Supervision of Forensic Psychologists in Training

HM Prisons and Probation Service, as part of the justice system, plays a crucial role in society. HMPPS protects the public, maintains safe and secure prisons and reduces the risk that people will reoffend. We work together to help people to live law abiding and positive lives.

HMPPS delivers the government's vision and investment to make prisons places of safety and reform and to ensure probation services support the rehabilitation of offenders while protecting the public.We provide safe and supportive environments, where people work through the reasons that caused them to offend and prepare for a more positive future.

The Psychology Services Group (PSG) provides evidence-based, psychological, and therapeutic services to support people in custody and on probation aimed at reducing their risk of harm and reoffending. It is one of the largest training organisations for Forensic Psychologists.

Staff provide a HMPPS-wide specialist service and defensible evidence to support decision-making and influence operational policy at a National, Regional, and local level.

Psychological services are largely broken down into assessment, intervention, training, research/projects, and consultancy advice and support.

This specific requirement is for the services of suitably qualified and experienced Registered Forensic Psychologists (with at least 2 years post qualification experience) to provide Supervision to Forensic Psychologists in Training. Services will be required on both a regular and ad-hoc basis to support work usually undertaken by HMPPS staff.

There are two aspects to supervision in the context of Forensic Psychologists in Training;

• Co-ordinating Supervisor / Clinical Supervisor (CS) - Guidance and Development of individual trainees throughout their qualification.
• Additional Supervisor/ Designated Supervisor - Supervision of Individual pieces of work or projects as required.

HMPPS require the ability to procure services to support the internal capacity to deliver. These will vary over time in volume and frequency and the Authority has established a Framework for delivery of this service. There are no guaranteed volumes for the services required.

Supervision of Forensic Psychologists in Training can be conducted remotely for the majority of the cases. There may be occasions where in-person supervision may be required.

All Supervision Services commissioned by HMPPS PSG must meet the required Quality Standards and registration requirements set by the process relevant to the type of Supervision or Qualification route (e.g. Qualification guidance, internal guidance documents). A key part of the service involves supervising psychological risk assessments to assist Parole Board decision making, so competency in this area will be required.