Oxford Health NHS Trust

Assistant Psychologist - Thames Valley Integrated OPD

The closing date is 26 June 2025

Job summary

Are you passionate about working with people whose early traumatic experiences have contributed to high-risk offending behaviours?

Do you want to be supported in your professional development within an encouraging, supportive and experienced team?

The Thames Valley Integrated Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway Service are recruiting for two proactive, flexible and relational Assistant Psychologistswho are passionate about multi-agency working and providing direct and indirect input to a stigmatised and marginalised population.

The service works across the Thames Valley and the two role are based within Probation Offices in both Oxford and Berkshire. One role will cover the Oxford and Reading office; the other will cover the Oxford and Slough office. The ability to travel independently between sites within the Trust is essential for this role. There is the opportunity to work from home 1 to 2 days a week.

Co-production and collaboration is really important to us and central to our team ethos and we believe that diversity in teams helps improve trust and respect between staff and encourages typically excluded groups to engage with us. If you have any protected characteristics or are from a BAME background, then we are particularly keen to receive an application from you.

Our psychology department is proud of the diversity of therapeutic approaches utilised in our work and the supportive and nurturing environment that we have created. Come and join us!

Main duties of the job

The Integrated OPD Pathway Service is jointly commissioned by the NHS and Probation Service and consists of Core OPD and Enhanced Intensive Intervention and Risk Management Service (EIIRMS).

OPD is a consultation service that provides psychological input to Probation teams, working with people on probation with personality difficulties/ experiences of early life trauma and EIIRMS works directly with clients providing psychologically informed, psychosocial interventions.

Our clients present with high levels of need and risk; most are transitioning from custody to the community and we work closely with the person's Probation Practitioner and other community organisations involved with the client. In this role, you will work across both parts of the service.

Our team consists of staff from several disciplines including administrators, assistant, clinical, counselling and forensic psychologists, health and skills facilitators, probation officers, a probation service officer, a social worker and a team lead.

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

o Excellent opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)o Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Date posted

19 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year plus an RSU allowance of £1,446 per annum | pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

267-FS7277329

Job locations

Oxford Probation Office and Slough or Reading Probation Office

Oxford, Slough, Reading

OX1 1BN

Job description

Job responsibilities

Supporting the Thames Valley Integrated OPD Pathway Service in undertaking case identification and the appropriate triage of high risk, high need people on the Probation caseload
Facilitating case consultations with Probation Officers and developing psychological formulations under supervision.
Delivering psychosocial interventions to the Enhanced Intensive Intervention & Risk Management Service (EIIRMS) users, with multi-disciplinary and multi-agency team members.
Supporting the evaluation and governance of the service by assisting in clinically related administration, the collection and reporting of data for commissioning and other such quality improvement needs.
Participating in activities of the wider forensic psychology team e.g. continuing professional development opportunities.

Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties.

We sit within the Forensic Mental Health Psychology team, who work in inpatient and community settings and this provides you with a unique learning opportunity. The whole department meets monthly for a business meeting, CPD groups and reflective practice. There is also a dedicated Assistant Psychologists group who meet monthly.

Please note that you will be required to successfully complete an Enhanced Level 1 Vetting with HMPPS/Ministry of Justice in order to access the HMPPS systems. Enhanced Level 1 clearance is valid for 5 years.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Supporting the Thames Valley Integrated OPD Pathway Service in undertaking case identification and the appropriate triage of high risk, high need people on the Probation caseload
Facilitating case consultations with Probation Officers and developing psychological formulations under supervision.
Delivering psychosocial interventions to the Enhanced Intensive Intervention & Risk Management Service (EIIRMS) users, with multi-disciplinary and multi-agency team members.
Supporting the evaluation and governance of the service by assisting in clinically related administration, the collection and reporting of data for commissioning and other such quality improvement needs.
Participating in activities of the wider forensic psychology team e.g. continuing professional development opportunities.

Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties.

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology

Desirable

Post-graduate training relevant in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
High degree of organisational skills, ability to adjust priorities
Presentation, training and facilitation skills

Desirable

Knowledge of Criminal Justice System structure and procedures
Experience of audit procedures

Experience

Essential

Previous experience as an Assistant Psychologist.
Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.

Desirable

Experience of working in forensic settings or with people with offending histories
Experience of working with difficult to engage populations, particularly individuals with interpersonal difficulties and/or diagnosed personality disorders

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology

Desirable

Post-graduate training relevant in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
High degree of organisational skills, ability to adjust priorities
Presentation, training and facilitation skills

Desirable

Knowledge of Criminal Justice System structure and procedures
Experience of audit procedures

Experience

Essential

Previous experience as an Assistant Psychologist.
Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.

Desirable

Experience of working in forensic settings or with people with offending histories
Experience of working with difficult to engage populations, particularly individuals with interpersonal difficulties and/or diagnosed personality disorders

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

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Oxford Probation Office and Slough or Reading Probation Office

Oxford, Slough, Reading

OX1 1BN

Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Oxford Probation Office and Slough or Reading Probation Office

Oxford, Slough, Reading

OX1 1BN

Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)