Applications for this job are now closed
The YCS is offering Trainee Counselling Psychology placements. The placement is to work with children aged 15-18 years with complex needs within a custodial setting. Some work is likely to be short-term, but t is scope for longer term work.
The placement is a rich opportunity for a Trainee Counselling Psychologist to work within a large organisation and demonstrate the benefits of a Counselling Psychology approach. It’s a rewarding placement w a Trainee will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and will provide therapeutic input with children who may not have previously engaged with talk therapy.
Environment population and challenges
T are 3 Young Offenders Institutions (YOI): HMYOI Feltham and HMYOI Wetherby and HMYOI Werrington. Each has their own unique culture and service.
Trainee Counselling Psychologists interested in a placement at any of the YOIs are advised to consider that the environment and population will present practical and emotional challenges not experienced in other environments. The children will often have experienced extremely adverse conditions and events, including abuse, which may have resulted in emotional regulation issues, trauma and engagement difficulties.
The placement is within a custodial setting so Trainees will be required to carry keys and keep all gates locked at all times. The children are encouraged to attend a range of activities so Education, the gym, family visits and interventions, such as psychological counselling. Given the emphasis on education and on the system having to respond quickly to violence and risk t may sometimes be delays to sessions and difficulties accessing children, so booked sessions may need to be rescheduled. The environment is challenging but is one in which a Trainee counselling psychologist will build on their resilience, clinical experience and partner with a creative and dedicated specialist staff team including custodial officers and a multi-disciplinary CAMHS team.
The fundamentals
The Trainee Counselling Psychologist (s) on placement will work from YCS Psychology Services made up of Trainee Forensic Psychologists at various stages of training, Registered Psychologists from various divisions and Family Therapists. Clinical supervision will be provided by a registered Psychologist.
The Trainee(s) can agree to a 6 month placement, however a 12 month contract and longer is preferred because it provides a better depth of experience and learning. The Trainee will attend the placement once a week. Days are negotiable. They can see up to four clients, depending on experience and gaining familiarity with the setting. If the YOI has a family therapist the Trainee may want to join the Family Therapy team. T are opportunities for assessment, formulation, treatment planning and therapy. Possible therapeutic approaches include CBT, DBT skills, ACT and psychodynamic/attachment based work, depending on client need. With any approach, trainees will work with the social and cultural contexts of the child, and with an awareness of trauma informed principles.
Application process
The placement will be advertised on the civil service jobs website. Due to the security of the environment it is important that a good fit between the Trainee Counselling Psychologist and the placement is found. Tfore applicants will be asked to provide a CV and covering letter explaining how they see their experience and skills fit this placement. Interviews will be offered in order to further ensure a suitable fit. Interviews will focus on the Trainee’s understanding of what it means to work in a secure environment, responding to the children’s needs and dealing with challenges to resilience that this placement may pose as well as on multi-disciplinary team working within such a setting. The interview panel may include a child.
The successful Trainee will need to have enhanced DBS clearance. Undertaking Prison Service security checks after the interview will also be necessary. This process can take several weeks. The successful Trainee will undertake a brief induction programme to ensure they know about Prison Service processes and about the teams that they will be working with as well as feel confident in the environment. You will also be required to produce a Covering Letter.
- THIS PLACEMENT IS FOR TRAINEE COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGISTS ONLY. Your application will only be considered if you have a BPS recognised Psychology Bachelor’s Degree and are currently engaged in a qualification to register as a Counselling Psychologist. PLEASE DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DO NOT MEET THIS REQUIREMENT.
Additional information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements w 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, w 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.
