Principal Specialist Psychologist - Prison Service

Job Description
Cpl Healthcare in partnership with the Irish Prison Service acre currently recruiting an experienced Principal Specialist Psychologist to contribute to the provision of prison psychology services.

The successful Principal Specialist Psychologist’s role will include, but is not limited to, holding and managing a clinical caseload, working with local prison psychology services to deliver the highest quality intervention, and leading in the development of services for people in custody who sexually offend. The appointed person will have oversight of all psychological treatment (offence related and mental health) for all people convicted of sexual violence across the prison estate.  The Principal Specialist Psychologist will have responsibility for the remaining prison population in whichever prison the majority of people convicted of sexual violence are accommodated (currently Arbour Hill Prison, Midlands Prison, the Training Unit, Mountjoy Prison and The Grove, Castlerea).

Post Location
Arbour Hill Prison, Irish Prison Psychology Service Headquarters, Arbour Hill, Dublin 7

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Essential Qualifications
Candidates must, on or before 16th May 2025, have:

• Have a recognised University Degree or Diploma (QQI level 8 equivalent) obtained with 1st or 2nd class honours in which Psychology was taken as a major subject and honours obtained in that subject;

and
 

• Hold, a recognised professional post-graduate qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland in clinical, counselling or educational psychology or an equivalent qualification validated by the Department of Health.  

Essential Experience

• Applicants must have at least 8 years satisfactory postgraduate experience in the area of professional Clinical or Counselling Psychology. 
• Applicants must be a member of the Psychological Society of Ireland
• The eight years’ experience must comprise no less than three years’ experience as a Senior Psychologist, Clinical or Counselling.
• 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.
• Demonstrate experience working with people with severe and enduring mental illness or people with a history of offending behaviour.

Desirable:

• Hold a clean drivers licence;

• Demonstrate significant experience in addressing mental health and criminogenic needs using evidence informed psychological approaches;
• Demonstrate competence in delivering professional Psychological Services;
• Demonstrate excellent people management skills;
• Display sound judgement and decision-making skills, particularly under pressure;
• Demonstrate evidence of ability to work effectively as part of a team, within a multi-disciplinary framework;
• Demonstrate evidence of effective leadership and innovation;
• Possess excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills;
• Have a clear understanding of the supervision and line management process;
• Understand the contribution of IPS Psychological Services to the IPS, the wider Criminal Justice System and mental healthcare in Ireland;
• Have an ability to work effectively under pressure;
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the issues involved in the application of psychological skills in the context of social disadvantage.

How to Apply
The IPS are working in partnership with our Recruitment provider, Cpl Healthcare for this appointment and we ask all interested candidates must complete the Application Process comprising the following:

• Cover Letter outlining suitability and motivation for the role
• Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae

Closing Date
To express interest and request a full job specification please send your Cover Letter and CV to Apply. Applications will not be accepted after 5pm on May 16th