monitoring that outcomes are being achieved, with ongoing continuous improvement to reflect change and identify opportunities for alternative solutions. This includes responsibility for psychological practice, related strategic Directorate activity and workforce leadership, management and development.
- Working as part of the ED senior team and contributing to key strategy and policy decisions within the Directorate.
- Identifying, developing and driving forward strategic approaches to improve outcomes.
- Ensure consideration of needs analyses, delivery models, make or buy decisions for psychological services and other related specialist services where expertise is required within the Directorate
- Accountable for managing and directing the work of the psychological services delivery team for their span of control and may manage other rehabilitative and related function delivery
- Accountable for developing and coordinating a strategy for risk assessment services and ensuring appropriate delivery within resource, coordinating regional activity and providing consultancy support for a range of regimes issues e.g. Safer Custody/Resettlement/Intervention approaches and activities
- Ensure all services are delivered within financial and HR policy.
Senior Leadership:
The post holder is a senior leader within HMPPS, within their ED team and within PSG. The post holder will balance a range of competing and complex demands, demonstrating an ability to manage complex problems within a changing landscape and requiring a systems leadership approach
- Accountable for the organisation and professional leadership of psychology services in the Directorate including localised policy development and integration into wider Directorate agenda, developing and coordinating initiatives in psychology services within the Directorate agenda that support the HMPPS, PSG and Directorate Business Plans
- Drive forward the strategy for Diversity and Inclusion within their Directorate.
- Accountable for leadership on a range of areas of practice making up their Directorate portfolio for both PSG and their Directorate, promoting the work of the Service through a range of means:
- Preparing and disseminating research findings
- Sharing evidence informed practice
- Communication internally and externally
- Enabling colleagues to operationalise evidence based best practice.
- Play an active part in corporate decision making regarding psychology and market development/delivery
Performance and Assurance:
The post holder will identify gaps in the assurance process, ensure those processes in hand are properly complied with and seek to identify improvements.
- Accountable for ensuring relevant contributions to Independent Monitoring Board/Inspection/Public Protection Office reports and queries are completed
- Accountable for drafting/clearing relevant policy related content
- Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation
- Ensure investment in psychological services is managed to best effect.
- Accountable for developing and delivering Directorate workforce planning strategy to meet demand for psychological services alongside Directorate colleagues within the PSG governance, providing required assurance and management information to Head of Group and relevant stakeholders relating to portfolio themes and service delivery
Stakeholder engagement:
As a senior leader the post holder will be working across a range of senior stakeholder and partners internal and external to the Civil Service and the Profession. A collaborative approach which is able to effectively synthesize sometimes complex or conflicting information and work across areas of authority is required.
- Accountable for providing advice and support to the Executive Director regarding psychology services and related psychological areas within the Directorate. This may include enabling environments/culture and support around wider operational practice such as regime development/behaviour management.
- Accountable for taking forward stakeholder engagement with health colleagues in relation to Psychology Service delivery
- Accountable for identifying /developing the best use of psychological and other specialist resource from within the organisation via external partners
- Accountable for engagement with Professional Bodies such as HCPC and BPS to influence the development and maintenance of professional standards.
Professional Practice
The post holder is a senior leader, responsible for maintaining professional standards within their field of expertise activities
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.
Technical Skills
HCPC Registered Psychologist
They will have been registered for over two years and be eligible for Associate Fellowship of the BPS.
They are likely to also be a Chartered Psychologist and Full member of the appropriate division of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
