Principal Clinical/ Counselling/ Forensic Psychologist

Job overview

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) is a well-established provider of healthcare services across prisons in Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

This role is based at HMP Bedford, a local Category B remand prison for men aged 18 and over.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated psychologist who is confident working independently while also contributing as part of a large, integrated multidisciplinary healthcare team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about making a meaningful impact within a challenging and rewarding environment.

Prison healthcare plays a vital role in ensuring people in custody have access to healthcare that is equivalent to that available in the community. The role offers a unique opportunity to improve outcomes for a vulnerable population who may previously have experienced significant barriers to accessing effective healthcare and psychological support.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will work closely with the Mental Health Lead, Head of Healthcare, and Consultant Psychologist for Secured Services to deliver high-quality psychological care and support for residents at HMP Bedford.

Alongside senior colleagues, the postholder will contribute to service development initiatives, with a particular focus on continuing to embed and enhance psychologically informed practice across the healthcare department.

The role includes maintaining a small clinical caseload, providing supervision and consultation to colleagues, and supporting the psychological formulation of complex presentations. We are therefore keen to recruit a psychologist with substantial experience and specialist knowledge in working with severe and enduring mental health difficulties, including complex trauma, personality difficulties, and neurodivergence. The successful candidate will be committed to developing psychologically informed approaches that enhance care across the wider healthcare system.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the ‘About You’ Section of the document.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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.