Calling all forensic psychologists!

[Sadasad]

What is the best way to get into this career? I’m studying forensic psychology at Open University where I will get my Bachelors degree. From there, what do I do? Do I then go onto my masters with a placement, then do my stage 2, and after that go straight into a role as a forensic psychologist? Do I have to do a whole doctorate for my stage 2, or is there a quicker way? How do I make a living while I’m studying at a real uni and doing placements? Thank you

In reality. How many phorensic psychologists do you think spend time on mumsnet?

Why wouldn't they?

You need to do a masters in forensic psychology as a minimum. Then try to apply for a trainee role within the prison service or apply for the docterate/masters combined to become qualified whilst seeking a placement. It's very long winded and hard work. But if you want to give it a go, I'd start at getting your masters.

I think try to find a couple of forensic psychologists and ask them, if you can. Even write to one or two. Always ask those in the career prior to those teaching it, I think.

Sounds like you may know some of this already, but the BPS careers page has some helpful pointers: https://www.bps.org.uk/forensic-psychologist-job-profile
The forensic career pathway is less well established than clin or ed psych, so it's worth keeping an eye on BPS advice in case of new developments.

Find your local mental health trust. Many have dedicated education centres/research arms, and they will be very helpful.

Personally, I'd not bother! It's expensive to do the forensic psych doctorate and very long winded to do the other route.

In my opinion, it's better to train as a clinical psychologist as the doctorate is 3 years and fully funded (paid at NHS AfC band 6 level, plus annual leave, pension, sick pay, mat leave etc..). After you qualify as a clinical psychologist you can work everywhere a forensic psychologist does - in prison, with the police, in probation, for the courts etc... You also have lots more flexibly to work in other fields (LD, with kids, in adult mental health etc..) if you feel like a short break from forensic clients in the future.

I'm speaking from direct experience ...

Currently after many years working with forensic clients I'm taking a short break to work with a different population and will return to my forensic clients in a year or two!

I’d imagine trying to get into secret agency type of employment

Clinical psychology is notoriously hard and extremely competitive to get on. On average an applicant will take 3 attempts to get accepted.
There are many possibilities with psychology the NHS is likely your best port of call.
Good luck

True! But don't let that put you off OP! I got on and I'm hardly anything special!

My advice would be to get a job as an Assistant Psychologist with the NHS, either in a prison mental health team or forensic inpatient/hospital unit. Then you will get to learn from the psychologists (both forensic and clinical) and other Assistant Psychs on the job about the best routes into becoming a Psychologist, for you..

My son graduated last summer with a BSc in Psychology and is working as an assistant psychologist in a forensic team. He has quite a bit of experience in working with mental health and learning disabilities, pre -university, during holidays and during his placement year. He is the only one of his peer group who has got an AP job and it took him a good few months to get it (he worked as a TA in a special school while he was applying). He wants to be a clinical psychologist and is aiming for the doctorate in a couple of years. From his experience I would say that the vital thing is to get as much relevant work experience as you possibly can, as this seems to be what has got him interviews and ultimately the AP position. It’s very, very competitive, funding is stretched and the job itself seems quite tough - lots of data and statistics.

FlipFlopsSpots makes a good point about being able to work within many forensic settings as a clinical psych but just be aware that there isn't complete overlap. Clinical psychs don't have any training in investigative psych and therefore wouldn't usually work with police/ in profiling, despite TV dramas suggesting otherwise and some famous examples of this in the past. If your interest though is in working with offenders then clinical training could be a good option, though a competitive one. Most successful applicants would have 2-3 years' experience of working in a relevant setting between their undergrad degree and gaining a place on a clinical doctorate course. The BPS and NHS careers websites give you a fair bit of guidance on this.

Well done to your son! Getting that first AP job is quite tough (though subsequent AP roles will be easier to attain as he now already has one on the CV!) Good luck to him for his future psych career :)

Thank you @FlipFlopsSpots. He’s very dedicated and works extremely hard. He’s just coming to the end of his 6 month contract so the whole application process is starting again!

An alternative route is to start work in a Programmes department in a prison first. This will give you direct experience working in a forensic setting with prisoners which will give you a good grounding in working with that population and access to current trainees and qualified forensic psychologists. It might then open the door to masters and then funded trainee positions. We’re short staffed at my place and this is a route lots of my colleagues have taken. It’s not guaranteed but it would clarify if it’s the right career path for you. Also once you’re in the prison service I think it’s easier to move to different establishments. Good luck.

Or you could consider a career in magic! Here one minute, then disappeared never to return!

I don’t think it’s quite as niche as you might think. They’re just psychologists specialising in forensics. Not that much of a reach to think they go in mums net.