Work Psychologist

Job description

Job summary

We are looking to welcome nine new Work Psychologists to the DWP Work Psychology Service, joining a vibrant and diverse community of nearly 100 practitioners who make a real difference every day.

As a Work Psychologist, you will use evidence-based occupational psychology tools and techniques to support DWP customers (people receiving benefits through Jobcentre services) to move closer to and into employment. Many of the customers you will work with live with health conditions, disabilities, or other significant challenges that can make accessing work more difficult. You will make a positive impact through one-to-one assessments and group-based interventions with customers, and by building the capability of Jobcentre colleagues to apply psychological principles in their work. You will have the opportunity to transform the lives of those who often find themselves marginalised from employment and wider society.

This post is part of the wider Government Occupational Psychology Profession (a recognised government specialist profession ). The profession comprises over 250 members across all the major government departments and many agencies and arms-length bodies which makes us the largest Occupational Psychology community in the U.K. We are a vibrant communitywith a long history in government going as far back as, at least, World War II, as shown in the Fifty Years of Occupational Psychology in Britain . The Head of the Government Occupational Psychology Profession is Dr Antonia Dietmann.

Building on the foundation of skills that you developed in your Masters degree, your career in the Government Occupational Psychology Profession will develop both your technical and consultancy capabilities. We welcome people from a range of different backgrounds as this helps to increase the diversity of thought and perspectives when developing solutions. Collaborating across departments and sharing learning is key to how we work. Throughout the year there will be many opportunities to connect with other members of the profession and build the relationships that will make the most rewarding occupational psychology career.

Upon joining the Civil Service you are encouraged to sign up to the profession.

Job description

Under the professional supervision of a Senior Work Psychologist:

• Design and deliver one-to-one interventions to assess the employment related support needs of job seeking customers who are socially excluded, vulnerable or otherwise disadvantaged. The assessment might, for example, focus on the identification of suitable work goals, work solutions or technological support to help customers find, sustain and progress in work.
• Develop and facilitate work-focused group interventions to help job seeking customers build work search skills, positive beliefs about work and make informed employment decisions.
• Facilitate case conferences which are a structured conversational approach with a group of frontline colleagues who are seeking advice on how to progress complex customer cases towards work or other positive life change.
• Provide individual caseload management support to help colleagues effectively support jobseekers assigned to them and to work towards achieving appropriate work-focused outcomes.
• Design and deliver interventions to help colleagues increase their knowledge and skills of job-relevant topics (e.g. mental health and employment) and skills areas (e.g. coaching skills).
• Actively promote the Work Psychology service at all levels of the organisation through collaboration with non-psychologist colleagues, for example through networking with internal and external partners and delivering awareness presentations.
• Use the consultancy cycle to explore issues, implement, evaluate and report effectively the outcomes of bespoke evidence-based interventions to support senior leaders to develop their teams and progress jobseekers.
• Work collaboratively with your line manager to reach an achievable balance between your continuous professional development and job training obligations and frontline business priorities.
• Following probation, you will be required to enrol on and actively work towards a qualification to achieve HCPC Registered Occupational Psychologist status, which is currently the BPS Qualification in Occupational Psychology Stage 2. Your line manager will tell you the appropriate qualification that you will be enrolled on. Post holders will be given some work time to support completion of the qualification. You will receive an allocation of four days per month (pro-rata for non-full time working patterns).
• Chartered Psychologists and Registered Occupational Psychologists are required to supervise Trainee Occupational Psychologists on the qualification to achieve Registered Occupational Psychologist status. If not already registered on the Register of Applied Practice Psychology Supervisors (RAPPS) you will work towards RAPPS eligibility within a reasonable timescale.

The video attached provides an introduction by our Chief Psychologist to the Civil Service and DWP Work Psychology role followed by Work Psychology descriptions of what they enjoy about their role: video

Locations

Please note these roles will be based in our business areas listed:

• North East England Travel across Tees Valley required.
  • To be based in Billingham, Darlington, Eston, Guisborough, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Stockport or Thornaby
• North West England Travel across Cumbria required.
  • To be based in Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, Kendal, Lancaster, Penrith, Whitehaven or Workington
• Scotland Travel across central belt of Scotland (including West Fife and Perthshire, but excluding Edinburgh City and Glasgow City).
  • To be based in Cowdenbeath, Falkirk, Motherwell or Stirling.

Successful candidates will have an opportunity to express a location preference as part of the selection process. The candidate can be based in a Jobcentre office in the area they are allocated as specified above, in discussion with their Line Manager and where capacity exists within the site. Other locations may become available.

All posts cover multiple Jobcentre offices and therefore will involve frequent travel across one or two Districts. Please note some Districts include geographical rural areas with limited public transport access. Occasional travel will be required across the wider Region.

Essential

The ability to travel to various locations within a wide geographical area is essential. Successful candidates will need to travel between Jobcentres to see their customers face to face. The area that you would be expected to cover could involve up to 14 Jobcentres. Some of our vacancies may require a driving licence to be held to achieve this. Please contact the vacancy holder if you have further questions via email: [email protected].

Hybrid Working

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. If a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for the role and for you, you will normally be required to spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted working hours from your DWP office(s).

The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Person specification

Key Criteria

1. You must meet the Qualification and Membership requirements as listed in the Qualifications, Licences and Memberships sections. You must ensure you state the qualifications and membership you hold in the first paragraph of the Personal Statement more information is stated below.
2. Good interpersonal skills to build effective rapport, and an ability to make sense of others experiences, to support the development of self-belief (Lead Key Criteria).
3. Knowledge and understanding of the psychology relating to the issues facing unemployed people.
4. Good verbal and written communication skills and be able to explain how you convey complex information in a way that is easy for others to understand.
5. Demonstrates an active contribution to a team in delivery of shared goals.
6. Understands, adheres and applies British Psychological Society ethical principles and professional standards.
7. Able to find and evaluate different sources of information and use it to reach effective decisions.
8. Able to confidently engage with a wide range of people within and outside the organisation; building trusted relationships, using an evidence-based approach to challenge when appropriate.
9. Able to prioritise and organise own workload, demonstrating personal flexibility.

Qualifications
BSc Psychology (or equivalent) that confers Graduate Basis for Chartership. MSc Occupational Psychology (or equivalent titled course) approved as Stage 1 by the British Psychological Society. Enrolled/eligible to enrol on the British Psychological Society Qualification in Occupational Psychology Stage 2 or have completed MRes part (years 1 and 2) of a professional doctorate in occupational psychology conferring HCPC registration and enrolled on final doctorate component (years 3 & 4) to give eligibility for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society. The WP Qualifications Eligibility Criteria (English) document attached to the vacancy provides further information. If unsure, please contact the British Psychological Society for clarification. You must be ready to provide documentary evidence of the above by 4th November 2026. Should you have any queries concerning qualifications and your eligibility to apply please contact the vacancy holder via [email protected] Queries must be raised in good time to allow us to respond before the closing date, as deadlines cannot be extended.

Memberships
Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society (or eligible to join), i.e. have Graduate Basis for Chartership from undergraduate psychology qualification.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Professional Skills: Knowledge Base
• Professional Skills: Consultancy

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 34,503, Department for Work and Pensions contributes 9,995 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Autonomy over how you deliver your role within the parameters of the Work Psychology business model.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (prorata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 years continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Womens Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

To assist with preparation candidates may wish to read the How to Apply , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)

Written Sift

Proposed sift dates from 26th to 29th October.

Please note that the dates for sifting are indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete apersonal statementof no more than 1250 wordsaddressing how you meet theKey Criteriastated above and provide evidence of your suitability for the role. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Within the first paragraph it is imperative that you state the specific qualifications, membership and licences that you hold. These MUST meet the minimum standards specified in the Qualification, Membership and Licences sections above. Declaration of the awarding institution is required to allow us to verify the qualification held is appropriately accredited by the British Psychological Society. Please use the following wording (to the extent it applies to you). It is your responsibility to check whether the wording applies to you, and to edit the wording accordingly:

I confirm I have completed a BSc Psychology or equivalent [insert correct degree title, institution and date of enrolment] that confers Graduate Basis for Chartership ; a BPS accredited MSc in Occupational Psychology [insert correct degree title, institution and date of enrolment] conferring Stage 1, and I have completed the Stage 2 Qualification in Occupational Psychology. I am currently a Chartered member of the BPS with Full Membership of the Division of Occupational Psychology. I am a Registered Occupational Psychologist with the HCPC with no sanctions or restrictions on my registration.

Should you have any queries concerning qualifications and your eligibility to apply please contact the vacancy holder via [email protected]

Queries must be raised in good time to allow us to respond before the closing date, as deadlines cannot be extended. For those candidates who meet the essential qualification requirements which you must include in your personal statement, we will sift your personal statement and award a score based on how closely it demonstrates the Key Criteria for the role.

Prior to assessment centre you will need to provide documentary evidence of qualifications when requested. You may be asked to provide evidence of the BPS accredited status of your degrees (Undergraduate/Post Graduate Conversion and Masters). If you do not have this evidence, details of how to obtain this are in the attached document. Please note that it can take the BPS an extended period of time to verify overseas qualifications, so we strongly suggest you contact the BPS as soon as possible, so that you have this available by 4th November 2026.

Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why, what you can do and the skills you have that are transferable to the role responsibilities, and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.

Your layout is entirely your preference: you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. You may choose to address the criteria separately; however one narrative example may cover and evidence several key criteria.

You may not be able to meet all the criteria, but please ensure you address any gaps and how your experience might be relevant. You don`t have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used.

On conclusion of the Sift stage, those candidates who have met the standard as set by the Sift Panel will be invited to an interview. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Lead Criteria Good interpersonal skills to build effective rapport, and an ability to make sense of others experiences, to support the development of self-belief" to initially assess your application and we may also increase the pass mark. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment centre.

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised.

Assessment Centre

The Assessment Centre for this role will take place between 12th to 19th November 2026.

The dates for the Assessment Centre are indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.

Please note that the Assessment Centre will be via a live video call using Microsoft Teams and you will need to use your personal or work device to access the video link.

You will receive an invitation one week in advance of your Assessment Centre (i.e. sent on Tuesday for an Assessment centre scheduled for the following Tuesday) to the email account you provide us with on your application. Further details regarding the arrangements will be included in your invitation to the Assessment Centre.

You are advised to check your inbox and spam/junk folders regularly once your Assessment Centre has been booked.

Interview

We will use a blended interview, lasting approximately 75 minutes. The interview panel will be a minimum of two people.

We will assess you usingBehaviour and Technical questions.These will explore what you can do and have done, and also your potential.

Sift and Interview dates to be confirmed.

Presentation

You will be asked to deliver a presentation lasting 10 minutes, followed by questions for a further 5 minutes. The presentation is verbal only without the use of visual aids. The presentation will be assessed against the Behaviour Communicating and Influencing and the Technical skill Knowledge Base (higher level).

Further details regarding the topic for the presentation will be included in your invitation to the Assessment Centre. The presentation topic should be treated as confidential.

If the presentation topic has not been received prior to your Assessment Centre, or you have queries about applying for this role please contact the vacancy holder via [email protected]

Please note, interview questions will not be provided ahead of your interview.

Role play exercise and written report

This exercise will be described on the assessment day and will last approximately 75 minutes.

Communications will be electronic and/or by telephone therefore it is vitally important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder. Telephone calls may show as a withheld number, it is important that you answer so that your interview can be confirmed.

Further Information

At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub .

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:

• If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health).
• If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

Disability Confident Scheme

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

Reasonable Adjustments

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the Reasonable Adjustments section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Integrity, plagiarism and Civil Service Principles

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.

Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words.

Examples of plagiarism can include:

- Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own

- Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own

Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks

To process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check will be carried out.

Important

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks.

Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWPs Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role.

Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions.

Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.

Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may, however, be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at the Childcare Choices Website.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo an enhanced (or equivalent) criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window) .

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants
Job contact :

• Name : WPS Recruitment
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments WP Qualifications Eligibility Criteria (English) Opens in new window (docx, 45kB) DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 17kB) Success-Profiles-Candidate-Overview Opens in new window (pdf, 635kB)