Job summary
Whilst we welcome all applications from all suitable candidates, unfortunately, we will not be offering sponsorship for this role.

This post is an Assistant Psychologist role within the Adult Mental Health Forensic Psychology Service (AFPS) covering both Beech Low Secure Unit and the Community Forensic Team. This post will be based mainly within the Community Forensic Team.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will be accountable to the Clinical Lead Psychologist for the team. They will be working with Beech service users and with HPFT service users in the community who reach the threshold for the Community Forensic Team for assessment and intervention.

About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Job responsibilities
Under the supervision of a registered psychologist the successful applicant will assist with the delivery of a clinical psychology service to adults in the community who have forensic histories, and who have been referred to the CFT and to assist with the delivery of psychology to inpatients on Beech Low Secure Ward.

The CFT covers the whole of Hertfordshire and provides services to HPFT service users who have committed offences and who are at high risk of offending again. Many are stepping down from secure services and are conditionally discharged from a section 37/41 and the CFT provides offence related psychological interventions, social supervisor and RC input, alongside CMHT care coordinators. Others are referred from community services or acute wards and the CFT provides risk assessment, formulation and advice on management, as well as some psychological interventions.

Beech Ward is a 15 bed male only low secure ward on the Kingsley Green site in Radlett. Most patients are detained on a hospital order, either section 37 or 37/41.

Under the supervision of a registered psychologist to input directly into forensic assessment and interventions, as well as offering advice and consultation on psychological care to non-psychology colleagues and other non-professional carers. To take a central role in carrying out HCR-20, and other relevant risk assessments. To contribute to the teaching and training carried out by the psychology team and to contribute to relevant audit and research projects.

Qualifications/Education/Training
Essential

• Psychology.Honours Degree (minimum 2:1) in Psychology, accredited by the British Psychological Society.
• Training in risk assessment measures, e.g. HCR20v3.

Previous Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with individuals with complex needs including developmental disorders, mental illness and forensic issues.
• Experience of communicating with clients who have severe limitations in comprehension and expression
• Experience of working across a range of care settings including out-patient, in-patient, community and residential care settings.

Skills/Knowledge/Ability
Essential

• Good knowledge of relevant psychological theories, psychometric assessment and associated literature

Communication Skills
Essential

• High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.

Analytical Skills
Essential

• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a forensic context

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.