Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity an enthusiastic clinical, forensic or counselling psychologist to join the inpatient service at West London Forensic Service (WLFS). This is a full-time substantive post which is based at the St Bernard's Hospital site in Ealing.
The post will be attached to a ward in the men's secure service (the particular ward is to be confirmed but will be clear prior to interview). The successful candidate will be responsible for the provision of a highly developed and comprehensive psychology service to culturally diverse service-users with enduring mental health difficulties and offending histories.
The post is a band 8A position but can also be appointed as a Band 7 / 8A preceptorship, in which a candidate appointed at Band 7 would be able to progress to Band 8A following the achievement of a set of milestones in within post.
We welcome applications from highly-motivated and resourceful individuals who value team working, and who can demonstrate strong skills and experience in working in secure settings.
Main duties of the job
You will work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team on a ward within the male secure service (the particular ward is to be confirmed but will be clear prior to interview). You will have a key role in defining the psychological care pathway for individuals admitted to the unit through conducting highly specialist psychological assessments and through the provision of highly specialist psychological therapy.
As well as individual ward-based work, you will contribute to a well-established cross-ward group therapy programme. You will also advise on risk assessment and risk management, and support psychological practice within the team through consultation, supervision, and training.
You will have the opportunity to utilise skills in research, service evaluation, and audit within the service.
You will provide line management and supervision to qualified, trainee and assistant psychologists as delegated by the lead psychologist.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good honours degree (2:i minimum) in Psychology. Eligibility for graduate membership of BPS
- Post-graduate doctorate in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996 or those in lateral transfer) as accredited by the BPS.
- Training in clinical supervision for Doctoral, and equivalent, trainees
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a qualified (specialist) psychologist for a minimum of one year in a forensic clinical setting (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision
- Experience of having facilitated/co-facilitated psychological therapy groups
- Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts
Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Advanced specialist knowledge, both theoretical and practical, of psychology applied to forensic clinical practice
- Completion of at least 1 year's supervised practice in specialist forensic clinical practice
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications for work with mentally disordered offenders
- Able to make judgements involving highly complex facts or situations, which require the evaluation of a range of options (e.g. the assessment of specialist clinical conditions and the determination of treatment options), Where expert opinions may differ
- Able to plan, prioritise and organise own service user caseload, treatment programmes (individual or group) involving other staff, and other aspects of the work such as research activity Keyboard skills
Desirable
- Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of the assessment and treatment of personality disorder
- Knowledge of SPSS
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good honours degree (2:i minimum) in Psychology. Eligibility for graduate membership of BPS
- Post-graduate doctorate in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996 or those in lateral transfer) as accredited by the BPS.
- Training in clinical supervision for Doctoral, and equivalent, trainees
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a qualified (specialist) psychologist for a minimum of one year in a forensic clinical setting (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision
- Experience of having facilitated/co-facilitated psychological therapy groups
- Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts
Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Advanced specialist knowledge, both theoretical and practical, of psychology applied to forensic clinical practice
- Completion of at least 1 year's supervised practice in specialist forensic clinical practice
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications for work with mentally disordered offenders
- Able to make judgements involving highly complex facts or situations, which require the evaluation of a range of options (e.g. the assessment of specialist clinical conditions and the determination of treatment options), Where expert opinions may differ
- Able to plan, prioritise and organise own service user caseload, treatment programmes (individual or group) involving other staff, and other aspects of the work such as research activity Keyboard skills
Desirable
- Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of the assessment and treatment of personality disorder
- Knowledge of SPSS
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).
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.
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).
