Job summary This post offers an exciting opportunity for a Senior Clinical/Forensic/Counselling Psychologist or Psychological Therapist to work with people on probation with complex personality difficulties and a high risk of harm to others, as part of the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway. Main duties of the job The successful applicant will act as the Lead Psychological Therapist for the London OPD Housing and Accommodation Support Service (OPD HASS) and also work into the South East London Integrated Community Pathways Service (SE ICPS). The SE ICPS is a team of Psychological Therapists, Clinical Practitioners, and Probation Officers that provides direct and indirect support to people on the OPD Pathway by supporting probation practitioners with consultation and working alongside them and the people they manage, as well as offering assessment and psychologically informed care and treatment directly to people on the OPD Pathway. The post holder will also be providing specialist consultation, training, and reflective staff support to OPD HASS. About us Oxleas offers a wide range of NHS healthcare services to people in community and secure environment settings. Our services include community health care such as district nursing and speech and language therapy, care for people with learning disabilities and mental health care such as psychiatry, nursing and therapies. Our multidisciplinary teams look after people of all ages and we work in close partnership with other parts of the NHS, local councils and the voluntary sector and through our new provider collaboratives. Our 4,300 members of staff work in many different settings including hospitals, clinics, prisons, secure hospitals, children's centres, schools and people's homes.We have over 125 sites in a variety of locations in the South of England. In London we operate within the Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley Greenwich and into Kent. We manage hospital sites including Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup and Memorial Hospital, Woolwich, as well as the Bracton Centre, our medium secure unit for people with mental health needs. We are the largest NHS provider of prison health services providing healthcare to prisons within Devon, Dorset, Bristol, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, Kent and South London. We are proud of the care we provide and our people. Our purpose is to improve lives by providing the best possible care to our patients and their families. This is strengthened by our new values: We're Kind We're Fair We Listen We Care Date posted 10 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £61,927 to £68,676 a year pa inc pro rata Contract Fixed term Duration 11 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 277-6908497-FOR Job locations London Pathways Partnership 9 Holyrood Street London SE1 2EL Job description Job responsibilities As part of the broader Community OPD Pathway in London, we have the joint aims of reducing offending and improving psychological wellbeing. In the indirect component of the ICPS work, the post holder will be responsible for providing support to probation practitioners in identifying and managing people on probation who present a high risk of serious offending that is linked to personality difficulties. This will include offering individual and group consultations, joint working, training, staff support, and reflective practice. In the direct component of the work, the post holder will carry out intake assessments for the SE ICPS, including structured risk assessments, and make recommendations for risk management and treatment. The post holder will oversee the work of Clinical Practitioners working with the individuals presenting with the highest level of risk and need. The post holder will also provide enhanced therapeutic interventions (e.g., Mentalisation Based Therapy, EMDR, Schema Therapy) and other evidenced based interventions for people with complex trauma and personality difficulties. The post holder will utilise research skills in audit and other research and development activities. They will supervise and direct the work of junior psychological therapists and assistant and trainee psychologists as required. The post holder will work autonomously within professional guidelines, policies and procedures of LPPs services, and overarching objectives of LPP and the OPD Pathway. Job description Job responsibilities As part of the broader Community OPD Pathway in London, we have the joint aims of reducing offending and improving psychological wellbeing. In the indirect component of the ICPS work, the post holder will be responsible for providing support to probation practitioners in identifying and managing people on probation who present a high risk of serious offending that is linked to personality difficulties. This will include offering individual and group consultations, joint working, training, staff support, and reflective practice. In the direct component of the work, the post holder will carry out intake assessments for the SE ICPS, including structured risk assessments, and make recommendations for risk management and treatment. The post holder will oversee the work of Clinical Practitioners working with the individuals presenting with the highest level of risk and need. The post holder will also provide enhanced therapeutic interventions (e.g., Mentalisation Based Therapy, EMDR, Schema Therapy) and other evidenced based interventions for people with complex trauma and personality difficulties. The post holder will utilise research skills in audit and other research and development activities. They will supervise and direct the work of junior psychological therapists and assistant and trainee psychologists as required. The post holder will work autonomously within professional guidelines, policies and procedures of LPPs services, and overarching objectives of LPP and the OPD Pathway. Person Specification Education/Qualifications Essential Entry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession or equivalent and demonstrable practice in this field (ie professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration. Additional training beyond entry-level qualification in a specialised area of psychological practice (through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses and/an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical psychological therapy practice, assessed by a registered body and/or an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma or higher. Registered with professional body or regulatory body as appropriate to psychological therapy discipline i.e. HCPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP. Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional body. Desirable Training in an evidence-based treatment for the client group. Completed training course in clinical supervision. Training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology Accredited training in structured professional judgement approaches to risk assessment (including but not limited to the HCR20). Experience Essential Completion of a minimum of two years full-time (or equivalent part-time) post-doctoral / post qualification supervised experience Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with the full range of clinical severity under supervision. Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with the full range of clinical severity under supervision Experience of maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse. Desirable Experience of work or research undertaken in forensic / secure / locked settings Experience of providing supervision to pre-qualified psychological therapies staff or students, or other professionals. Experience of carrying out post-qualification research, audit or service evaluation projects. Experience of inter-agency working. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge Essential Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration. Ability to administer, score and interpret psychometric and neuropsychological tests with appropriate training and supervision. Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS. Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group, mental health and child protection. Knowledge of the theory and practice of psychological therapies relevant to the client group. Knowledge of the theory and practice of at least two specialised psychological therapies and two assessment methodologies. Knowledge of the principles and practice of clinical governance, clinical audit and risk management Knowledge of equal opportunities, confidentiality and consent issues. Ability to manage severely challenging behaviour/crisis intervention. Ability to manage unpredictable workloads and frequent demands on concentration and attention. Desirable Knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex data analysis. Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups Awareness of Criminal Justice and mental health services. Effort and Environment Essential Physical Effort: Light physical effort for several short periods/ sitting in constrained position for extended periods. Mental Effort: Ability to manage unpredictable workloads and frequent demands on concentration and attention Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration. Working Conditions: To face regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour. Other Essential Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings. Experience of working with diversity, including but not limited to a multicultural framework. Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour. Ability to form good working relationships with others in a multi-disciplinary setting. Interest and ability to contribute to service development. Commitment to Equal Opportunities. Ability to travel across London and work flexibly from different sites. Person Specification Education/Qualifications Essential Entry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession or equivalent and demonstrable practice in this field (ie professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration. Additional training beyond entry-level qualification in a specialised area of psychological practice (through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses and/an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical psychological therapy practice, assessed by a registered body and/or an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma or higher. Registered with professional body or regulatory body as appropriate to psychological therapy discipline i.e. HCPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP. Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional body. Desirable Training in an evidence-based treatment for the client group. Completed training course in clinical supervision. Training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology Accredited training in structured professional judgement approaches to risk assessment (including but not limited to the HCR20). Experience Essential Completion of a minimum of two years full-time (or equivalent part-time) post-doctoral / post qualification supervised experience Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with the full range of clinical severity under supervision. Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with the full range of clinical severity under supervision Experience of maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse. Desirable Experience of work or research undertaken in forensic / secure / locked settings Experience of providing supervision to pre-qualified psychological therapies staff or students, or other professionals. Experience of carrying out post-qualification research, audit or service evaluation projects. Experience of inter-agency working. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge Essential Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration. Ability to administer, score and interpret psychometric and neuropsychological tests with appropriate training and supervision. Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS. Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group, mental health and child protection. Knowledge of the theory and practice of psychological therapies relevant to the client group. Knowledge of the theory and practice of at least two specialised psychological therapies and two assessment methodologies. Knowledge of the principles and practice of clinical governance, clinical audit and risk management Knowledge of equal opportunities, confidentiality and consent issues. Ability to manage severely challenging behaviour/crisis intervention. Ability to manage unpredictable workloads and frequent demands on concentration and attention. Desirable Knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex data analysis. Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups Awareness of Criminal Justice and mental health services. Effort and Environment Essential Physical Effort: Light physical effort for several short periods/ sitting in constrained position for extended periods. Mental Effort: Ability to manage unpredictable workloads and frequent demands on concentration and attention Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration. Working Conditions: To face regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour. Other Essential Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings. Experience of working with diversity, including but not limited to a multicultural framework. Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour. Ability to form good working relationships with others in a multi-disciplinary setting. Interest and ability to contribute to service development. Commitment to Equal Opportunities. Ability to travel across London and work flexibly from different sites. 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Address London Pathways Partnership 9 Holyrood Street London SE1 2EL Employer's website http://oxleas.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)