Psychology in the Public Sector

The great majority of psychologists employed in the UK work in what could be broadly defined as the public sector (if this is seen as the Civil Service, Local Government, the NHS and the UK’s Universities). The career options for psychologists in the NHS and as academics or researchers are considered in other papers on this website, so this article looks at the options in the rest of the public sector.
There are three main groups of employers:
- Local Education Authorities;
- The Prison Service; and
- The Civil Service.
To some extent these different employers tend to offer work to particular disciplines within psychology, ie Educational, Forensic and Occupational Psychologists respectively. However, it is not that clear cut as, for example a Sports and Exercise Psychologist may work with schools (exercise programmes to minimise childhood obesity) or in a prison. A Clinical Psychologist may work with individual offenders etc.
Local Education Authorities
By law every authority must provide an Education Advisory Service staffed by Educational Psychologists. In the main, this work can either involve providing advice on dealing with particular learning difficulties (visual impairment, dyslexia, emotional problems or the impact of certain physical difficulties on learning) or helping individual pupils.Individual pupils may be referred to a psychologist either by the school or at the request of parents. In most cases parental consent is needed for a referral and, if at all possible, parents are fully involved in any discussions and in agreeing what actions need to be undertaken.
Each education authority is responsible for its own recruitment of educational psychologists. However, most jobs are also advertised in the British Psychological Society (BPS) publication “Psychology Appointments”, available from their website.
Prison Service
As noted above, in the main the prison service recruits Forensic Psychologists and these can either be employed centrally or allocated to individual prisons. Those employed centrally will often work on developing policy on issues such as suicide, self-harm or hostage negotiation techniques. The work in prisons may involve working with specific groups of inmates such as those facing life or convicted of sex offenses. Equally psychologists will be involved in training prison officers in the discharge of their regular duties.Overall, psychologists play a key role in “risk assessment” of individual offenders so as to understand an individual’s attitude to crime and to design appropriate psychological interventions.
Many existing forensic psychologists strongly advise undertaking a period of work experience – in a prison setting or the probation service. This both helps you to decide if this type of work is for you and to convince admissions tutors that you are committed to your career choice.
Re: Working in the UK with a Psychology Degree from Abroad
I have done post graduation in Psychology from India and have 10 years experience as counselling…
Re: Working in the UK with a Psychology Degree from Abroad
I'm graduating with a bachelor's in psychology and a minor in Criminal investigation. Could I…
Re: Working in the UK with a Psychology Degree from Abroad
I have dual UK/USA citizenship and I hope to be a Counselling Psychologist in the UK in a few…
Re: Working in the UK with a Psychology Degree from Abroad
Hi, If I have a diploma from a course which is accredited by BACP, can I find jobs in the UK?
Re: Working in the UK with a Psychology Degree from Abroad
I have completed my postgraduation in Psychology from India. I want to work in uk as a…
Re: Working as a Psychologist in the EU
What countries recognise the BPS clinical psychology qualification. I am in my final year of the doctorate and I would…
Re: Working in the UK with a Psychology Degree from Abroad
Hi, if you are a general registered psychologist in australia, are you able to work as a…
Re: Working in the UK with a Psychology Degree from Abroad
Hello there. I am almost finished my Australian internship and will be registered as a general…
Re: Working in the UK with a Psychology Degree from Abroad
Hi I have a bachelors degree in sociology and I am about to start my masters in Clinical…
Re: Working in the UK with a Psychology Degree from Abroad
Hi I have 13 years of experience from India with a Postgraduate degree (M. Phil) in Clinical…