MHTR PWP/Assistant Psychologist

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 13 May 2025

Job summary

We are looking for a Psychological Wellbeing practitioner or Assistant Psychologist will work within a newly established service, The Mental Health Treatment Requirement Service (MHTR) forming part of the wider Forensic Community Services across Lancashire and Cumbria. This particular post will cover Cumbria. Flexible working patterns will be considered. The role of the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner/Assistant Psychologist is to work with people who have been convicted of offences that appear to be associated with an unmet psychological need or problem. The post holder will be required to carry out assessments, formulations, and therapeutic interventions with this client group. These interventions will be low level and designed to treat presenting problems such as depression, anxiety, trauma, personality disorders and learning difficulties.The post holder will also be expected to evaluate their work. The post holder will be expected to work and base themselves in a variety of settings including Local Magistrates and Crown Courts and a range of Health, Social Care, and Probation Premises within North Cumbria. Therefore, travel is an integral part of the post. The post holder will also be expected to provide domiciliary visits where required and must have a flexible approach in order to facilitate therapeutic sessions in different accommodations.

Main duties of the job

To undertake screening assessments of clients including appropriateness of the referral and gain patient consent: assessments will include identification of mental health vulnerabilities, substance misuse needs, alongside barriers that may impact on the patient's ability/motivation to engage with sessional psychological interventions.

To complete psychological tests including self-report measures and rating scales; direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, and others involved in the client's care (e.g., Liaison & Diversion staff, Pre-Sentence Report writer, referrer, Defence Solicitor); and reviews of other Health and Social Care records, under the supervision of a qualified psychologist, i.e., the Clinical Lead.

To deliver psychological interventions under the supervision of a qualified psychologist, i.e., the Clinical Lead.To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings with partner agencies.To provide verbal and written reports to key partner agencies including Courts and Judiciary.To formulate and facilitate the discharge plan for individuals who are assessed as needing additional or ongoing support once the MHTR term is closed.

About us

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.

For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT

Date posted

29 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

351-SPS1409-CLK

Job locations

Carlisle Police Station

Carlisle

CA1 1QZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role

Person Specification

Education

Essential

Good honours degree in psychology (2:1+) or recognised counselling or Psychological Therapies qualification including: CBT, DBT, Person Centred, Solution Focused therapies etc.
Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) which needs to be clearly noted on the application form or BACP/BABCP or equivalent accreditation

Desirable

Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience in a relevant to field of practice

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of evidence-based interventions for working with those presenting with complex presentations and mental health difficulties.
Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based psychological therapy for a service user group
An understanding of trauma

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with people who have mental health difficulties and/or personality disorder difficulties.
Experience of delivering a range of therapies and interventions
Experience of MDT working and the voluntary sector.

Person Specification

Education

Essential

Good honours degree in psychology (2:1+) or recognised counselling or Psychological Therapies qualification including: CBT, DBT, Person Centred, Solution Focused therapies etc.
Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) which needs to be clearly noted on the application form or BACP/BABCP or equivalent accreditation

Desirable

Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience in a relevant to field of practice

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of evidence-based interventions for working with those presenting with complex presentations and mental health difficulties.
Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based psychological therapy for a service user group
An understanding of trauma

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with people who have mental health difficulties and/or personality disorder difficulties.
Experience of delivering a range of therapies and interventions
Experience of MDT working and the voluntary sector.

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.