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Job requirements
Essential
15 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Post-qualification experience in adult mental health, including experience at highly specialist level in a forensic or rehabilitation specialism, across different settings/levels of security (e.g. inpatient and community; medium and low security)
- Experience
Advanced level experience of risk assessments and risk management
- Experience
Providing specialist psychological assessment and intervention across a range of care settings including community and inpatient.
- Experience
Providing teaching, training and clinical supervision including teaching professional groups outside of psychology.
- Experience
Co-produced clinical care, including goal setting, using a Recovery approach
- Knowledge and Skills
Additional relevant clinical and/or managerial knowledge and skills acquired through formal training, long or short courses, formal supervision (individual and/or group), structured self-study, or experience – or a combination of these – to an appropriate level approved by the Head of Psychology and demonstrated by certification, documented supervision logs, management appraisal documentation and/or assessment at interview.
- Knowledge and Skills
Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management, including the use of theoretical models to analyse information and develop formulations upon which to base choice of treatment
- Knowledge and Skills
Postgraduate level knowledge of research methodology, including research design, and complex statistical analysis: audit skills
- Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult-to-treat groups (complex needs, personality disorder, dual diagnosis, substance misuse, offending)
- Knowledge and Skills
Ability to effectively manage verbal aggression and the risk of physical aggression from patients or carers
- Education/ Qualification/ Training
Post Graduate Doctoral level training in Clinical, Forensic or Counselling Psychology or equivalent accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Education/ Qualification/ Training
Evidence of CPD in accordance with BPS recommendations
- Education/ Qualification/ Training
Either: Recognized qualification or training in psychotherapy supervision or Clinical supervision training for doctoral clinical /counselling psychology trainees.
- Education/ Qualification/ Training
Registered as a practitioner psychologist by the HCPC.
- Education/ Qualification/ Training
Post Qualification Training in a Psychotherapy Modality: e.g. SFT, DBT, CFT, EMDR, CBTp, CBT for trauma.
Desirable
4 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Experience of representing psychology in various teams and working groups
- Experience
The use of QI or other improvement methodology in clinical settings
- Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of National and Government directives relevant to the development and delivery of forensic mental health services.
- Knowledge and Skills
Ability to use advanced IT packages
Job overview
The East London Community Forensic Service (ELCFS) is seeking a Senior Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychologist to join our multidisciplinary team. The ELCFS offers support for service users as they leave the inpatient Forensic Directorate to reintegrate and re-establish lives in the community. Borough based multidisciplinary teams include Psychiatrists, Social Workers, CPNs, Psychologists, OTs, Family Therapists, Arts Therapists, Drugs and Alcohol Practitioners, Peer Support Workers and Carer Peer Support Workers
The overarching aims of the ELCFS are 1. to provide inreach support to help service users move safely towards discharge and so reduce length of stay in secure care, and 2. to provide enhanced support in the community, to promote sustained recovery and quality of life in the community, reducing recalls to hospital
There are various components to the ELCFS model, including: developing service user skills; support in accommodation; accessing education and employment; addressing substance misuse; access to psychological and recovery focused therapies; working with carers; peer mentorship; and the development of care pathways and system relationships. There is a strong focus on service user involvement and collaboration with community organisations.
We would welcome applications from those with relevant experience at Band 7 as a development opportunity
Main duties of the job
In addition to direct psychological intervention, both individual and group, the role also involves a significant amount of MDT working, including leading on psychological formulation and risk meetings. Band 8a Psychologists across the service are responsible for the supervision and line management of qualified psychologists, other therapists in the team, as well as peer support workers, trainees and students from training courses with established links to the Forensic Directorate.
Psychologists are involved in service development and take up strategic roles in relation to service objective as required. Psychologists will be required to utilise research skills in audit and engage in other research and development activities. There are teaching and training opportunities and established links with University courses across London.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Kindly refer to the job description and person specification that is attached to the vacancy profile.
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.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychologist with East London NHS Foundation Trust in London, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £66,274 - £73,496 per annum incl HCA. The contract type is Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity cover). The application deadline is 15 Nov 2026.
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