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We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

The placements are unpaid but there may be an agreement to pay travel if required.

Trainee Counselling Psychologist Placement with Youth Custody Service (YCS)

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 there 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 where 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

There are four Young Offenders Institutions (YOI): Cookham wood, HMYOI Feltham and HMYOI Wetherby and 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 there 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. There 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. Therefore 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.

Contact / questions welcome so if you are interested in finding out more before applying. Please email: [email protected]

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.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Developing Self and Others
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Currently engaged in a Counselling Psychology Doctorate programme at a University

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Job contact :

Name :
SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
Email :
[email protected]
Telephone :
0845 241 5358

Recruitment team :

Email :
[email protected]