Senior Forensic Psychologist - Hmp Dovegate

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Senior Forensic Psychologist
HMP Dovegate
Part Time, Permanent (20 hours)
Flexible days
£61,470 (FTE)
Here at Serco, we’re looking for a Senior Forensic Psychologist to join our innovative psychological services team at HMP Doncaster. HMP Dovegate is a Category B male establishment prison based on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border near Uttoxeter. The operational capacity is 1100 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 our residents.
As a Senior Forensic Psychologist, you will be responsible for the line management of Forensic Psychologists and Forensic Psychologists-in-Training, as well as direct psychological contact with prisoners
- many of which have a range of complex needs, including mental illness, personality disorders, cognitive deficits, self-harming behaviours, and significant offending histories. Not only will you ensure that all our work adheres to our code of conduct and BPS guidelines, you’ll also:
- Undertake forensic risk assessments of prisoners that contribute to the safer custody of residents.
- Act as a “professional witness” in parole board hearings, multi-agency meetings, and other formal settings.
- Lead and contribute to the development and delivery of new offending behaviour programmes.
- Deliver training on issues such as personality disorder, psychopathy or managing difficult behaviour.
This is a role that offers variety and contributes enormously to the important work of reintegrating offenders back into society.
What you’ll need to do the role:
First and foremost, you will have Chartered status with the British Psychological Society and Registered as a Forensic Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and be on the Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors (RAAPS) with the BPS.
You will possess good awareness and knowledge of the Offender Personality Disorder pathway and the experience and ability to make good clinical formulations of offenders with complex needs. You will be comfortable completing parole reports and carrying out assessments such as WAIS IV, HCR-20, PCL-R, IPDE and SARA, you’ll also be able to work in a multi-disciplinary way and bring a collaborative approach to your work with your team and with the offenders.
Highly Skilled at report writing and presenting evidence in formal settings such as Oral Hearings and significant post qualification experience working in secure settings.
Whilst performing as an active stakeholder in the Rehabilitative Culture strategy of the prison, you will keep yourself up to speed with knowledge in research in Forensic Psychology and particularly that relating to the rehabilitation of offenders.
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-efficacy.
What we offer:
- Up to 6% contributory pension scheme.
- A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Health Cash Plans, free flu jabs and more.
- A Serco benefits portal offering a wide range of discounts for major high street brands in Retail, Leisure & Hospitality.
- A fantastic culture and supportive team where you’ll get the chance to make a positive difference in a company passionate about diversity and inclusion.
- Interesting and enjoyable work.
- Committed to professional and personal development with a wide range of training and coaching opportunities to expand your capabilities.
- A safe and supportive culture.
- A company passionate about diversity and inclusion.
- Training Fees paid.
- Flexible working options considered.
#sercopsychologicalservice
ApplyPlease 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.

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