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Job Description (JD)
Band 5
Group Profile: Trainee Psychologist (TP)
Job Description: TP: Trainee Psychologist
Document Ref.
OR-JES-277-JD-B5:TP: Trainee Psychologist v8.0
Document Type
Management
Version
v8.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
31st March 2025
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
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OR-JES-277-JD-B5:TP: Trainee Psychologist v8.0
OFFICIAL
Job Description
Job Title
TP: Trainee Psychologist
Group Profile
Trainee Psychologist
Organisation
First Line Management
Level
Band
5
Overview of the
This is a non-operational offender facing role.
job
Summary
This job works with offenders and staff to reduce the risk of re-
offending and enhance the provision of safer custody. This is
achieved through conducting research, providing consultancy,
delivering training for staff and assessments and interventions
for offenders.
Through the application of their developing forensic psychology
knowledge and skills the job holder will contribute towards
reducing the risk of re-offending, protecting the public and
maintaining the decency agenda.
The job holder is responsible for ensuring they are constantly
progressing to the level of a registered psychologist. The job
holder will be provided with a range of opportunities to progress
which they are expected to use to the best advantage of their
training and development.
This is a non-operational job with no line management or
supervisory responsibilities. This role is non-rotational.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following
Activities and
responsibilities, activities and duties:
Duties
• All work will be conducted under the supervision of a
registered psychologist.
• Offer advice and assist in target/objective setting for
offenders.
• Offer advice on the location of a prisoner (both within the
establishment or potential relocation to another category
establishment).
• Write offender reports e.g. indeterminate sentenced prisoner
reports, reports for Multi-Agency Public Protection
Arrangements (MAPPA) and Parole Board Reviews.
• Raise awareness of the range of interventions available with
the wider staff group so that they are better able to recognise
who would benefit.
• Interview and select offenders to assess their suitability for
accredited programmes and other interventions.
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OR-JES-277-JD-B5:TP: Trainee Psychologist v8.0
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• Prepare for and co-facilitate (usually more complex)
programmes, complete reports and set objectives for
individuals following completion of the programme.
• Provide a clinical oversight (treatment management) of
identified programmes to ensure standards are maintained
and facilitators are supported in group management and
related issues.
• Participate in offender risk assessment to determine their risk
of harm to self, others and the risk of reoffending. Undertake
Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) and
self-harm assessments.
• Conduct relevant research including data gathering.
• Be involved in the development, delivery and evaluation of
training.
• Provide consultancy support where required.
• Develop and utilise skills in crisis intervention.
• Present as a ‘professional witness’ in Parole Board hearings.
• Take responsibility for their own Continued Professional
Development (CPD) and maintain progression towards
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 (where specified in Wales)
Welsh.
Civil Service Success Profile Criteria
Behaviours
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
Strengths
We recommend you choose 4 to 8 strengths locally.
Experience
Technical
• Degree conferring Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with
requirements
British Psychological Society (BPS).
• Proof of successful completion of academic component of
training towards registered status, this may be an accredited
MSc or the BPS Qualification in Forensic Psychology (Stage
1).
• Registration with a professional body, most usually the BPS.
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• Job holders must complete time bound specific training in their
specialism once they take up post to reach HCPC Registered
Practitioner Psychologist level.
Ability
Minimum
Please do not alter this box
Eligibility
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to
taking up post.
• All external candidates are subject to 12 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 HMPPS consider to be racist.
Hours of Work
37 hour working week.
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
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OR-JES-277-JD-B5:TP: Trainee Psychologist v8.0