Search for more jobs in London
Job overview
Are you interested in working with personality disorder and assisting teams to support individuals with complex needs? We are seeking a DBT therapist, psychologist or psychological therapist to join our expanding ‘Options’ Offender Personality Disorder Team (OPD) at HMP Downview (a women’s prison in Sutton, Surrey). Options is a treatment and support service running primarily modified forensic DBT Programmes, offering treatment for service users who have been identified on the Personality Disorder Pathway. Additionally, we offer trauma therapy (EMDR, CFT, Prolonged Exposure), outreach stability and treatment preparation. We provide staff training, consultation and formulation services to our probation and prison colleagues who work alongside us to support and progress women safely through their sentence plan, in preparation for their move into the community. Service users report many improvements in the way they manage emotions and relationships, there are observed reductions in self- harm and increased stability.
This post can be offered as B7 preceptorship, paid at band 6 until HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist achieved. This role can be offered as secondment opportunity.
Main duties of the job
As part of a current expansion plan 2026 there will be further developments in treatment offered including MBT and Art therapy. Our team is made up of Operational staff, Assistant psychologists, an Arts psychotherapist, Cclinical and Forensic psychologists
You will ideally have experience and expertise in working within teams, within multi-agency settings. Individual and/or Group treatment expertise within the field of Personality Disorder or complex need is essential, expertise in DBT is desirable (DBT training within role can be provided). You will be joining an enthusiastic and committed team. The service is part of the national co-commissioned Offender Personality Disorder pathway and supports access to local and national training and networking. We are closely linked to our local mental health team and other teams across the prison. We have Governor and operational support for the service and a dedicated delivery space.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see Job Description for full details
Main duties of the job
- To deliver Modified Forensic Dialectic Behavioural Therapy to women screened into the OPD pathway, this will include individual and group-based treatment. To attend and take part in weekly DBT consultation meetings and adhere to DBT principles. To develop individual formulations and applying theoretical models of the psychology of mental health and personality disorder and offending, to observed behaviour, cognitive, emotional and interpersonal patterns, for service users who present with complex clinical needs. To undertake delivery of individual and group therapy including outreach support and stabilisation with prisoners at HMP Downview as directed. To develop individual formulations and applying theoretical models of the psychology of mental health and personality disorder and offending, to observed behaviour, cognitive, emotional and interpersonal patterns, for service users who present with complex clinical needs. To provide clinical supervision to the team’s Assistant Psychologists and trainees and other members of the team when appropriate. To work autonomously within professional guidelines and the overall framework of the service’s policies and procedures. Our service is expanding to be able to provide MBT informed group therapy. To be able to contribute to the facilitation of these groups.
- To deliver Modified Forensic Dialectic Behavioural Therapy to women screened into the OPD pathway, this will include individual and group-based treatment. To attend and take part in weekly DBT consultation meetings and adhere to DBT principles.
- To develop individual formulations and applying theoretical models of the psychology of mental health and personality disorder and offending, to observed behaviour, cognitive, emotional and interpersonal patterns, for service users who present with complex clinical needs.
- To undertake delivery of individual and group therapy including outreach support and stabilisation with prisoners at HMP Downview as directed.
- To develop individual formulations and applying theoretical models of the psychology of mental health and personality disorder and offending, to observed behaviour, cognitive, emotional and interpersonal patterns, for service users who present with complex clinical needs.
- To provide clinical supervision to the team’s Assistant Psychologists and trainees and other members of the team when appropriate.
- To work autonomously within professional guidelines and the overall framework of the service’s policies and procedures.
- Our service is expanding to be able to provide MBT informed group therapy. To be able to contribute to the facilitation of these groups.
Person specification
OTHER
Essential
- Ability to work in a secure environment, in line with HMPS policy and procedure – to obtain and maintain enhanced security clearance
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, secondary care community, primary care and in patient settings
- Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse
- Experience of working with clients from a range of cultural and ethnic groups and within a multicultural framework.
- Experience of working effectively in multidisciplinary settings and representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care
- Experience working with those with a diagnosis of personality disorder and/or a history of self-harm and/or trauma.
- Advanced knowledge, experience and expertise in at least one specialist area of clinical practice gained through specialist training and supervised practice (e.g. psychotherapy, neuropsychology, risk assessment, clinical supervision).
Desirable
- Experience of working within the personality disorder pathways
- Experience of working within a prison environment and/or a forensic environment
- Experience of trauma informed care
- Experience of teaching and training
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Relevant clinical qualification within health or social care professions with accreditation and registration with the relevant clinical body (e.g. HCPC) and eligibility for membership of the SfDBT OR Doctoral level training in clinical, forensic or counselling psychology or its equivalent, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS.
- HCPC Registered as a Practitioner Psychologist
- Postgraduate qualification in DBT
Desirable
- Pre- or post-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.
- Training or qualification in risk assessment
- Completion of accredited DBT Training
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
Essential
- Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
- Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
- Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
- Possesses range of clinical knowledge, skills & information technology expertise relevant to post.
- Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the Women’s Offender Personality Disorder Pathway and how to identify and support women on the pathway.
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.
- Broad knowledge of models of assessment, management and treatment of mentally disordered and PD offenders.
- Ability to work intensively with people who present challenges in the complexity of their problems and needs, including sexual and violent offending and self-harming and suicidal behaviours.
- Continually develop specialist knowledge and skills by engaging in relevant study and Continuing Professional Development relevant to the forensic population.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult-to-treat groups (e.g. people with additional disabilities).
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Band 7 Psychology roles in London
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychologist/DBT Therapist with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust in London, London, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £55,524 - £62,652 per annum inc HCAS (pro rata if P/T). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 07 Jul 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (23 Jun 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.