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General Information

Salary
£36,151 - £37,887
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Aylesbury
Region
South Central
Closing Date
21-Jul-2025
Business Unit
Grendon & Spring Hill
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
7347

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job 

This is a non-operational, prisoner-facing role that aims to reduce the risk of re-offending and promote psychological wellbeing for those who are participating in Democratic Therapeutic Community (DTC) treatment by contributing clinical, psychotherapeutic input within DTCs.

All work will be conducted under the supervision of a registered psychotherapist.

Summary       

This position involves working within a multidisciplinary team to deliver accredited Therapeutic Community treatment aimed at reducing risk and enhancing psychological wellbeing. The focus of the work is based on therapeutic community principles of relationally based, psychotherapeutic work delivered in a safe and cohesive social environment. The job holder is responsible for ensuring they are constantly progressing to the level of a registered psychotherapist. 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. The job holder will have experience and/or relevant training in psychodynamic and psychotherapeutic models of treatment or in specific area such as group analysis or working with people with complex needs or personality disorder. This is a non‐operational job with no line management responsibilities.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties   

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  • Specialise in the clinical delivery of an accredited intervention (Democratic Therapeutic Community) ensuring that clinical requirements are adhered to and complement operational practice.
  • Co-facilitate therapy groups providing a specialist group analytic or psychotherapeutic contribution supporting co- facilitators and other staff engaged in group delivery.
  • Contribute to the integrity and effectiveness of the group sessions by ensuring they adhere to relevant professional standards.
  • Contribute to ensuring that the delivery of treatment complies with the requirements of the programme and remains consistent with the underlying theoretical models and prescribed delivery style.
  • Where agreed with the training provider and clinical supervisor to provide supervision to other TC practitioners.
  • Provide professional clinical input in formal settings where specialist input is required, such as re-categorisation boards and multi-agency meetings.
  • Provide clinical formulation and implementation of plans for psychotherapeutic treatment or management of resident’s mental health problems based on current evidence-based best practice within the Therapeutic Community.
  • Contribute to the preparation for external clinical audit of the therapeutic community, including preparation of case studies, detailed self-reviews and liaison with external agencies such as the community of communities.
  • Provide specialist reports and assessments when requested for prisoners and to submit within the appropriate time framework.
  • Offer advice/assist in target setting for community members.
  • Be involved in the development and delivery of training.
  • Maintain professional networks with other clinicians and TCs sharing best practice.
  • Participate in psychotherapy training, supervision groups and any other training events as and when required by their training provider with the goal of achieving qualified psychotherapist recognition.

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.

Behaviours

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Working Together

Experience    

  • Experience of working as a practitioner within a psychotherapeutic environment within a secure setting (i.e. Interventions Facilitator nurse/prison officer, support worker, clinical facilitator).

Technical requirements      

  • An undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in a Social Science or related field.
  • All post holders are expected to undertake a psychotherapy qualification and to qualify as a registered psychotherapist within a five-year period.
  • Undertake at least monthly supervision with a qualified, registered, psychotherapist.
  • Have experience of, or be willing to have training in, the wider HMPPS organisation in which the DTC is located.
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

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 - 7347

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Experience of working as a practitioner within a psychotherapeutic environment within a secure setting (i.e. Interventions Facilitator nurse/prison officer, support worker, clinical facilitator).
Specific qualification requirements
An undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in a Social Science or related field.

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
TBC - Expected early to Mid August
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Developing Self and Others
Delivering at Pace
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.

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation, Other 1
Other - Assessment Title 1
Residents Panel-Not scored
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Enhanced Baseline Standard (EBS)