Job Summary
This position is for a Senior Assistant Psychologist within the Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT). The aim of this team is to help working age adult to safely transition and live in the community, and minimise the risk of them reoffending and/or returning to psychiatric hospital or prison. The team comprises of OTs, Mental Health Nurses, Psychologists as well as a Support Worker and Social Worker. In brief, the role of the Senior AP is to facilitate assessments (psychometrics and risk related), complete formulations and offer both individual and group interventions.
Main duties of the job
Promote the psychological health and well-being of service users within the SCFT.
Under the supervision of a qualified Psychologist, to provide psychological assessments and intervention to individuals, or groups of service users
Under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist to complete audit, service evaluation or research as indicated.
Assist in clinically related administration, teaching, and project work
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Min 2(ii) honours degree in Psychology
- Evidence of training / CPD to develop knowledge and theory relevant to work in the specialism of forensic psychology
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
Length and/or Nature of Experience
Essential
- Prior experience with the service user group and experience in a clinical setting
- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing clinically sensitive information to service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS.
Desirable
- Experience of working within inpatient areas or where there are restrictions on freedom in place
- Additional knowledge/ experience of research methodology
- Some experience of using /manipulating Psychological test equipment for use in formal testing situations
- Prior experience in completing risk assessments, such as the HCR-20, SARA etc.,
Professional/Managerial/Specialist Knowledge
Essential
- Strong listening skills, empathic towards people in distress.
- Practical working knowledge of at least one relevant psychological approach (e.g. CBT)
Desirable
Personal Skills, Abilities and Attributes
Essential
- Willingness to work in the face of emotive and distressing problems, and possible verbal abuse / threat of physical abuse
- Emotional robustness to frequently work with the intense distress of others.
- Calm but assertive to help effective communication when there are barriers to understanding and in circumstances where hostility, manipulation, conflict and antagonism could be present.
- Ability to recognise limits of competence and seek support when needed.
- Ability to prioritise work and organise own diary.
- Enjoy working with a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory training including (subject to Occupational Health clearance)
Other Requirements
Essential
- Computer literate, keyboard skills and ability to use Microsoft Office software. Awareness of statistical analysis packages
- Ability to get to required locations in timely and efficient manner as required to fulfil the requirements of the role
- Ability to keep and maintain appropriate records in electronic or hard copy in line with Trust policies and Professional guidelines.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 31 August 2025
