Job summary An excellent opportunity has arisen for a motivated and passionate assistant psychologist, to work with those who are in the process of, or having recently, transitioned out of secure care to live in the community. This is a full-time post based in the Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT). We welcome applications from those with a good first degree in psychology (with BPS accreditation) and experience of contact with those with mental health difficulties and/or those in contact with forensic services/criminal justice system. Applicants would be expected to have a good understanding of psychology theory and looking to develop their skills. The SCFT is a developing and innovative service responsible for overseeing care of clients detained to secure hospitals and support the smooth transition back into the community. Our aims are to reduce the length of stay and to prevent admission to secure care by providing enhanced community support, to facilitate, support and maintain discharge processes and by supporting proactive/preventative work. The post holder will be an assistant psychologist who will support the psychology provision and become a key member of the SCFT multi-disciplinary team, and will assist in the provision of high quality, psychologically informed, risk aware care for a cohort of patients with complex forensic mental health needs. The team office is based in Fromeside, Bristol however there is an expected element of travel within the role. Main duties of the job Key role responsibilities will include: Assist in the provision of psychological interventions for patients actively under the care management of the SCFT Assist in the delivery of tiered levels of psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention for the SCFT caseload, appropriate to experience and under supervision Autonomous work within professional guidelines Utilising research skills to assist in audit, policy, and service development. Assist in the delivery of psychology-based training to the MDT as identified. About us We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset. Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care. At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger. Date posted 31 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £29,970 to £36,483 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 342-SEC029-0325 Job locations Blackberry Hill Hospital Manor Road Fishponds, Bristol BS16 1ED Job description Job responsibilities CLINICAL To support the Practitioner Psychologists within the community. Where required, to prepare and deliver high quality psychological interventions under supervision, either individually or in groups. Where required, to offer range of high quality psychological assessments following instructions appropriate to the assessment tools/processes. To take a significant degree of responsibility for the administration and scoring of such assessments. To gather and organise information about clinical notes, relevant psychological interventions and clinical tools for use by other staff. To work alongside other team members and ensure close liaison and communication within teams. To work with a significant level of autonomy to prepare, deliver and review psychological work and to represent a psychological view to multidisciplinary professional. To work with service users who may be acutely distressed and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times. To maintain clinical records, databases and other professional records as appropriate.TEACHING AND TRAINING To undertake such training as might be required to maintain an appropriate level of expertise. To assist with the delivery of teaching and training for other members of the multidisciplinary team and staff in other agencies, in collaboration with qualified staff.RESEARCH AND AUDIT Where required, to assist with the audit and evaluation of the service in collaboration with qualified clinical and counselling psychologists and other members of the multidisciplinary team. To compile and return statistics and activity levels as required. Where required, to undertake literature searches and reviews. PROFESSIONAL To understand and practice in line with the BPS (2009) Code of Ethics and Conduct and the DCP (2008) Professional Practice Guidelines on the role To participate in team business and professional meetings as appropriate. To be aware of and comply with all policies, procedures and directions of the Department, Service and Trust. To seek regular support and clinical supervision from a Practitioner Psychologist. To participate in individual, group and peer supervision. To participate in meetings with members of nursing staff and MDTs as appropriate. To maintain accurate and appropriate records of work. CLINICAL GOVERNANCE1. To participate in service governance processes to ensure a safe and effective service. 2. To support and participate in multidisciplinary clinical audit.3. To liaise with other disciplines and agencies to ensure best practice is shared. 4. To promote the use of effective interventions in the service. GENERAL1. To assist in the production of resources and materials used by the service2. To assist with the general running of the Team/Service eg minuting department meetings. Job description Job responsibilities CLINICAL To support the Practitioner Psychologists within the community. Where required, to prepare and deliver high quality psychological interventions under supervision, either individually or in groups. Where required, to offer range of high quality psychological assessments following instructions appropriate to the assessment tools/processes. To take a significant degree of responsibility for the administration and scoring of such assessments. To gather and organise information about clinical notes, relevant psychological interventions and clinical tools for use by other staff. To work alongside other team members and ensure close liaison and communication within teams. To work with a significant level of autonomy to prepare, deliver and review psychological work and to represent a psychological view to multidisciplinary professional. To work with service users who may be acutely distressed and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times. To maintain clinical records, databases and other professional records as appropriate.TEACHING AND TRAINING To undertake such training as might be required to maintain an appropriate level of expertise. To assist with the delivery of teaching and training for other members of the multidisciplinary team and staff in other agencies, in collaboration with qualified staff.RESEARCH AND AUDIT Where required, to assist with the audit and evaluation of the service in collaboration with qualified clinical and counselling psychologists and other members of the multidisciplinary team. To compile and return statistics and activity levels as required. Where required, to undertake literature searches and reviews. PROFESSIONAL To understand and practice in line with the BPS (2009) Code of Ethics and Conduct and the DCP (2008) Professional Practice Guidelines on the role To participate in team business and professional meetings as appropriate. To be aware of and comply with all policies, procedures and directions of the Department, Service and Trust. To seek regular support and clinical supervision from a Practitioner Psychologist. To participate in individual, group and peer supervision. To participate in meetings with members of nursing staff and MDTs as appropriate. To maintain accurate and appropriate records of work. CLINICAL GOVERNANCE1. To participate in service governance processes to ensure a safe and effective service. 2. To support and participate in multidisciplinary clinical audit.3. To liaise with other disciplines and agencies to ensure best practice is shared. 4. To promote the use of effective interventions in the service. GENERAL1. To assist in the production of resources and materials used by the service2. To assist with the general running of the Team/Service eg minuting department meetings. Person Specification Qualifications Essential BPS Recognised Psychology degree Desirable Further training in psychological therapy Experience Essential Experience of working in a previous Assistant Psychologist post or equivalent health professional role. Understanding of common mental health problems Knowledge of safeguarding Experience of working with a range of client groups. Audit or research experience Desirable Experience of developing and delivering training. Experience of using statistical packages Person Specification Qualifications Essential BPS Recognised Psychology degree Desirable Further training in psychological therapy Experience Essential Experience of working in a previous Assistant Psychologist post or equivalent health professional role. Understanding of common mental health problems Knowledge of safeguarding Experience of working with a range of client groups. Audit or research experience Desirable Experience of developing and delivering training. Experience of using statistical packages 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. Employer details Employer name Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust Address Blackberry Hill Hospital Manor Road Fishponds, Bristol BS16 1ED Employer's website http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)