Description:

Senior (Grade I) Clinical or Counselling Psychologist - Irish Prison Service

Portlaoise Campus

Locum Senior (Grade I) Clinical or Counselling Psychologist, Nationwide (Band 8a equiv.) for the Portlaoise campus. 

Portlaoise prison is a closed high security prison for adult males. It is the committal prison for those sent to custody from the Special Criminal Court and prisoners accommodated here include those linked with subversive crime.

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) is made up of 10 closed prisons and two open centres. Typically, the IPS manages approximately 4,000 people in custody at any one time, both male and female, aged 18 and over.

The IPS Psychology Service is made up of a Head of Psychological Services, supported by a Principal Psychologist Manager, a Principal Specialist Psychologist, Senior Psychologists, Psychologists, Clinical Trainee Psychologists, Assistant Psychologists, Post-Doctoral Researcher and Research Assistants. In addition, we also support placement opportunities for Clinical and Counselling Psychologists in Training and Masters Students. IPS Psychology Service Headquarters is based on the grounds of Arbour Hill Prison, Dublin 7.

The IPS Psychology Service is a national psychological service. Psychologists work as part of broad multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) within all prisons across the country. The Service holds the principle of equivalence of care as its foundation. As the IPS Psychology Service provides an integrated, layered model of care, which is bio-psycho-social, strengths-based and recovery focused and balances this with the principles of Risk, Need and Responsivity (RNR). It accepts referrals for a broad range of mental health and criminogenic need. The Service prides itself on thorough, individualised, evidence-based assessment and interventions with clients, and to this end, there are excellent Continuing Professional Development opportunities for all staff members. 

The appointed Grade I (Senior) Psychologist will support the team of Psychologists and the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to assess and intervene with people who have been referred to the IPS Psychology Service in relation to any, or a combination of the following: a) mental health difficulties including, but not exclusive to: Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Disorders of Personality and Behaviour, complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviour, Eating Disorders, Psychosis and Schizophrenia, Addiction, and b) offence-specific needs, including the need for formal offence related risk assessments, preparation of Parole Board reports, offence related group and individual work, complex case consultation and risk management work. In addition to the above presentations, the Service works with people presenting with developmental disorders, intellectual difficulties, cognitive decline, traumatic brain injuries, people with limited literacy, and people from a wide variety of cultural (national and international) backgrounds. Interventions include a variety of evidence based group and 1:1 interventions. 

Prison-based Psychologists have regular contact with community agencies involved in the support and resettlement of people leaving custody. They also work with the families and carers of those in custody. Where clinically appropriate, IPS Psychologists provide time-limited community intervention(s) to support a client’s transition from custody to community.

The Service plays a critical role in supporting the broader IPS organisation (and Criminal Justice Agency partners, as required) through consultation, training and education. Placements are available for psychologists-in-training and the Service provides regular input to training programmes. Psychologists are also involved in research in conjunction with various Universities.  

Essential qualifications

Candidates must:

(a) Be eligible for graduate membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or the British Psychological Society (BPS).

and

(b) (i) Hold a postgraduate professional qualification in Clinical Psychology recognised by PSI. (Applicants with qualifications obtained outside of Ireland must obtain a statement of equivalence in Clinical Psychology from the Department of Health);

or

(b) (ii) Hold a postgraduate professional qualification in Counselling Psychology recognised by PSI. (Applicants with qualifications obtained outside of Ireland must obtain a statement of equivalence in Counselling Psychology from the Department of Health);

and

(c) a minimum of two years’ experience as a Staff Grade Psychologist (Grade II).

Essential Requirements:

Ø Possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

Ø Demonstrate experience working with people with severe and enduring mental illness and personality disorder.

For further information, please contact Brian Murray on +353 1 482 5421 / +353 872226752 or email brian.murray@cplhealthcare.com

Potential applicants who are considering relocating to Ireland and may have queries or concerns relating to the current Irish validation process should feel free to contact the IPS Psychology Service through CPL Healthcare to discuss and seek support on the process.