Job summary Are you someone looking to start a career in one of the UKs most respected mental health trusts? Would you like to do a job that makes a difference every day? We are looking for an Assistant Psychologist to join our highly valued Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disorder (FIND) service. The team is based at Easby House at Langdon Hospital in Dawlish and offers high quality psychological care to individuals with forensic backgrounds and their support networks. FINDs role is to: Reduce or prevent the inappropriate admission of individuals with learning disability, autism, and acquired brain injury into secure care. Support individuals with learning disability, autism, and acquired brain injury to progress through the secure care system and transition to living in the community. FIND provide support to patients who are often at the most distressing and overwhelming periods of their lives. You will be working in a challenging but rewarding clinical environment, with the close support of your colleagues within the team, across the service and alongside community care providers. You will also be part of a wider group of psychological professionals working across the community forensic service which also includes the Forensic Personality Disorder Service (FPDS) and the Specialist Community Forensic Team (CFT). If you would like to learn more about the post please contact Dr Beverley Geary, Principal Clinical Psychologist Beverley.geary2nhs.net/ 07805587706 Main duties of the job As an Assistant Psychologist in FIND, you will work as part of a team who provide holistic and high quality care to people with complex needs who come into contact with secure services. The role will include supporting thewider multidisciplinary team with psychological and risk centred assessment, and offering formulation at an individual and systemic level. You will contribute toand lead on interventions including direct work with patients and systems level work with other services involved in patient care. In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of the FIND service through research, audit, and keeping abreast of the evolving evidence-base underpinning patient care. The role is dynamic and you will be offered agency in developing it to enhance your skillset and create learning opportunities. You will be able to apply your knowledge and experience of mental health and forensic settings across assessment, formulation, and intervention. You will be provided with opportunities to complement your knowledge with additional training, joint working and in receiving supervision. You will be enthusiastic, forward thinking and emotionally resilient with a passion and commitment to supporting people with complex mental health difficulties. The post holder will work closely with colleagues in the wider Community Forensic Service and will be embedded within Devons Secure Services Directorate. About us About Devon Partnership Trust We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity 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. We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do Our values We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These 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 conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader. Date posted 03 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £29,970 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number C9369-25-0165 Job locations Easby House, Langdon Hospital Exeter Road Dawlish Devon EX7 0NR Job description Job responsibilities Job Purpose The principal purpose of the job is to improve the psychological health & wellbeing of people with Learning Disability, Autism, and Acquired Brain Injury within the Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disorder (FIND) Service. This will be achieved in this post by- 1. Providing a Psychology and Psychological Therapies service to the FIND Service, and the wider Community Forensic Services, as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services to Devon Partnership Trust. 2. Implementing specific assessment and clinical care packages and providing advice and consultancy to patients, family members, carers and professionals within standard operating procedures under the supervision and management of the Professional Lead 3. The post holder will be supported by the Professional Lead and also by senior colleagues within the psychology department. The post holder will be expected to make good use of the expertise of others within the service to further develop their clinical knowledge and skills relevant to a clinical and staff population in a forensic mental health service. 4. To work within professional guidelines and Devon Partnership Trust procedures and protocols. 5. The post holder will receive regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society or appropriate designated Professional Body MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Communication & Working Relationships Clients, family and carers: To communicate in a highly skilled and sensitive manner with clients who may have specific difficulties in understanding and/or communicating and who may be hostile, antagonistic or highly emotionally aroused. To communicate effectively and develop positive working relationships when required with family and carers. Multidisciplinary team colleagues: To work closely with colleagues in the multi-professional integrated mental health and wellbeing service on a day to day basis. Health & social care staff: To communicate with a wide range of health & social care staff in hospital and in community settings in a skilled and sensitive manner. To communicate complex and sensitive information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under the services care. To provide support & guidance in the application of psychological principles and techniques, and to foster reflective practice. Senior managers & professional staff: To maintain and build good working relationships with senior professional staff and managers in the Secure Services Directorate and in DPT, to foster a positive approach to the integrated mental health and wellbeing service and to enable effective negotiation. Planning & Organisation The FIND team and wider CFS psychology service: To plan and prioritise own workload with supervisor, balancing the demands of patient care, support and guidance for carers and professionals, and service research and development activities. The multidisciplinary service: To provide psychology knowledge to the multi-professional planning, development and implementation of mental health and wellbeing services. Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment & Therapy Assessment & intervention: To conduct assessments, provide formulations and reports, and deliver treatment plans within a supervised context for individuals, carers, families and groups, and to demonstrate awareness of diversity issues. Consultation & guidance: To provide advice, guidance and consultation on psychological aspects of patient care to colleagues, other service providers, patients, supporters and families. To be aware of the impact of modelling of psychological principles and psychological ways of working for teams and service users. Policy, Service, Research & Development Responsibility The post holder is responsible for their own professional actions, acting within Trust policies and procedures and Professional Practice Guidelines, working within clearly defined occupational procedures. Policy & service: To follow policy guidance in own role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments. R & D: To undertake service-relevant research and development activity agreed within the psychology service, and to organise personal or service led R & D activities as required. Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources Responsible use of equipment, including psychometric tests within the psychology department and wider Directorate. Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership & Management Leadership & supervision: To adhere to professional and local guidelines on supervision and management. To assist the work of less experienced assistants &/or trainees as required. To role model and provide support and consultation to health and social care colleagues as required. To use initiative and adopt a proactive approach in carrying out service development, audit and research. Information Resources & Administrative Duties To maintain accurate records in accordance with professional and local guidelines and policies. To be responsible for using an email account to generate, monitor, and respond to the e-mail traffic by which the Trust conducts much of its internal communication. To support administrative processes within the psychology department associated with the operation and delivery of the clinical service. Any Other Specific Tasks Required To ensure all clinical care and treatment provided by psychologists is carried out under appropriate supervision and leadership. To ensure that all psychologists continuously update the skills and techniques relevant to their clinical work. To be prepared to work flexibly to support the service. Review of this Job Description This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of changing service needs. This job description is to be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder on an annual basis. General Information Confidentiality The post holder will maintain appropriate confidentiality of information relating to the Trust, individuals and patient information. The post holder will be expected to comply with all aspects of the Data Protection Act. Equality & Diversity Devon Partnership NHS Trust is committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all staff and for those who access services. You must work in accordance with equal opportunity policies/procedures and promote the equality and diversity agenda of the Devon Partnership Trust. Relational and Restorative Practice, Together and Recovery It is a requirement of all employees to have an understanding of the broad principals of the Recovery Approach and to incorporate them into every aspect of their work in support of the Trusts aim to provide services that support peoples recovery through being holistic and promoting social inclusion, self-management, personal autonomy and independence. Additionally having an understanding and support for relational, restorative ways of working is consistent with our aims, alongside the Trusts Together approach, which shapes our culture and good practice for patients and staff in the forensic services. Risk Management / Health and Safety Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, ensure that agreed safety procedures are carried out and maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and visitors. Records Management The post holder has responsibility for the timely and accurate creation, maintenance and storage of records in accordance with Trust policy, including email documents and with regard to the Data Protection Act, The Freedom of Information Act and any other relevant statutory requirements. Clinical Governance The post holder will be expected to participate in clinical governance activities to assist the Trust to provide high quality services. Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infection The post holder is expected to comply with Trust Infection Control Policies and conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection. Smoking The Trust operates a non-smoking policy. Employees are not permitted to smoke anywhere within the premises of the Trust or when outside on official business. Staff must also be mindful of public perception and must therefore not smoke whilst travelling in Trust identified vehicles or when can be identified as Devon Partnership Mental Health Trust staff. Policies & Procedures Trust employees are expected to follow Trust policies, procedures and guidance as well as professional standards and guidelines. Copies of Trust policies can be accessed via the staff intranet or external website or via your manager. Job description Job responsibilities Job Purpose The principal purpose of the job is to improve the psychological health & wellbeing of people with Learning Disability, Autism, and Acquired Brain Injury within the Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disorder (FIND) Service. This will be achieved in this post by- 1. Providing a Psychology and Psychological Therapies service to the FIND Service, and the wider Community Forensic Services, as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services to Devon Partnership Trust. 2. Implementing specific assessment and clinical care packages and providing advice and consultancy to patients, family members, carers and professionals within standard operating procedures under the supervision and management of the Professional Lead 3. The post holder will be supported by the Professional Lead and also by senior colleagues within the psychology department. The post holder will be expected to make good use of the expertise of others within the service to further develop their clinical knowledge and skills relevant to a clinical and staff population in a forensic mental health service. 4. To work within professional guidelines and Devon Partnership Trust procedures and protocols. 5. The post holder will receive regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society or appropriate designated Professional Body MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Communication & Working Relationships Clients, family and carers: To communicate in a highly skilled and sensitive manner with clients who may have specific difficulties in understanding and/or communicating and who may be hostile, antagonistic or highly emotionally aroused. To communicate effectively and develop positive working relationships when required with family and carers. Multidisciplinary team colleagues: To work closely with colleagues in the multi-professional integrated mental health and wellbeing service on a day to day basis. Health & social care staff: To communicate with a wide range of health & social care staff in hospital and in community settings in a skilled and sensitive manner. To communicate complex and sensitive information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under the services care. To provide support & guidance in the application of psychological principles and techniques, and to foster reflective practice. Senior managers & professional staff: To maintain and build good working relationships with senior professional staff and managers in the Secure Services Directorate and in DPT, to foster a positive approach to the integrated mental health and wellbeing service and to enable effective negotiation. Planning & Organisation The FIND team and wider CFS psychology service: To plan and prioritise own workload with supervisor, balancing the demands of patient care, support and guidance for carers and professionals, and service research and development activities. The multidisciplinary service: To provide psychology knowledge to the multi-professional planning, development and implementation of mental health and wellbeing services. Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment & Therapy Assessment & intervention: To conduct assessments, provide formulations and reports, and deliver treatment plans within a supervised context for individuals, carers, families and groups, and to demonstrate awareness of diversity issues. Consultation & guidance: To provide advice, guidance and consultation on psychological aspects of patient care to colleagues, other service providers, patients, supporters and families. To be aware of the impact of modelling of psychological principles and psychological ways of working for teams and service users. Policy, Service, Research & Development Responsibility The post holder is responsible for their own professional actions, acting within Trust policies and procedures and Professional Practice Guidelines, working within clearly defined occupational procedures. Policy & service: To follow policy guidance in own role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments. R & D: To undertake service-relevant research and development activity agreed within the psychology service, and to organise personal or service led R & D activities as required. Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources Responsible use of equipment, including psychometric tests within the psychology department and wider Directorate. Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership & Management Leadership & supervision: To adhere to professional and local guidelines on supervision and management. To assist the work of less experienced assistants &/or trainees as required. To role model and provide support and consultation to health and social care colleagues as required. To use initiative and adopt a proactive approach in carrying out service development, audit and research. Information Resources & Administrative Duties To maintain accurate records in accordance with professional and local guidelines and policies. To be responsible for using an email account to generate, monitor, and respond to the e-mail traffic by which the Trust conducts much of its internal communication. To support administrative processes within the psychology department associated with the operation and delivery of the clinical service. Any Other Specific Tasks Required To ensure all clinical care and treatment provided by psychologists is carried out under appropriate supervision and leadership. To ensure that all psychologists continuously update the skills and techniques relevant to their clinical work. To be prepared to work flexibly to support the service. Review of this Job Description This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of changing service needs. This job description is to be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder on an annual basis. General Information Confidentiality The post holder will maintain appropriate confidentiality of information relating to the Trust, individuals and patient information. The post holder will be expected to comply with all aspects of the Data Protection Act. Equality & Diversity Devon Partnership NHS Trust is committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all staff and for those who access services. You must work in accordance with equal opportunity policies/procedures and promote the equality and diversity agenda of the Devon Partnership Trust. Relational and Restorative Practice, Together and Recovery It is a requirement of all employees to have an understanding of the broad principals of the Recovery Approach and to incorporate them into every aspect of their work in support of the Trusts aim to provide services that support peoples recovery through being holistic and promoting social inclusion, self-management, personal autonomy and independence. Additionally having an understanding and support for relational, restorative ways of working is consistent with our aims, alongside the Trusts Together approach, which shapes our culture and good practice for patients and staff in the forensic services. Risk Management / Health and Safety Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, ensure that agreed safety procedures are carried out and maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and visitors. Records Management The post holder has responsibility for the timely and accurate creation, maintenance and storage of records in accordance with Trust policy, including email documents and with regard to the Data Protection Act, The Freedom of Information Act and any other relevant statutory requirements. Clinical Governance The post holder will be expected to participate in clinical governance activities to assist the Trust to provide high quality services. Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infection The post holder is expected to comply with Trust Infection Control Policies and conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection. Smoking The Trust operates a non-smoking policy. Employees are not permitted to smoke anywhere within the premises of the Trust or when outside on official business. Staff must also be mindful of public perception and must therefore not smoke whilst travelling in Trust identified vehicles or when can be identified as Devon Partnership Mental Health Trust staff. Policies & Procedures Trust employees are expected to follow Trust policies, procedures and guidance as well as professional standards and guidelines. Copies of Trust policies can be accessed via the staff intranet or external website or via your manager. Person Specification Experience Essential Minimum of 12 months Assistant Psychologist experience in a related setting (mental health, learning disability, autism, or acquired brain injury) Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across a range of care settings, such as outpatient, community, primary care and inpatient settings. Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team. Experience of providing psychological intervention (individual or group work) Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health, mental health and forensic context Desirable Experience of working with people with a learning disability and/or autism Experience of working within a forensic or mental health setting. Experience of providing teaching, training and/or supervision. Experience of working systemically with clients family members, external organisations and care providers to improve patient care. Qualifications Essential Honours degree at 2:1 or above in psychology or a BA or BSc (Hons) in modular studies incl. psychology & related fields. The degree qualification must render the applicant eligible for graduate membership of the BPS. Desirable Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, health and social care practice, and / or research design and analysis Skills Essential 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. Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills. High standard of report writing. Ability to integrate complex information; make evaluations; produce psychological formulations and contribute to decisions. To assimilate complex information and use reflective/analytic thinking, to apply psychological perspectives in work in a criminal justice setting Organisation and time management skills. Ability to be flexible and cope with multiple demands. Capable of using initiative and organise work to agreed goals. Ability to work independently and know when to ask for and use supervision, identifying when there is need for advice and using supervision at agreed intervals. Small-scale project management skills. Information technology skills. To have highly developed IT skills. Ability to sit in restricted positions for prolonged periods of time. A commitment to furthering knowledge and understanding of diversity and social inequality and how these may impact on a persons experiences and mental health. Ability to work independently within defined occupational procedures and use initiative. Ability to work as a member of a clinical team and to work collaboratively, flexibly and supportively. Ability to tolerate ambiguity, and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts. Ability to be mobile across geographical areas. Ability and experience of reflecting on practice and to understand, to respond and to be receptive to the process of professional development. Desirable Skilled in quantitative and qualitative research methods and techniques. Skilled in contributing to and helping design research, service evaluation and audit. Person Specification Experience Essential Minimum of 12 months Assistant Psychologist experience in a related setting (mental health, learning disability, autism, or acquired brain injury) Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across a range of care settings, such as outpatient, community, primary care and inpatient settings. Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team. Experience of providing psychological intervention (individual or group work) Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health, mental health and forensic context Desirable Experience of working with people with a learning disability and/or autism Experience of working within a forensic or mental health setting. Experience of providing teaching, training and/or supervision. Experience of working systemically with clients family members, external organisations and care providers to improve patient care. Qualifications Essential Honours degree at 2:1 or above in psychology or a BA or BSc (Hons) in modular studies incl. psychology & related fields. The degree qualification must render the applicant eligible for graduate membership of the BPS. Desirable Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, health and social care practice, and / or research design and analysis Skills Essential 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. Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills. High standard of report writing. Ability to integrate complex information; make evaluations; produce psychological formulations and contribute to decisions. To assimilate complex information and use reflective/analytic thinking, to apply psychological perspectives in work in a criminal justice setting Organisation and time management skills. Ability to be flexible and cope with multiple demands. Capable of using initiative and organise work to agreed goals. Ability to work independently and know when to ask for and use supervision, identifying when there is need for advice and using supervision at agreed intervals. Small-scale project management skills. Information technology skills. To have highly developed IT skills. Ability to sit in restricted positions for prolonged periods of time. A commitment to furthering knowledge and understanding of diversity and social inequality and how these may impact on a persons experiences and mental health. Ability to work independently within defined occupational procedures and use initiative. Ability to work as a member of a clinical team and to work collaboratively, flexibly and supportively. Ability to tolerate ambiguity, and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts. Ability to be mobile across geographical areas. Ability and experience of reflecting on practice and to understand, to respond and to be receptive to the process of professional development. Desirable Skilled in quantitative and qualitative research methods and techniques. Skilled in contributing to and helping design research, service evaluation and audit. 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 Devon Partnership NHS Trust Address Easby House, Langdon Hospital Exeter Road Dawlish Devon EX7 0NR Employer's website https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)