Location: HMP Dovegate, Staffordshire, ST14 8XR
Salary: £68,750 - £75,870 per annum, dependant on experience plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Full time – 40 hours per week
Ready to impact a better future?
As Clinical Lead and Head of Psychology within our Therapeutic Community, you will hold a pivotal leadership role within our Therapeutic Community senior management team, shaping and sustaining psychologically safe, high‑performing Therapeutic Communities that genuinely change lives.
This is a rare opportunity to influence practice at both strategic and clinical levels, driving excellence for individuals with complex and high‑risk needs. As a Principal Psychologist, you will provide senior clinical leadership across all Therapeutic Communities, with overarching responsibility for psychological governance, quality and assurance. Alongside this, you will clinically lead and develop two Assessment TCs, setting the standard for trauma‑informed, values‑led and evidence‑based practice.
Your leadership will directly impact staff confidence, community culture and treatment outcomes, making this an ideal role for an experienced psychologist motivated by innovation, collaboration and meaningful change. This role offers genuine influence, professional autonomy and the opportunity to shape the future direction of Therapeutic Communities at a strategic level, while staying closely connected to clinical practice. You’ll work alongside an experienced, values‑driven leadership team who are committed to learning, innovation and continuous improvement.
If you are motivated by meaningful impact, clinical excellence and the chance to lead work that truly transforms lives, this is a rare opportunity to make your mark.
What you’ll do as a Clinical Lead / Head of Psychology
You’ll be entrusted to:
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Lead and govern psychology delivery and research across the TCs, ensuring compliance with British Psychological Society (BPS) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards
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Clinically lead the two Assessment TCs
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Ensure accredited Therapeutic Community models are delivered, embedded and maintained 24/7
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Oversee assessment activity, formulation, report writing and parole‑related psychological input to agreed standards and timeframes
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Drive quality assurance, audit readiness and continuous improvement in line with regulatory and accreditation frameworks
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Represent the Therapeutic Community at regional and national forums, contributing to the wider TC network and national best practice
Does this sound like you?
You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have…
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Chartered status with the British Psychological Society and registration as a Practitioner Psychologist with the HCPC
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Significant post‑qualification experience in forensic or custodial settings, including therapeutic environments
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Proven experience leading and developing multidisciplinary clinical teams
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Strong expertise in psychological assessment, formulation, risk assessment and governance
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Confidence working at senior level, influencing stakeholders and balancing clinical integrity with operational delivery
Vetting and checks:
An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. This includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and any relevant information held by local police, in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and safeguarding requirements. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire to allow us to provide any support needed for you to succeed in the role.
Discover all you need to keep growing
We’re one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you’ll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we’re proud to offer clear development opportunities – and the support and tools to help you seize them.
What we offer
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Holiday entitlement: starts at 23 days plus bank holidays (increasing to 25 days with tenure)
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Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
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Bonus: A performance‑based bonus scheme
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Company car: A company car
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Private medical insurance
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Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
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Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco‑managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
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Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
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Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax‑free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
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Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.
Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.
About Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.
By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.
At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.
At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.
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