20804 - National Specialist Lead x2 (One of which is HSP specific) (National)
| Company: | Ministry of Justice |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £57,398 to £68,357 a year |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | National, NP10 8FZ |
| Working pattern: | Hybrid - 2 days remote |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 26 Aug 2026 |
| Closing date: | 14 Sept 2026 |
Summary
Interventions Services National Specialist Lead PERMANENT
Directorate: Rehabilitation & Change
Job Title: Interventions Services National Specialist Lead
Grade: HMPPS Band 8
Job description
The National Specialist Lead (NSL) within HMPPS Headquarters is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and maintenance of specialist interventions aimed at reducing reoffending. The role ensures that accredited and nonaccredited programmes are evidence based, clinically robust, and aligned with organisational priorities. NSLs design and oversee interventions and related products for complex groups, including those convicted of violent and sexual offences, and ensure programmes respond to evolving research, policy, and population needs.
NSLs provide expert clinical and operational advice across HMPPS and to external partners. They offer strategic guidance to senior managers, commissioners, psychologists, and practitioners, supporting high quality intervention delivery in prisons and the community. This includes advising on programme development, policy, training requirements, and emerging practice, ensuring HMPPS maintains a strong national and international reputation for effective rehabilitation.
A core part of the role is delivering high quality national training for staff who facilitate offending behaviour programmes. NSLs design and update training materials, deliver training and ensure that staff are prepared to deliver effective, evidence-based interventions. They also lead innovation, developing new interventions and assessment tools to respond to gaps in provision, changes in needs, commissioning priorities, and wider political or strategic shifts.
Overall, the NSL plays a crucial leadership role in ensuring HMPPS offers effective, evidence-based interventions that support rehabilitation and public protection, while also maintaining their own specialist expertise through ongoing professional development to retain credibility with commissioners, practitioners, and external stakeholders.
Candidates should note that one of the roles is National Specialist Lead for Healthy Sex Programme (HSP). For this role the successful candidate must be HCPC Registered and/or chartered registered psychologist.
This campaign is to recruit 2 permanent B8 National Specialist Leads. Applicants should note there is also a temporary NSL campaign that's running Simultaneously. Applicants should apply to all campaigns they are interested in.
Key responsibilities
Designing and Developing Interventions
Leading the design, development, accreditation, training, implementation, support, and maintenance of both accredited and non‑accredited offending behaviour programmes (including specialist assessments).
Ensuring Clinical Integrity and Evidence-Based Practice
Ensuring all interventions are clinically robust, grounded in international evidence, fit for purpose, defensible, and developed through consultation with stakeholders. Aligning all products with HMPPS’ strategic priorities for reducing reoffending.
Providing Expert Clinical and Operational Advice
Offering advice to senior commissioners, HMPPS delivery sites, other government departments, and external partners. Contributing to briefings, parliamentary responses, policy development, and strategic decision‑making.
Supporting Stakeholders and Building Partnerships
Working collaboratively across HMPPS and with external agencies to share expertise, ensure programmes meet local needs, contribute to cross‑government groups, and respond to changes in populations and commissioning requirements.
Leading and Delivering Specialist Training
Designing, updating, and delivering national specialist training to ensure staff are equipped to deliver high quality, evidence-based intervention
Innovation and Product Development
Leading the development of new interventions and assessment tools, identifying gaps in provision, ensuring products are contemporary, evidence‑informed, and delivered on time. Considering political change, population needs, and emerging evidence.
Maintaining Professional Competence
Staying current in understanding and applying the evidence base on effective rehabilitation, and in relation to specific cohorts.
Additional Duties
Undertaking other tasks appropriate to the grade when required, with any significant changes discussed in line with job evaluation processes.
Technical Requirements
Registered Psychologist or Qualified Probation Officer.
Essential Skills
Specialist skills and expertise relating to the assessment and treatment of individuals in prison or in the community.
A minimum of five years’ experience of working with people who have offended in a community or custody setting.
Proven experience of providing training to multi-disciplinary staff.
Desirable skills
Experience of working with individuals who have specific responsively needs e.g. learning disability.
Experience of delivering and supervising an accredited offending behaviour programme.
Experience of delivering, supervising and managing accredited programmes in custody or in the community.
Proven training/experience of providing clinical supervision to facilitators who deliver treatment.
Chartered and / or Registered with HCPC.
Further information
If you would like further information about the role you should reach out to either cara.cunningham@justice.gov.uk or Aubrey.vanzyl@justice.gov.uk
Applicants can also see more details about the role here: [https://sway.cloud.microsoft/PHHugKEGuaxqrE2B?ref=email]
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