Senior Assistant Psychologist

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity for several Senior Assistant Psychologists to join one of three Men's Mental Health Requirement (MHTR) services across London. These services aim to provide an alternative to short custodial sentences, by providing men 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.

Through this advert, we are recruiting to 12.0 full time (37.5 hours per week) posts across three teams:

• 5.0 WTE posts in the South London Men’s MHTR Service (Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust)
• 4.0 WTE posts in the Northwest London Men’s MHTR Service (Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust)
• 3.0 WTE posts in the Northeast London Men’s MHTR Service (East London NHS Foundation Trust & North East London NHS Foundation Trust)

Please note that flexible working is required - which may include some regular commitment to late clinics (no later than 8pm)

If you have a preference for location (South London, Northwest London or Northeast London), please indicate this at the end of your supporting statement.

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 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 the team’s London region (under supervision). The postholder will also provide outreach to staff in courts and probation offices in their team’s London region, 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 each team’s London region will be required as part of the role. Team bases are located as follows:

• South London: 7 Holyrood Street, SE1 2EL
• Northwest London: The Gordon Hospital, Bloomburg St, London SW1V 2RH
• Northeast London: Bethnal Green Health Centre, 60 Florida St, E2 6LL

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 plan, organise and co-teach psycho-educational courses and groups with appropriately qualified professional staff.
• 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.