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Forensic Psychology

If you intend to apply to Forensic Psychology postgraduate courses or Psychological Assistant posts your application will be enhanced if you are able to demonstrate some relevant experience. However, it is acknowledged that gaining work experience in forensic settings is very difficult, though not impossible, for reasons such as security and confidentiality. You will need to consider alternative ways of demonstrating interest and experience.

Working with offenders can be difficult, emotionally and mentally, so any experience that shows you have experience of working with ‘difficult’ people in challenging situations and are able to cope with an element of personal risk will be helpful. This could involve experiences as diverse as listening services (Samaritans, Nightline), working in a bar, security or customer services/complaints handling.

However, you will need to demonstrate an understanding of the needs of offenders and approaches to working with them, plus knowledge of the role of the Psychologist in the criminal justice system, so some relevant work experience would be helpful.

The information below will give you an overview of what kind of work experience is relevant. See also suggestions on the Careers and Placements website:

• Psychology
• Social care

The following organisations regularly recruit volunteers (see information sheets above for details): Probation Service, Youth Offending Teams, Network 2, Victim Support and the Police (Special Constables). The Prison Reform Trust has a guide to volunteering in the criminal justice system.

Other

• Final Year Project: Could you select a topic in forensic psychology for your final year project? This might provide an opportunity to link your research with a local forensic setting. If this is not possible, try to select an area of psychology that might be relevant to forensic psychology. If you haven’t studied any forensic psychology on your course do some self-directed reading in the subject and try to attend conferences – great for networking!

• The Prison Service website has information about recruitment to forensic psychologist and Psychological Assistant roles and also lists vacancies. 
• You could try contacting the relevant Area Psychologist to enquire about volunteering opportunities – the website has a prison locator
• Health Care Assistant: you may be able to find a position as a Health Care Assistant within a forensic setting (trainee posts are occasionally advertised). Posts may be advertised on the NHS Jobs website or the Prison Service website.