Head of Psychology – Prison Service

Job title:

Head of Psychology – Prison Service

Company

Cpl Group

Job description

Job Description
Cpl Healthcare in partnership with the Irish Prison Service acre currently recruiting an experienced Head of Psychologist to contribute to the provision of prison psychology services.The IPS Head of Psychology will provide overall strategic direction and leadership to the Psychology Service and broader therapeutic services, whilst retaining a broader IPS organisational focus. The Head of Psychology takes an ‘outward’ focus in relation to the Psychology Service; developing and maintaining key IPS and external relationships, considering best national and international practice and considering how the Psychology Service reaches its impact potential.The successful candidate will be expected to provide leadership in devising and implementing change strategy, gaining buy-in from key stakeholders and leading Psychology Service staff.Duties and Responsibilities
As the Head of Psychology, you may have responsibility in areas such as:

• Formulating and developing policies, business plans and expenditure budgets.
• Participating in meetings with national and international organisations
• Responding to Parliamentary Questions and Press Queries.
• Contract Management.

Furthermore, as the Head of Psychology, you may be required to act as a representative for the Irish Prison Psychology Service in the media, at Oireachtas Committees, and may also represent the Irish Prison Service at a European and international level.The above is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.Essential RequirementsEssential Qualifications
Candidates must, on or before 28th February 2025, have:

• Be eligible for graduate membership of the Psychology Society of Ireland (PSI)

AND
(a) Hold, a recognised professional post-graduate qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology. Psychology.
AND
Essential ExperienceCandidates must have at least 8 years’ satisfactory post graduate experience.

• This must comprise 3 full years’ experience at managerial level in the field of Psychology.
• Possess the necessary skill and competencies required to carry out the role.
• Possess excellent leadership, decision-making and people management skills.
• Possess excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
• Possess excellent professional knowledge/skills.
• Have a clear understanding of evidenced-based best practice in relation to psychological services for prisoners.
• Have a clear understanding of supervision process and line management process.
• Have a clear understanding of professional ethics.
• Have a clear vision of the contribution of the Psychology Service to the Irish Prison Service, the wider Criminal Justice System and mental healthcare in Ireland.
• Have the ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines and to take a strategic approach in the delivery of key policy objectives, to foster a positive working relationship with colleagues and external stakeholders and to lead and work in multi-disciplinary teams, including cross-stream reporting.
• Strong organisational awareness, including an awareness of the broader operating environment (or an ability to quickly develop same);
• Otherwise, possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including ability to communicate effectively) and be suitable to efficiently discharge the duties of the post.
• Hold a clean Drivers Licence

Headquarters
The headquarters will be at the Irish Prison Service, Longford and as such may be designated
from time to time by the Head of the Department/Office. The IPS also has sub offices located
in Phibsboro, Dublin 1 and in Portlaoise and these can made available as an option for remote
working with a requirement to attend HQ, Longford on a regular basis if required.N.B. Applications will close at 5pm on February 28th 2025.For further information on this opportunity or for a full Job specification please contact Stephen on 014825424 or email your CV to

Expected salary

Location

Leinster

Job date

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 07:08:52 GMT

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