Job Summary
We are searching for a committed and enthusiastic Higher Assistant Psychologist to join the Mental Health team at HMP Deerbolt.
The mental health team is committed to delivering high quality care to prisoners. The model of service delivery aims to provide timely, evidence-based and accessible mental health assessment and treatment to meet the needs of prisoners. The team includes a Mental Health Team Manager, Registered Mental Health Nurses, Registered Learning Disability Nurses, Psychological Wellbeing Therapists, a Counsellor, Speech and Language Therapist, a Highly Specialist Psychologist, a Higher Assistant Psychologist (HAP)as well as regular sessional input from a Psychiatrist.
Main duties of the job
The post within the mental health team provides a fantastic opportunity to develop clinically. Training is provided as well as weekly clinical supervision which may help with career progression. It will involve working alongside a full-time psychologist and contributing to psychological assessment, formulation and intervention.
The post holder will join a multi-disciplinary team working alongside members of prison operational staff. Experience of delivering therapies, either individually or within a group setting is preferable. The successful post holder will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and preferably have some experience and or understanding of risk management in prison/forensic/hospital settings.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in psychology
- Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, youth work, work with offenders and/or research design and analysis
Experience
Essential
- Experience working as an assistant psychologist (or equivalent)
- Previous involvement in clinical audit, research or service evaluation
- Experience using statistical software packages e.g. SPSS
- Experience of using psychometric assessments
- Experience working with people using services in psychological, mental health and/or social care settings. This may include, for example, personal experience or supporting a family member to access services
- Experience of communicating sensitive information
- Experience of work interacting with the public
- Experience in discussing and responding to issues related to cultural diversity, intersectionality and inclusivity, including working with vulnerable groups (e.g. those for whom English is not their first language)
Desirable
- Experience working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of increasing access to psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities
Skills
Essential
- Ability to relate therapeutically to the needs of clients and in a way that addresses psychological resistance
- Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service
- Utilise psychometric tests competently
- Statistical analysis
- Record keeping
- Plan and organise effectively to meet required timescales
- Use approved breakaway techniques
Desirable
- Ability to provide group interventions
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities
- An understanding of the application of psychology to health care
- Understanding of confidentiality
- Knowledge of the British Psychological Society Code of Conduct
- An ability to apply psychological knowledge to the population described in the job advert
- Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
- Awareness of systemic barriers to accessing psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities
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: 12 May 2026
