Job summary
We are looking for a Band 5 Assistant Psychologist to join the
intensive intervention and risk management arm of the Support to Succeed Team on a substantive basis. This service
works with high risk offenders with
personality difficulties across Devon.
The
Support to Succeed service combines
the probation consultation service and the Intensive Intervention and Risk
Management service (IIRMs). The primary
focus of this post is principally the IIRMs although there will be opportunity
for cross-working to other parts of the service. IIRMs is designed to support the outcomes of
the OPD Pathway by providing a community based service that delivers
individually tailored and psychologically informed interventions directly to
offenders. An understanding about the
impacts of trauma / trauma-informed care will be a benefit.
The
post holder will join a multi-professional team in delivering personality
disorder services to offenders on release to the community on licence. We anticipate providing high, medium and low
intensity treatment or support including a weekly drop-in and ‘hub.’
The service aims to work alongside probation to
identify, treat, and manage high risk offenders with personality
difficulties. We seek to ensure a smooth
transition back into society and reduce the risk of re-offending or recall.
Main duties of the job
As an Assistant Psychologist you will
possess a 2:1 Bachelor’s Degree (with Honours) in Psychology or an
equivalent qualification and significant
post-graduate experience working as an Assistant Psychologist in a mental
health, forensic or care setting.
Flexibility
in approach is important as is the ability to work as part of a team. You will have some knowledge and experience
of group work and individual therapeutic contact and be able to demonstrate
your capacity to apply psychological
knowledge in a health, mental health or offence context.
To be
successful in this role, you will need to be enthusiastic, forward thinking and
emotionally resilient with a passion and commitment to supporting people with
personality difficulties.
The post
holder will work closely with colleagues in the wider OPD pathway and will be
embedded within Devon’s Secure Services Directorate. There will be opportunities to receive
training with the wider assistant and trainee psychologist group.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health & learning disability services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
Our values
We not only recruit employees based on their qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess and demonstrate the behaviours which underpin the core values of our organisation. These values include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health & learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information about this role please see the Job Description and Person Specification in the supporting documents
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information about this role please see the Job Description and Person Specification in the supporting documents
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree at 2:1 or above in psychology and the qualification renders the applicant eligible for graduate membership of the BPS or a BA or BSc (Hons) in modular studies incl. psychology & related fields.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, health and social care practice, and / or research design and analysis
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health, mental health and offence context
- To be able to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times.
- To be able to provide and receive complex sensitive or contentious information in a potentially highly emotive atmosphere.
- High standard of report writing.
Desirable
- Ability to work independently within defined occupational procedures and use initiative.
- Ability to work as a member of a team.
- Ability to tolerate ambiguity, and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts.
- Ability to travel between bases preferably being able to drive and having access to a vehicle.
Experience
Essential
- Significant Assistant Psychologist experience in a related setting
- Relevant clinical and research skills
- Experience of working as part of a team
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with complex needs
- Experience of working with people with personality problems, preferably in a mental health or forensic setting
- Experience of the use of psychometric tests
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree at 2:1 or above in psychology and the qualification renders the applicant eligible for graduate membership of the BPS or a BA or BSc (Hons) in modular studies incl. psychology & related fields.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, health and social care practice, and / or research design and analysis
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health, mental health and offence context
- To be able to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times.
- To be able to provide and receive complex sensitive or contentious information in a potentially highly emotive atmosphere.
- High standard of report writing.
Desirable
- Ability to work independently within defined occupational procedures and use initiative.
- Ability to work as a member of a team.
- Ability to tolerate ambiguity, and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts.
- Ability to travel between bases preferably being able to drive and having access to a vehicle.
Experience
Essential
- Significant Assistant Psychologist experience in a related setting
- Relevant clinical and research skills
- Experience of working as part of a team
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with complex needs
- Experience of working with people with personality problems, preferably in a mental health or forensic setting
- Experience of the use of psychometric tests
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
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).
