Someone like you
As a psychologist at HM Prison and Probation Service, your work will help complex people to lead better lives. Your assessments and interventions will help:
- to make custody a safer, rehabilitative experience
- increase understanding of offending behaviour and what motivates people to change
- protect the public
The role can be challenging, but this makes for an extremely rewarding career and will give you the chance to have a real impact on peoples lives.
There are 2 ways you can join HMPPS as a psychologist, as a:
- trainee forensic psychologist (applications generally open once a year)
- qualified psychologist (a practitioner, managerial, strategic or specialist role)
Many psychologists start their careers as group workers/intervention facilitators to gain experience before applying for trainee roles.
HMPPS psychologist – an extraordinary job. Done by someone like you.
- For qualified roles, you must be qualified and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Trainees will be funded to achieve registered status
- Ongoing academic and professional development for registered psychologists
- Need to be resilient, non-discriminatory and non-judgemental, and able to build trust with offenders
- Work in a range of teams and different environments
- A wide range of opportunities to specialise and progress
Pay and benefits
The starting salaries below and are based on working a 37 hour week and depend on your location and experience.
| Inner London | Outer London | All other regions | |
| Group worker/interventions facilitator (band 4) | £36,842 | £35,182 | £31,995 |
| Trainee psychologist (band 5) | £39,386 | £37,802 | £34,760 |
| Qualified registered psychologist (band 7) | £55,150 | £53,490 | £50,303 |