Forensic psychologist: How? What? Where?

University courses Medicine & Psychology
1

What?

You will be working with prisoners, the judicial and the penal system to asses evidence and develop methods.

The role job might involve

  • One-to-one assessment to asses the risk of reoffending, risk to self and determine appropriate treatment.
  • Evidence based criminal profiling and statsistical analysis of this…
  • Develop, mantain and review appropriate offender treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
  • Evaliuate situations affecting prisoners and prisoners rehabilitation .
  • Training to support forensic staff in witness testimony and other memeber of the workforce.
  • Provide expert witness testimony at court
  • Contribute to policy and strategy development

Working hours

As a forensic psychologist you’ll usually work a 37-hour week from Monday to Friday, although there may be some flexibility required. 9-5 with flex basica;ly

Where?

  • Prisons, secure hospitals, rehabilitation units and police stations. You may also have to travel to court to provide expert witness testimony.
  • You need to be prepared to work with a range of offenders including young people, violent or sexual offenders, and offenders with severe personality disorders. You’ll also work closely with other staff groups, including prison officers, psychiatrists and senior managers.
  • the Home Office
  • the NHS - in special hospitals and rehabilitation units, local forensic services and secure hospitals
  • Parole boards
  • Mental health tribunals
  • The police
  • Social services
  • Universities - in research and lecturing roles.

Salary ranges

  • Trainee forensic psychologists working for HM Prison Service (HMPS) can be paid a starting salary of between £27,021 and £34,461.
  • Fully-qualified, registered psychologists within HMPS earn between £38,148 and £43,870 (band 7), while senior registered psychologists can earn £42,626 and £51,154 (band 8). Salaries in London will be higher.
  • Salaries for forensic psychologists within the NHS are at a similar level. Those in training are on Band 6 of the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scale and earn £32,306 to £39,027, while fully-qualified psychologists (Band 7) earn between £40,057 and £45,839.

How to get there:

  • Completing a BPS-accredited psychology degree or conversion course to have Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).
  • You must then complete a BPS-accredited Masters in Forensic psychology, which usually takes one year full time or two years part time.
  • Completing The British Psychological Society (BPS) Qualification in Forensic Psychology (QOP) Stage 2.
1 Like