Psychotherapist Specialist in Learning Disabilities

At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.
Psychotherapist Specialist in Learning Disabilities (Therapeutic Community)
HMP Dovegate, SH4 8XR
Full time 40 hours or part time 24 hours available
Permanent
£50,450 Per Annum (Full time pay)
HMP Dovegate is a category B male establishment prison based on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border near Uttoxeter Here at Serco we have a vacancy for a Psychotherapist to join our Therapeutic Community Team. The operational capacity is for 200 prisoners who are serving a range of sentences including; trial, remand, those awaiting sentence and convicted men serving up to life in prison. Joining our onsite team at this category B prison, you’ll play a key role in delivering Psychological Services to residents.
As a member of the Therapeutic Community's Clinical Team, conduct group treatment to residents. Reporting and tracking the Resident's progress in therapy will be an important part of your job, as will ensuring that their risk of reoffending is minimised. As a member of the Community Clinical Team, you will participate in/chair Therapy Review Boards and make choices regarding appropriate future steps for Residents at the end of their Therapy Journey.
You will deliver therapy within the context of a Therapeutic Community and work with the Clinical Team to embed and sustain the Community's Audit Standards. You'll be active in every part of the Community Program and will help to promote clinical thinking in areas like Group Process, Supervision, and Sensitivity. You will be able to contain and think about the work and experiences of the Residents on the TC if you have a good awareness and understanding of residents who have complex mental health problems, including Learning Disabilities.
This role is full time permanent or part time 3 days per week.
The days required are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
What you’ll need to do the role:
You will be a qualified psychotherapist with the UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) or BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Ideally you will be qualified with substantial post-qualification clinical experience in forensic or mental health work and further training in Learning Disabilities, but applications are welcomed from newly qualified clinicians, who have undertaken placement work with complex cases.
The post holder will need to be able to work Serco Business autonomously, have experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and be able to make good use of supervision and line management. The position requires knowledge of Forensic Psychological & Democratic Therapeutic Community theories, practices & procedures employed within a custodial setting, requiring experience of delivering therapeutic environments or practices, preferably in a Forensic Setting.
To have experience working in a therapeutic environment and to be able to maintain the safety and integrity of that environment. This is to include being confident in describing the TC model and it is desirable to be sufficiently knowledgeable of TC principles to teach/train other staff in that area. You must have experience as Psychotherapy Clinician for a therapeutic service including Learning Disabilities.
Management of referrals, provision of caseload management and clinical supervision. The post holder will contribute to the promotion of an environment that facilitates lifelong learning and continuous professional development. To understand the interface between Operations, Security and Therapy in delivering effective and efficient therapeutic interventions.
To possess excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and be capable of producing written work to the highest standards. To be competent in addressing large groups/audiences, for example in full staff briefings, providing clear and precise information to all.
Why Serco
A place you can make an impact
- Using specialist behavioural analysis you’ll contribute to the reintegration of ex-offenders back into society, helping them to address the factors that influence offending behaviour.
A place you can count on
- With six prisons across the UK and a breadth of roles, you’ll be wholeheartedly supported with development and career progression. We actively fund psychologists towards chartered and/or registered status and with ongoing CPD activities and look to promote from within.
A place for you
- You’ll become an integral member of a well-defined and supportive team, who believe passionately in the value of our work. We promote an empathic and therapeutic approach, respecting individual differences and promoting self[1]efficacy Serco Business
What we offer:
There are a range of benefits for working at Serco including a 25 days holiday plus bank holidays. Other Serco benefits include; Up to 6% contributory pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, Training Fees paid. You will be employed by a company that is passionate about diversity and inclusion and provides safe and supportive culture. Serco discounts including cinema, merlin entertainment and online shopping discounts and discounts on mobile phone plans and leisure centre memberships. Serco ShareSave
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- where employees can own a part of the company and invest in their future.
About Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.
By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.
At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.
At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme