Job summary
We are searching for a committed and enthusiastic psychology graduate, with some experience of working in secure mental health/prison settings, to join the Mental Health teams at HMP Frankland

This fixed term (12 months) post would suit an enthusiastic individual, valuing the opportunity to work collaboratively with members of a well-established multi-disciplinary team. A key part of this role will be using clinical skills to embed psychological understanding and psychosocial interventions in everyday practice.

The Higher Assistant Psychologist would have the opportunity to gain experience working with a diverse male population that includes mental health, learning disability, autism and older adults, including those who may have experienced trauma and/ or neurological difficulties.

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 this criteria.

Main duties of the job
Your Day-to-Day We are seeking an academically strong candidate to support and enhance the psychological care of patients at the service by assisting the Qualified Psychologists with;

• Contributing to assessments, scoring and reporting (verbal / written)
• Clinical formulation and implementing care plans for psychological treatment
• Planning, delivering and evaluating individual / group programmes
• Administration, audit, research and service development

Were looking for someone who is

• Degree qualified in Psychology (2:1 or above) or equivalent
• BPS (British Psychological Society) Accredited
• Preferably experienced in health care and/or in an Assistant Psychologist role
• Passionate about learning and working as part of an Multidisciplinary team.
• Qualified to Masters degree level or higher in Psychology (preferable)

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: 22 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 346-FMH-106-26
Job locations: HMP Frankland, Finchale Avenue, Durham, DH1 5YD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
The Health & Justice Service is committed to supporting clinicians personal development in a range of areas including assessment, governed therapies, supervision, research, and teaching / training. Continuing professional development is central to our ethos of providing evidence-based practice and improving staff wellbeing by investing in career progression.

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 refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information about this post.

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

• Degree in Psychology
• Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
• Resident of the UK for at least 3 years

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

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

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 multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of increasing access to psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities.

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.

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).

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).