Job summary
We are looking for a compassionate psychologist to join us in the mental health teams in HMP Frankland in Durham.

The post would suit an enthusiastic Psychologist, valuing the opportunity to work collaboratively with members of well-established multi-disciplinary teams. A key part of this role will be using clinical leadership skills to influence teams to embed formulations, psychological understanding and psychosocial interventions in everyday practice.

As a service, we are keen to support and invest in the ongoing development of our Psychologists through CPD opportunities, so an interest in developing clinical skills across a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches is essential. The Psychologist would have the opportunity to gain experience working with a diverse population that includes mental health, learning disability, autism and older adults, including those who may have experienced trauma and/ or neurological difficulties.

Main duties of the job
This post is advertised as 8a post, however we are willing to consider applications from Psychologists who do not yet meet the essential criteria for a Band 8a, but who would be interested in undertaking the post at a Band 7 initially, with a supportive plan for development and progression in due course.

We welcome applications from those who are currently coming to the end of their training in psychology that on successful completion will achieve the required qualification and registration with HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist.

Trainee counselling psychologists are eligible to apply for and to be shortlisted for interview and to be offered qualified posts when they are in their 3rd year of the doctoral training and have the following confirmed as completed by the university. This information may be requested prior to interview: a. All clinical competencies. b. 80% of the 450 supervised clinical practice hours (360 hours)

Trainee clinical psychologists are eligible to apply for and to be shortlisted for interview and to be offered qualified posts when they are in their third year of training, as they will have completed their core clinical competencies by this stage of the course.

About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Details
Date posted: 29 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £64,750 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 346-FMH-108-26
Job locations: HMP Frankland, Finchale Avenue, Durham, DH1 5YD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
You will be expected to have the necessary skills, training and experience to undertake direct clinical work, offer clinical supervision to others, including a higher assistant psychologist, and consultation to the wider MDT. Candidates should have excellent interdisciplinary working skills and interested in contributing to the development of an innovative service.

We will support training in a governed psychological therapy.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specifications for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academys Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.

Please note the work base will be based on which prison you work in, either Barnard Castle or Durham. Please state in your application if you have a preference.

This role is subject to Prison Vetting, and the successful candidate must pass this before commencing employment. This includes a thorough review of personal information, including a criminal record check (both spent and unspent), a review of financial standing, and social media checks. Please note that vetting checks may also extend to family members and associates. You must also have resided in the UK for 3 years at the point of application. This will be considered as part of the shortlisting criteria, and your application may be rejected if you do not meet these criteria.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position.

Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Post-graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS.
• HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
• Trained in clinical supervision (within agreed timescale)
• Trained in care co-ordination (within agreed timescale)
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Post-graduate qualification showing evidence of supervised practice in an evidence-based psychological therapeutic model
• Registration with BPS

Experience
Essential

• Must have experience/interest in: Working with mental health/learning disability clients (depending on designated service area)
• Multi-disciplinary team working

Desirable

• Experience of CBT, DBT, Psychodynamics, systematic therapy
• Experience of research and audit

Knowledge/Skills
Essential

• Doctoral level knowledge of: Evidence- based practice relevant to the role
• Risk assessment and risk management
• Clinical governance
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health
• Audit and research methodology
• Social Inclusion agenda
• Awareness of: The Trust's Quality Improvement System
• Must be able to: Communicate complex and highly sensitive information effectively, to a wide range of people
• Adapt creatively the evidence base for interventions in mental health for clients with communication difficulties / learning disabilities
• Provide (within agreed timescale) effective teaching, training and clinical supervision
• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake care co-ordination/lead practitioner responsibilities
• Undertake complex multiagency working and liaise with multiple systems
• Utilise psychometric tests competently
• Identify, provide and promote appropriate interventions / means of support for carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours
• Utilise appropriate clinical governance mechanisms within own work
• Use approved breakaway techniques
• Demonstrate effective keyboard skills

Desirable

• Skills in using multimedia materials in presentations

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Address: HMP Frankland, Finchale Avenue, Durham, DH1 5YD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Psychological Professions Lead, Sarah McCrory, sarah.mccrory@nhs.net

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).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).