Principal Registered Psychologist - Psychology Services - Enable Learning and Development Psychology Lead (Ref: 20713)

Location: Staffordshire, UK; Elgin Ave., London W9 2NR, UK; Wales, UKSalary: 73,513 - 86,082 per yearEmployment: Full timeCategory: HealthcarePosted: 2026-08-03Valid to: 2026-08-18Apply: https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/20713?entityId=20713Employer: HM Prison & Probation ServiceJob summaryThis position is based NationallyJob descriptionEnable Learning and Development Psychology Lead (Band 9 Principal Psychologist) - National Role - Full Time – PermanentWe are excited to announce this opportunity for a Band 9 Psychologist to lead in the development, learning, and testing of Psychology supported components of the Enable Transformation Programme. The successful candidate will play a critical role in working as part of a wider HMPPS Programme team. They will support the learning and development of this priority HMPPS change programme, working with central teams and sites to develop and inform evidence-based conditions for change. A specific focus of the role will be the Reflective Skills Framework, although contribution, support, and learning around wider Enable products, including the leadership offer, will be a key part of the role. The individual’s work will be central in pulling together key learning and informing both design principles and operational decisions to support the implementation of key products and process developed within the programme. The work will be critical in enabling HMPPS to deliver its vision ‘Working together to protect the public and help people lead law-abiding and positive lives’ through an open learning culture; transforming through partnership; enabling people to be their best; and modernising our estate and technology.This role will work alongside the Enable 5-year plan to deliver priority activity of the programme. This is a national role although there will be an expectation that the successful candidate will be able to travel to relevant sites and HQ as necessary. These will include those sites included in the London Regional Pilot, LTHSE and Early Adopter sites (Lancaster Farms, Channings Wood, Guys Marsh, Cardiff, Downview). There will also be a requirement to deliver training and presentations at other national venues.Enable Programme Five-Year Plan (2025–2030)The Enable Programme Five-Year Plan sets out how we (HMPPS) will strengthen learning, capability, and leadership across the prison workforce between 2025 and 2030. It is not a single learning offer. It is a long-term workforce transformation programme that brings together a joined-up development system, supporting staff from entry into role, through progression, and into leadership.The plan reflects a simple truth: the performance of the prison system depends on our people. When staff feel confident, capable, and supported, they are better able to manage risk, build professional relationships, make sound decisions, and deliver consistent outcomes.Our ambition is that by 2030, we want a workforce that is confident and capable, has strong leadership at every level, works professionally and consistently, and contributes to safer prisons and better outcomes.Enable aims to deliver:better support for new startersclearer development pathwaysstronger leadership and management capabilitygreater pride and professional identity The Enable Learning and Development Psychology Lead will work to support the aims of the programme and in doing so work extremely closely with the London Regional Pilot Enable Band 9, and the Enable Lead for LTHSE. Work will be overseen and co-ordinated through the Psychology Services Enable Lead: Directorate Lead for Corporate Services, Governance, Safety and London (Giles McCathie). As such both roles will be line managed by the Band 10 Area Lead for London. Roles explained:The successful applicant will support this work centrally and continue to support Psychology staff across relevant sites. There will be some expectation to visit sites delivering Enable products, this will be dependent on existing site support and required learning opportunities. Good visible leadership will be required, and the successful candidate will be expected to be a visible champion for Enable at senior levels, including presentations at senior forums. The successful candidate will be expected to travel and attend meetings in person both at sites and London HQ. Additional responsibilities of the role will include:Will contribute as part of the Enable Management Team.The role will contribute to the psychological design of leadership and management development offers across all levels of the prison workforce, supporting Enable’s ambition to build a sustainable leadership pipeline.Support the cultural and behavioural conditions required for successful workforce transformation.Support the development of psychologically informed evaluation approaches to assess the impact, adoption, and sustainability of Enable products. This is an exciting opportunity to enhance skills and experience. Working alongside a major HMPPS programme is likely to stretch the applicant’s skills whilst working as a psychologist but also linking with a wide and varied range of stakeholder on this important service wide transformation. Updates and input at Senior level boards will be a necessary activity for both roles. The individual will be a critical link across departments and specialist areas and be expected to work using tested models of behaviour change and other evidence informed approaches. For more details on the role and further discussion please contact Giles McCathie.Person specificationPlease refer to Job DescriptionLicencesThe job holder will be a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. The job holder will be a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. Possess a professional background in Psychology. Experience in providing clinical supervision. Completed relevant training in effective models of treatment and best practise. The job holder are likely to also be a Chartered Psychologist and Full member of the appropriate division of the BPS if the post requires it. Please note that being a Chartered Psychologist is desirable but not essential They will have been registered for over two years.MembershipsThe job holder will be a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. The job holder will be a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Professions Council and eligible to use a protected title. Possess a professional background in Psychology. Experience in providing clinical supervision. Completed relevant training in effective models of treatment and best practise. The job holder are likely to also be a Chartered Psychologist and Full member of the appropriate division of the BPS if the post requires it. Please note that being a Chartered Psychologist is desirable but not essential They will have been registered for over two years.LanguagesWritten and Spoken EnglishBehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:Making Effective DecisionsCommunicating and InfluencingWorking TogetherManaging a Quality ServiceBenefitsAlongside your salary of 73,513, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes 21,296 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).Access to learning and developmentA working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balanceA working culture which encourages inclusion and diversityA Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%Annual LeavePublic HolidaysSeason Ticket AdvanceFor 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. Link: Things you need to knowArtificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis job is broadly open to the following groups:UK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.Diversity and InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).Apply and further informationThis vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicantsJob contact : Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries TeamEmail : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.ukTelephone : 0345 241 5358Recruitment teamEmail : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.ukFurther informationAppointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: