Applied Practitioner Psychologist

Job summary

We are offering an exciting opportunity for an Applied Psychologist to join our Forensic Directorate Psychological Service, within the low secure inpatient service on Willow Ward, The Redwood Centre based in Shrewsbury.

Willow Ward strives to support the recovery ofadult men with histories of mental health difficulties and risk behaviours through high quality multi-disciplinary care. Working in a forensic inpatient setting requires familiarity and confidence in engaging with service users responsible for offences that have caused violent or sexual harm.

We welcome application from Clinical, Counselling and Forensic Psychologists. Experience of working in forensic services is not essential as relevant training will be provided, but it is desirable. Of primary importance is an interest and commitment to working with individuals with complex mental health and risk-related needs. You will also benefit from the support of the wider psychology team across MPFT.

You will be committed to contributing to improving the quality of life of people with complex mental health problems who present a risk of harm to others and will have an interest in compassion focused, trauma informed approaches and will be keen to contribute to the development of psychological services within the Forensic Directorate.

We offer a '10% welcome incentive' for this role. See below for further details.

There is an opportunity for home working 2-3 days per week.

Main duties of the job

The Principal Applied [CD1]Psychologist on Willow Wardwill lead provision of a specialist psychological service to support inpatient service users in their further recovery and prepare them to step down from secure care.

Strong emphasis is placed on supporting the wider workforce, enhancing their understanding of and support for psychologically informed ways of working through formulation-based meetings, while also supporting them in their roles through provision of reflective practice, critical incident support and training.

As part of this role, you will be expected to:

• Provide highly specialist psychological assessments for service users of the Forensic Directorate based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex psychological data from a variety of sources.
• Formulate and implement plans for the formal psychological treatment and/or management of a service user's mental health problems and/or offending behaviour, based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of the service user's problems, and employing methods of proven efficacy, across the full range of forensic settings and other health and community settings.
• Supervise and support the psychological assessment, formulation and treatment provided by other staff who provide psychologically based care and treatment to service users including Band 7 and 8a Applied Psychologists.
• Routinely work with service users who have been perpetrators and/or victims of serious offences and/or who show severely challenging behaviour. This includes people who have caused serious harm due to violent and sexual behaviour.
• Work with service users and other professionals in community settings, including local hospitals, mental health resource centres, Social Services and Probation Offices, prisons, special hospitals and other secure facilities as required.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.