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General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £78,587 - £86,446, London salary range is £81,601 - £91,487. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
17-Dec-2025
Business Unit
Psychology Services
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Grade 6
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
12414

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

The LTHSE is made up of 13 Long Term & High Security jails with approximately 10,000 prisoners. LTHSE Psychology have value and voice across all of these jails and are fully integrated into all aspects of operational and clinical working. Our greatest strength and achievement are within our successful and effective Clinical & Operational partnership working. Due to recent reconfiguration and business need, we have a vacancy for a Band 10 Psychologist.

LTHSE population poses the highest risk, complexity, and challenge across HMPPS. The directorate accommodates highly specialised units – which are a national resource for our most disruptive and dangerous prisoners, these include: Closed Supervision Centres, Separation Centres, High Security OPD units (formerly DSPD) and 13 Segregation Units. 

LTHSE PSG provides strategic and clinical oversight for the Category A population, the highest-security level in the UK prison system. It manages individuals who pose the greatest risk to public safety or national security, typically serving long or indeterminate sentences for serious violent, organised, or terrorism-related offences. Around 1,000 men are held across our High-Security Prisons, either in main locations or under specialist regimes - including CSCs and Separation Centres - designed to balance containment with rehabilitative opportunities.

The Close Supervision Centre (CSC) system provides care and management for some of the most disruptive and high-risk prisoners in HMPPS, who have demonstrated significant violent and/or highly disruptive behaviour whilst in custody, and where their risk is deemed to not be manageable elsewhere in the prison estate. The available CSC accommodation totals 78 (66 in units, and 12 Designated Cells located in segregation units across LTHSE prisons). The current CSC roll is 73 (as of October 2025), with further known referrals expected following serious recent incidents. Given the current population exceeds the available cells on CSC Units, there is a critical need to significantly expand the estate.  

Separation Centres (SC) were developed as discrete units in 2017 to allow greater separation and specialised management of extremist prisoners who, irrespective of the type of ideology, present a level of risk that cannot be managed on a mainstream or alternative location. There are three SC units, with two of these currently open, holding 12 prisoners across both sites. 

The LTHSE Segregation units provide a national resource to manage complex and difficult prisoners including Category A prisoners, high risk prisoners awaiting transfer to secure hospital, those pending CSC referral, and those not selected for CSC who may still present a heightened risk and require bespoke pathways that benefit from psychological input. LTHSE Segregation units are frequently at capacity. 

As well as providing psychological and management oversight across the LTHSE, including jails housing several specialist units, the post would have strategic oversight of psychological input into Safety within the LTHSE prisons.  The role would involve working collaboratively with the Regional Safety Team, the PSG Safety team and modelling the clinical/operational partnership.  Specific areas of work include developing the understanding of good data practices and how this should drive strategic change at both a regional and site level.  Providing support to sites through visits and monitoring of HMIP expectations, providing feedback on areas of concern around the management of violence and SASH.  This role will involve strong links with the National Safety Team and PSG National Safety Team to share learning, resources and joined-up support for LTHSE sites.  There should be a focus on developing and maintaining capability within the workforce in managing complex and challenging individuals, as well as supporting those most vulnerable and self-isolating. It will involve being part of the LTHSE regional SLT, providing a psychological voice to these meetings and ensuring the work being conducted clinically is recognised and reflected on, to provide a holistic approach.

To note, this role is based in our geographically disbursed LTHSE prisons and therefore, travel will be required often.

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 12414

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 12414

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Making Effective Decisions
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Developing Self and Others
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Specific membership requirements
Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. Registered for over two years and eligible for Associate Fellowship of the BPS
Specific licence requirements
Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. Registered for over two years and eligible for Associate Fellowship of the BPS
Specific language requirements
Written and spoken English
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Experience of delivering psychological services directly, and through a managed team.
Experience of delivering consultancy at a Senior Management level and working across a broader Reducing Reoffending Agenda.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title
Chartered Psychologist and full member of the appropriate division of the British Psychological Society (BPS) if the post requires it.
Registered for over two years.
Specific qualification requirements
Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. Registered for over two years and eligible for Associate Fellowship of the BPS

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
To Be Confirmed
Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Developing Self and Others
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
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

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.