Senior Assistant Psychologist

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Assistant Psychologist to join the South London Men's Mental Health Requirement (MHTR) service for six months. MHTR services aim to provide an alternative to short custodial sentences, by providing individuals on community sentences access to mental health treatment which addresses the underlying cause of their offending. These are primary care services which deliver direct, short-term psychological interventions to service users.

Please note: as well as DBS checks, successful applicants will also be expected to undertake HMPPS security vetting.

Important Sponsorship Information for this post: We are currently unable to offer a certificate of sponsorship for this post.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will contribute to the delivery of a psychology-led service that provides court-ordered psychological interventions to men in the community as an alternative to short custodial sentences. The role includes assessing service users to determine suitability for the service, independently holding a caseload and providing interventions to service users across South London (under supervision). The postholder will also provide outreach to staff in courts and probation offices in South London, to ensure they are up to date with MHTRs and are aware of the service. The postholder will be expected to liaise with professionals from a number of agencies including mental health services, probation, and the courts. The postholder will be able to access training appropriate to the role and there will also be opportunity to get involved in research and audit activity.

Please note that travel across South London will be required as part of the role. The team base is located in London Bridge at the following address:

• 7 Holyrood Street, SE1 2EL

If you require further information, please contact:

Dr Iona Monastesse: iona.monastesse3@nhs.net

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To screen and assess for eligibility for Mental Health Treatment Requirements.
• To support assessment and treatment interventions undertaken by the service.
• To undertake direct and indirect clinical work that is managed and goals agreed and reviewed through regular supervision by a qualified applied HCPC registered Psychologist.
• To liaise with a range of services (including health, social care and voluntary agencies) relevant to the working area.
• To undertake projects relating to service development and evaluation.
• To set up databases, spreadsheets and using advanced IT skills in evaluation audit and research.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION, PLEASE READ:

All applicants must be willing to undertake National Security Vetting in order to work in a Prison Setting. This will be completed as part of the pre-employment checks through Oxleas and the prison vetting team.

You will need to provide:

Proof of right to work documentation

Proof of ID, needs to include 1 photographic ID

Proof of address documentation

Non-UK passport holders will need to have correct documentation (right to work in the UK) and a Home office Share code.

Address History:

5 years address history will be needed.

Applicants that are not UK Passport holders who provide less than 5 years UK address history will need to provide a Police Certificate which must be in English from where they resided previously.

Applicants who are UK Passport holders who have lived abroad for a period of more than six months during the last three years will need to provide a certificate of good conduct or an overseas police check in English from the countries resided in or visited.

In order to assist you in obtaining a Police Certificate, guidance can be sought from:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

If the country you have resided in is not listed here, you can obtain the necessary information by contacting the relevant Embassy or High Commission for that Country. Their contact details can be found on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website ( http://www.fco.gov.uk/en).

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.