Forensic psychologist

You'll apply psychological knowledge to criminal investigations and the wider criminal justice system. Your work may include assessing people who have offended or are suspected of offending, evaluating risk and delivering psychological interventions.

You'll work with people and organisations across the criminal justice, health and social care systems, including:

• prisoners
• people on probation
• people receiving treatment in secure mental health services
• professionals in the police, courts, prisons, probation and social care.

You'll use research and psychological evidence to improve practice and understanding of offending behaviour and the factors that support change. You may also prepare reports or give evidence for courts, parole boards and mental health tribunals.

Your work may help people move away from offending, manage risk, make prisons and secure mental health services safer, and protect the public.

What do forensic psychologists do?

As a forensic psychologist, you'll typically:

• carry out specialist psychological and risk assessments using interviews, observations, case records and appropriate psychological tests
• develop a psychological understanding of a person's offending behaviour, mental health needs and vulnerabilities, including factors that may increase or reduce risk
• plan and deliver evidence-based psychological interventions with individuals and groups to reduce harmful behaviour and support rehabilitation and recovery
• assess and manage risks such as reoffending, violence, self-harm and suicide, and contribute to release and resettlement plans
• monitor and evaluate people's progress, review interventions and make recommendations about their treatment, care or rehabilitation
• prepare psychological reports and, depending on your role, advise or provide evidence to courts, parole boards and mental health tribunals
• work with professionals from different disciplines and advise prison, probation, healthcare and other staff on behaviour, risk, care and rehabilitation
• provide psychological advice, support and training to help staff manage stress and work safely and consistently
• carry out research, audits and service evaluations to improve interventions and practice
• contribute to service and policy development and, with experience, supervise trainee psychologists and other staff.

Forensic psychologist salaries

• Salaries for trainee forensic psychologists working for HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) start at £37,417 (Band 5). Once qualified and registered, salaries start at £54,148 (Band 7).
• Salaries for senior registered psychologists typically start at £57,398 (Band 8), while principal registered psychologists are usually employed at Band 9, starting at £73,513. Regional or theme lead psychologist roles (Band 10) and directorate lead psychologist roles (Band 11) start at £81,338 and £91,540, respectively. Salaries are higher in London.
• NHS trainee forensic psychologists are usually paid at Band 6 of the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scale, ranging from £39,959 to £48,117. Qualified psychologists typically earn between £49,387 and £56,515 (Band 7), with higher salaries available in senior roles.

Employed roles usually include a pension and a range of other benefits.

Salaries in other settings may vary.

Income data from HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and NHS Health Careers.

Figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does a forensic psychologist work?

In HMPPS, you'll normally work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. NHS full-time roles are typically 37.5 hours a week.

Part-time, job-share and flexible working arrangements may be available.

How do you become a forensic psychologist?

To use the protected title forensic psychologist, you must complete postgraduate professional training and register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

The usual training route involves the following stages:

1. Gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC)

You can become eligible for GBC of the British Psychological Society (BPS) by completing a:

• BPS-accredited psychology degree or
• BPS-accredited postgraduate psychology conversion course if your first degree is in another subject or is not accredited.

Check with the BPS if you need confirmation that your qualification gives you GBC.

2. Complete a forensic psychology Masters degree

You'll normally need a BPS-accredited Masters in Forensic Psychology that meets the academic Stage 1 requirements for forensic psychology training. Courses may be available full time, part time or through distance learning.

3. Complete supervised professional training

You must then complete an HCPC-approved programme, such as:

• the BPS Qualification in Forensic Psychology (Stage 2)
• a professional doctorate
• a postgraduate diploma in forensic psychology practice.

The length and structure of supervised professional training vary by route. The BPS Stage 2 qualification, for example, usually takes between two and four years, and you must be working in a suitable forensic role where you can undertake supervised practice and demonstrate the required professional skills.

Some professional doctorates combine Masters-level study with supervised professional practice in one programme. Others are designed for graduates who have already completed an accredited forensic psychology Masters.

Postgraduate diplomas also involve supervised practice, and you may need to arrange a suitable placement or role.

Check the BPS list of accredited courses and the HCPC list of approved programmes before applying, as course structures, availability and entry requirements vary. Once you have completed an approved route, you can apply for HCPC registration.

You may enter forensic settings without a psychology degree through roles such as group worker or interventions facilitator. However, you will still need GBC and postgraduate professional training to become a forensic psychologist.

Key skills for forensic psychologists

You'll need:

• excellent communication and active listening skills to build trust and discuss complex or sensitive issues clearly
• empathy and a non-judgemental approach when working with people from varied backgrounds and with complex needs
• analytical and decision-making skills to assess behaviour, interpret evidence and make sound judgements about risk
• resilience, self-awareness and an understanding of professional boundaries to manage emotionally demanding situations safely and effectively
• teamworking and influencing skills to collaborate with other professionals and explain psychological perspectives
• research and evaluation skills to analyse information, assess the effectiveness of interventions and improve services
• organisation and attention to detail to manage complex cases and produce accurate assessments, records and reports.

Do I need forensic psychology work experience?

Relevant work experience can strengthen your application for forensic psychology Masters courses and entry-level roles. Requirements vary, so check course and job details carefully.

Useful paid or voluntary experience includes:

• assistant psychologist or psychology support work
• experience in secure mental health, substance misuse, social care or homelessness services
• group worker or interventions facilitator roles in HMPPS, which can provide experience before applying for trainee psychologist posts
• mental health, care or rehabilitation support work
• mentoring young people involved with the justice system
• volunteering with Victim Support, including its Witness Service
• work or volunteering in prisons, probation services, approved premises or youth justice services.

The role doesn't need to include forensic psychology in its title. Experience of supporting people with complex needs or who may be vulnerable or present a risk of harm can also develop relevant skills in communication, teamwork, professional boundaries and managing challenging situations.

For supervised professional training, you'll usually need to work in, or have access to, a suitable forensic setting. The BPS Stage 2 qualification and some postgraduate diplomas require you to arrange supervised practice. Some professional doctorates provide placements, while others require or prefer relevant experience before you apply.

When applying, explain what you learned and how your experience prepared you to work with complex needs, manage risk and contribute to a wider professional team.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs forensic psychologists?

HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is a major employer in England and Wales. You may work in prisons, young offender institutions, probation services or community settings. In Scotland, forensic psychologists are employed by the Scottish Prison Service. In Northern Ireland, opportunities may be available through the Northern Ireland Prison Service, and health and justice services.

Other employers include:

• the NHS, particularly secure mental health, forensic community and rehabilitation services
• independent providers of secure hospitals and mental health services
• youth custody and youth justice services
• police forces and other criminal justice organisations
• local authorities and social care services
• charities working in rehabilitation, mental health, substance misuse or justice
• universities, mainly in teaching and research.

Experienced forensic psychologists may work independently or for private consultancies, carrying out assessments, preparing expert reports, providing training or advising organisations.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Civil Service Jobs
• HMPPS Prison and Probation Jobs
• Jobs in Psychology
• NHS Jobs and NHSScotland Jobs
• Northern Ireland Prison Service and Scottish Prison Service (SPS)

Academic jobs are often advertised on jobs.ac.uk.

Where can a career as a forensic psychologist lead?

Within HMPPS, you can progress from qualified registered psychologist to senior and principal psychologist roles, taking on more responsibility for supervision, team development and service improvement. Further progression can lead to regional, theme lead or directorate leadership roles involving consultancy, policy and strategic leadership.

You can also specialise in areas such as:

• risk assessment
• sexual or violent offending
• working in specialist offender personality disorder services
• substance misuse
• work with young people.

Other options include moving between prisons, probation, the NHS, independent healthcare, universities and other justice or mental health services, or progressing into teaching, research, service leadership or private consultancy.

You'll need to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) throughout your career to maintain your HCPC registration, keep your skills up to date and support your career progression. Activities can include:

• attending conferences
• completing courses
• getting involved with professional bodies such as the BPS
• mentoring and providing supervision
• undertaking research
• workplace learning.

Depending on your training route, once qualified you may be eligible to apply for Chartered membership of the BPS and full membership of its Division of Forensic Psychology. Membership provides access to professional networks, events, resources and networking opportunities.