Clinical Lead - Head of Psychology

Location: HMP Dovegate, Staffordshire, ST14 8XR
Salary: £68,750 - £75,870 per annum, dependant on experience plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Full time, 40 hours per week

Ready to impact a better future?

As Clinical Lead and Head of Psychology within our Therapeutic Community, you'll hold a pivotal leadership role within our Therapeutic Community senior management team, shaping and sustaining psychologically safe, high‑performing Therapeutic Communities that genuinely change lives.

This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to influence practice at both strategic and clinical levels, driving excellence for individuals with complex and high‑risk needs. You'll provide senior clinical leadership across all Therapeutic Communities, with overarching responsibility for psychological governance, quality and assurance. Alongside this, you will clinically lead and develop two Assessment TCs, setting the standard for trauma‑informed, values‑led and evidence‑based practice.

Your leadership will directly impact employee confidence, community culture and treatment outcomes, making this an ideal role for an experienced psychologist motivated by innovation, collaboration and meaningful change. This role offers genuine influence, professional autonomy and the opportunity to shape the future direction of Therapeutic Communities at a strategic level, while staying closely connected to clinical practice. You’ll work alongside an experienced, values‑driven leadership team who are committed to learning, innovation and continuous improvement.

If you are motivated by meaningful impact, clinical excellence and the chance to lead work that truly transforms lives, this is a rare and exciting opportunity to make your mark.

Looking for a next step as a Head of Psychology, Clinical Director, or Principal Psychologist? This could be the ideal career move.

What you’ll do as a Clinical Lead and Head of Psychology

You’ll be entrusted to:

• Lead and govern psychology delivery and research across the TCs, ensuring compliance with British Psychological Society (BPS) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards
• Clinically lead the two Assessment TCs
• Ensure accredited Therapeutic Community models are delivered, embedded and maintained 24/7
• Oversee assessment activity, formulation, report writing and parole‑related psychological input to agreed standards and timeframes
• Drive quality assurance, audit readiness and continuous improvement in line with regulatory and accreditation frameworks
• Represent the Therapeutic Community at regional and national forums, contributing to the wider TC network and national best practice

Does this sound like you?

You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have…

• Chartered status with the British Psychological Society and registration as a Practitioner Psychologist with the HCPC
• Significant post‑qualification experience in forensic or custodial settings, including therapeutic environments
• Proven experience leading and developing multidisciplinary clinical teams
• Strong expertise in psychological assessment, formulation, risk assessment and governance
• Confidence working at senior level, influencing stakeholders and balancing clinical integrity with operational delivery

Vetting and checks:

An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. This includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and any relevant information held by local police, in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and safeguarding requirements. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire to allow us to provide any support needed for you to succeed in the role.

Discover all you need to keep growing

We’re one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you’ll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we’re proud to offer clear development opportunities – and the support and tools to help you seize them.

What we offer

• 23 days' annual leave (increasing to 25 days with tenure) plus bank holidays
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Performance‑based bonus scheme
• Company car
• Private medical insurance
• Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
• Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco‑managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Paid volunteering day, tax‑free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Our empployee networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

A little bit about us:
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our inclusive recruitment commitment:
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
  
  

For support with your application, please contact recruitmentuk@serco.com.

Impact a better future. Apply today.