Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for an assistant psychologist to work as part of our SOLAR Service at HMP North Sea Camp. The SOLAR service is one of 5 Pathways Enhanced Resettlement (PERS) services that form part of the OPD (Offender Personality Disorder) Pathway in open prisons. PERS services aim to support individuals who are likely to have difficulties managing the transition from closed to open conditions, or from open conditions to the community, due to problematic personality traits.
We are looking for someone who can work within our Schema Therapy informed service at HMP North Sea Camp, to support the delivery of the service including 1:1 key work appointments, development and delivery of psychologically informed and socially creative groups, and supporting with the identification and management of likely difficulties for the individuals working with the service.
The Trust also delivers Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) pathway services jointly with HMPPS both in the community and within custody, including a Therapeutic Community (TC) at HMP Gartree, a specialist treatment service (ACORN) at HMP Whatton, Intensive Intervention and Risk Management Services (IIRMS) and the community consultation service (CORE) in the community across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, in addition to the SOLAR Service.
Main duties of the job
Assist with the identification of individuals with likely problematic personality traits and associated behavioural or emotional instability likely to interfere with their ability to manage in open conditions.
Under supervision assist with the development of 'survival plans'/ case formulations for individuals accessing the service to identify potential triggers/ setbacks and establish management strategies for the individual and the staff team supporting them.
Support the delivery of keywork appointments, focusing on specific areas identified in the survival plan to assist with risk assessment and management.
Support the development and delivery of psychologically informed groups (i.e. 'understanding personality', managing disclosure, emotion management) and socially creative groups (i.e. quiz groups, current affairs discussions, arts and craft groups).
Assist with workforce development: Staff training and development underpins the effective delivery of the offender personality disorder strategy to enhance confidence and relational ways of working.
Engage meaningfully with clinical supervision.
Assist with clinically related administration, service development, audits and research.
Work within Trust policies and procedures and within those set out by HMP North Sea Camp
About us
#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.
We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.
We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.
The health and wellbeing of colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.
The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work in partnership with colleagues at HMP North Sea Camp to support with the ongoing development and delivery of the SOLAR service, a Pathways Enhanced Resettlement (PERS) service. This is one of 5 pilot services across the country supporting prisoners with problematic personality traits to manage the transition into open conditions and out into the community.
The post holder will work under the supervision of a qualified Clinical or Forensic Psychologist supporting the delivery of the PERS model of keywork and emotional containment, and provision of psychologically informed activities/ groups to individuals most at risk of recall to closed conditions as a result of their personality traits.
The Governments policy is for Her Majesties Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the National Health Service (NHS) to improve the management of offenders with personality disorder (PD) and delivery of services to this population through the development of joint operations, predominantly based within the criminal justice system (CJS). Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust deliver OPD pathway services in the community and within the prison estate.
The post holder will be employed by the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, managed under OPD Pathway Consultant Psychologist within the Specialist Services Care Unit and work in partnership with HMP North Sea Camp as part of the SOLAR service.
The post-holder will be part of a small but busy team comprising of Prison Officers and NHS staff and will be required to work alongside and under the supervision of a qualified clinical or forensic psychologist. The role will primarily be based at HMP North Sea Camp.
Want to know more?
For further details contact:
Dr Felicity Nichols
Consultant Psychologist and OPD Pathway Clinical and Strategic Lead
Felicity.nichols@nottshc.nhs.uk
01949 803473
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work in partnership with colleagues at HMP North Sea Camp to support with the ongoing development and delivery of the SOLAR service, a Pathways Enhanced Resettlement (PERS) service. This is one of 5 pilot services across the country supporting prisoners with problematic personality traits to manage the transition into open conditions and out into the community.
The post holder will work under the supervision of a qualified Clinical or Forensic Psychologist supporting the delivery of the PERS model of keywork and emotional containment, and provision of psychologically informed activities/ groups to individuals most at risk of recall to closed conditions as a result of their personality traits.
The Governments policy is for Her Majesties Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the National Health Service (NHS) to improve the management of offenders with personality disorder (PD) and delivery of services to this population through the development of joint operations, predominantly based within the criminal justice system (CJS). Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust deliver OPD pathway services in the community and within the prison estate.
The post holder will be employed by the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, managed under OPD Pathway Consultant Psychologist within the Specialist Services Care Unit and work in partnership with HMP North Sea Camp as part of the SOLAR service.
The post-holder will be part of a small but busy team comprising of Prison Officers and NHS staff and will be required to work alongside and under the supervision of a qualified clinical or forensic psychologist. The role will primarily be based at HMP North Sea Camp.
Want to know more?
For further details contact:
Dr Felicity Nichols
Consultant Psychologist and OPD Pathway Clinical and Strategic Lead
Felicity.nichols@nottshc.nhs.uk
01949 803473
Person Specification
Physical Requirements
Essential
- Able to sit still for long periods in clinical settings or for report writing, however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Qualifications
Essential
- 1st class or Upper second class honours degree or 2.2 plus higher degree in Psychology; and ability to demonstrate eligibility to graduate membership of the BPS.
Desirable
- Further relevant post-graduate training (e.g. in Forensic, clinical or other applied Psychology discipline).
- Further awareness level training in therapeutic modalities
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with offenders or patients with mental health problems/ intellectual & developmental disabilities/ personality disorders.
- Experience of working in Forensic/secure settings and mental health settings; o
- Experience of completing risk assessments;
- Experience of MDT and multi-agency working;
- Experience of psychometric testing (delivery, scoring and interpretation).
- Experience of delivering group or individual psychological work
Desirable
- Experience of supporting the development of structured group programmes.
- Experience of conference presentations, publications or teaching/training delivery.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of legal system or MHA (MH system)
- Knowledge and application of formulation with staff and service users
- Knowledge of psychological theories / models which help to understand personality difficulties
Desirable
- Knowledge of the prison/ probation system
- Knowledge of the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway
Skills
Essential
- Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context, specifically psychological theories relevant to personality disorder and offending behaviour
- Ability to identify risk factors and to use risk management strategies
- Excellent communication skills; able to overcome barriers and to communicate complex, sensitive information
- Evidence of ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively; (reflective practice / learning/ safety)
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with regular supervision;
- Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries;
- IT literacy for psychological data analysis (e.g. excel / SPSS)
Desirable
- Skills and experience in SPSS, databases/spreadsheets.
- Research and audit skills
Contractual Requirements
Essential
- Flexibility to work as and where required
Desirable
- Car owner with appropriate driving licence and insurance
values
Essential
- oAll colleagues are expected to demonstrate at interview that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
- oAll colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation
Person Specification
Physical Requirements
Essential
- Able to sit still for long periods in clinical settings or for report writing, however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Qualifications
Essential
- 1st class or Upper second class honours degree or 2.2 plus higher degree in Psychology; and ability to demonstrate eligibility to graduate membership of the BPS.
Desirable
- Further relevant post-graduate training (e.g. in Forensic, clinical or other applied Psychology discipline).
- Further awareness level training in therapeutic modalities
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with offenders or patients with mental health problems/ intellectual & developmental disabilities/ personality disorders.
- Experience of working in Forensic/secure settings and mental health settings; o
- Experience of completing risk assessments;
- Experience of MDT and multi-agency working;
- Experience of psychometric testing (delivery, scoring and interpretation).
- Experience of delivering group or individual psychological work
Desirable
- Experience of supporting the development of structured group programmes.
- Experience of conference presentations, publications or teaching/training delivery.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of legal system or MHA (MH system)
- Knowledge and application of formulation with staff and service users
- Knowledge of psychological theories / models which help to understand personality difficulties
Desirable
- Knowledge of the prison/ probation system
- Knowledge of the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway
Skills
Essential
- Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context, specifically psychological theories relevant to personality disorder and offending behaviour
- Ability to identify risk factors and to use risk management strategies
- Excellent communication skills; able to overcome barriers and to communicate complex, sensitive information
- Evidence of ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively; (reflective practice / learning/ safety)
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with regular supervision;
- Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries;
- IT literacy for psychological data analysis (e.g. excel / SPSS)
Desirable
- Skills and experience in SPSS, databases/spreadsheets.
- Research and audit skills
Contractual Requirements
Essential
- Flexibility to work as and where required
Desirable
- Car owner with appropriate driving licence and insurance
values
Essential
- oAll colleagues are expected to demonstrate at interview that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
- oAll colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation
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.
