Job summary
We are looking for a Higher Assistant Psychologist to work in Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTR) element of Community Sentence Treatment Requests in County Durham.
The MHTR is one of the twelve options available to magistrates and judges. Introduced in 2005, the MHTR provides a mechanism to ensure that certain offenders with mental health problems who are given a Community Order are able to access appropriate treatment.
This service is to provide the primary care element of the MHTR.
The aims and objectives of the provision of Primary Care MHTR is to:
- Reduce offending/reoffending by improving the health and social outcomes
- Provide alternatives to short custodial sentences
- Improve health outcomes
- Provide accessible service which enable engagement
- Strive for early sentencing, or as advised by the court
- To provide rapid access to appropriate and effective assessment and interventions
- Delivery services which meet the needs of individuals
- To provide evidence bases psychological interventions
- To be clinically led MHTR interventions
Main duties of the job
The main focus of the role will be provide assessment and subsequent intervention for up to 12 sessions. Primarily the model adopted will be cognitive behaviour therapy based to address primary care mental health needs such as anxiety and depression.
You will work under the supervision of the Clinical Lead (Principal Applied Psychologist) and to the professional practice guidelines as directed by the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC). In addition you will have various development opportunities accessible through wider support and networks including regular Higher Assistant Psychologist supervision forums and Trust led continuing professional development initiatives and training.
You will work alongside liaison and diversion (L&D) colleagues as well as partner organisations such as probation, the courts and other healthcare providers to ensure the aims and objectives of the service are met.
Applicants seeking secondment must ensure that prior to applying they have agreement from their current line manager that they can be released on a secondment basis if they wish secondment to be considered.
About us
We offer a wide range of professional development opportunities and training and encourage individuals to further develop their own clinical skills and experience. We also have a large research agenda within the Forensic Service and encourage individuals to pursue this.
We place a strong emphasis on professional and clinical supervision in order to support and develop individuals as part of our commitment in delivering the highest quality clinical service.
Why choose TEWV?
Our Agenda for Change staff have access to amazing staff benefits including:
- Free access to therapy and coaching which can be accessed in work time.
- Free car parking across our sites, saving you more than £300 per year compared to neighbouring Trusts.
- Access to the coveted NHS pension scheme.
- Continuing professional development opportunities including paid-for training.
- Career break scheme.
- Generous annual leave with the option to purchase more.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information about this post.
Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academys Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information about this post.
Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academys Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Psychology
- Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
- Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Further post graduatetraining in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, youth work, work with offenders and/or research design and analysis
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service
- Ability to relate therapeutically to the needs of clients and in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- Plan and organise effectively to meet required timescales.
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Psychology
- Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
- Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Further post graduatetraining in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, youth work, work with offenders and/or research design and analysis
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service
- Ability to relate therapeutically to the needs of clients and in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- Plan and organise effectively to meet required timescales.
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
