This is an excellent opportunity for a registered practitioner psychologist (Clinical/Forensic/Counselling) who wishes to developtheir forensic skills and expertise. The post will provide psychology input into both the secure male learning disability services within Hertfordshire (three days per week) and the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway (OPD) within Hertfordshire Probation Services (two days per week). Psychology is an integral part of both services and is highly valued by the wider MDT.

The post holder will be based within the Secure and Forensic services of Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) and will be supported by the wider psychology service within HPFT which includes community forensic services and other inpatient forensic services.

Main duties of the job

Within the secure inpatient service, a large part of the work will be directed towards specialist risk assessment and offence specific interventions (either individual or group interventions). The service uses the framework of Positive Behavior support so prior experience of this approach would be advantageous.

We are looking for a psychologist with prior experience of providing assessment and treatment to men with offending histories and complex presentations including intellectual disability, mental health issues, substance misuse and trauma histories. Previous experience of using structured clinical judgement risk assessment tools such as the HCR-20 & RSVP would be advantageous.

The service has also adopted a trauma informed approach and we are looking at embedding this further into our ways of working.

Within the OPD pathway you would join a highly respected, psychology led service where the emphasis is on providing consultation to Probation staff and from this developing high quality formulations to enhance their understanding and ways of working with people with high-risk behaviours. Teaching and training is also an integral part of this post.

The post can also be offered as a band 7-8a development post. This will enable the post holder to progress from Band 7 to Band 8a once they have demonstrated that they meet the competencies specified for a Band 8a Practitioner Psychologist.

About us

The psychology team within Eric Shepherd Forensic services is a friendly, supportive and cohesive team comprising both clinical and forensic psychologists. The service regularly has Trainee Clinical and Trainee Forensic Psychologists on placement. Psychology is well respected in the wider service and plays an integral role in the treatment of service users.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide a qualified psychology service to adult males with an intellectual disability and offending behaviour within Eric Shepherd Forensic Service (ESFS). ESFS comprises both a medium and low secure inpatient service within Hertfordshire.

Within the OPD pathway to provide consultation, formulation and training to probation staff for service users who present with high risk behaviours.

In both parts of the post to provide specialist forensic assessment and interventions, as well as offering advice and consultation on psychological care to non-psychological services colleagues and other non-professional carers. To work autonomously within professional guidelines and the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures. To use research skills for audit, service development and research. To contribute to identifying key areas and priorities for psychological services. To provide clinical supervision for Assistant Psychologists and Trainee Psychologists within the service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist

Desirable

• Further post-qualification training in a therapeutic approach

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience of working within a forensic service or Criminal Justice System
• Experience in using formal risk assessment tools
• Experience in providing supervision to others

Desirable

• Previous experience of working with people with an intellectual disability

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Eric Shepherd Forensic Service, Warren Court

Woodside Road

Abbots Langley

WD5 0HT

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

367-LD&F-6754-B