Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s Centre for Mental Health and Justice as a Band 5 Assistant Psychologist. The role involves delivering and supporting services within the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway at a Psychologically Informed Planned Environment (PIPE) Approved Premises in Plymouth.
The Centre for Mental Health and Justice provides three key areas of clinical activity: the Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Service, the Community Forensic Team, and the OPD Pathway, within which this role sits. The OPD Pathway is jointly commissioned and funded by the NHS and His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), reflecting a collaborative approach to supporting individuals within the criminal justice system who present with personality difficulties.
PIPEs place a strong emphasis on the environment in which they operate, recognising the importance of the quality of relationships and day-to-day interactions. They aim to make the most of everyday situations as opportunities for psychological development, using approaches that are informed by an understanding of personality disorder and related needs.
Main duties of the job
In this role, you will play a key part in creating, supporting, and maintaining a positive psychosocial environment. You will work closely with probation colleagues to develop and deliver a service that reflects the core principles of the PIPE model.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Facilitating groups and delivering psychoeducational interventions
- Completing psychometric assessments
- Contributing to psychological formulations
- Supporting data collection and service evaluation
- Contributing to workforce development activities
This is a part-time post (2.5 days per week) based at the PIPE Approved Premises in Plymouth. You will work alongside the Clinical Lead and probation colleagues and will be expected to work with a high degree of autonomy while contributing to the ongoing development of the service.
You will be confident in promoting psychologically informed approaches in everyday practice and able to embed these into routine interactions. The role includes regular clinical supervision, reflective practice sessions, and team training. You will be expected to actively engage in these, using and modelling reflective skills, and contributing to clinical discussions and team learning.
There will also be strong opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD), including access to training to build your skills, as well as regular training events with colleagues from the wider OPD community, supporting both professional growth and networking across services.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see ‘supporting documents’.
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Person specification
Skills and Aptitude
Essential
- Skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues.
- Good knowledge of the application of psychological theory especially personality theories
Desirable
- Relevant teaching or supervision covering concepts deriving from Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Dialectical behaviour Therapy or Mentalisation based Therapy.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Good knowledge of the application of psychological theory to practice
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Psychology Degree accredited by the British Psychological Society. Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
- Up-to-date knowledge of psychology. An awareness and understanding of contemporary issues in the field of mental health and crime.
- Experience working with people with personality, or other serious and enduring, disorders in community or residential settings.
- Previous experience working as an Assistant Psychologist.
Desirable
- Experience of working with Criminal Justice Agencies especially Probation.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Assistant Psychologist - OPD with Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Bodmin Police Hub/Lawson House. It is listed as a Band 5 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £32,073 - £39,043 Pro Rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 25 Aug 2026.
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