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Oxford Health NHS Trust

Assistant Psychologist

The closing date is 24 July 2025

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Job summary

Do you want to work with forensic mental health service users to help reduce the length of their admissions and support them to successfully transition into the community? Are you creative and passionate about service development and trauma-informed care? We are recruiting for an Assistant Psychologist to to join our Specialist Forensic Community Team (SFCT) across Thames Valley (Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire), supporting forensic service users to transition from secure care into the community. Our service users have complex mental health difficulties, often including trauma histories. Transitions are particularly a time of anxiety for our service users who often have complex attachment needs and may have spent a significant length of time in secure care. The role is varied and involves a combination of direct client contact for assessments, formulation and interventions, including group and individual work, service evaluation and audit, as well as opportunities for joint, multidisciplinary, and multiagency working. There is scope for development within the role so would be an ideal opportunity for someone looking for professional growth. If you have previous experience in an assistant psychologist role with a 2:1 or higher in an undergraduate Psychology degree then we'd love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

  • Undertake protocol-based psychological assessments of clients, applying psychological, including neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client's care.
  • Assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a client's problems, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in both community and in-patient/residential settings.
  • Assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the Thames Valley Forensic Mental Health Service, across all settings where care takes place.
  • To liaise with other agencies and services as appropriate to enhance the psychologicalunderstanding and support of the SCFT's service users in the community.
Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties. This role is based in Oxford and requires travel across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire to support clients. Applicants must have a full valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work. Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required. Interviews for this role will be held at the Oxford Clinic in Littlemore on Thursday 7 August.

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

Details

Date posted

21 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum | pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-FS7329476

Job locations

Oxford Clinic, Littlemore Mental Health Centre

Sandford Road

Oxford

OX4 4XN


Job description

Job responsibilities

You'll be part of a large forensic psychology department which is proud of its diversity of approach and values difference. We are strongly committed to maintaining a culture of sharing and connection within the department and, as such, have monthly department meetings, reflective practice, and CPD groups. The SCFT consists of a growing number of staff from different disciplines. The SCFT model of care emphasises the importance of good multidisciplinary team working for the benefit of the service users, as well as feelings of satisfaction in the team. This service provides intensive in-reach support to inpatients helping them prepare for and navigate their discharges and safely settle into life in the community. We also provide support to other services, such as housing providers and local Community Mental Health Teams, so that our service users can increasingly access non-forensic provision and transition into primary or secondary care. We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application. The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You'll be part of a large forensic psychology department which is proud of its diversity of approach and values difference. We are strongly committed to maintaining a culture of sharing and connection within the department and, as such, have monthly department meetings, reflective practice, and CPD groups. The SCFT consists of a growing number of staff from different disciplines. The SCFT model of care emphasises the importance of good multidisciplinary team working for the benefit of the service users, as well as feelings of satisfaction in the team. This service provides intensive in-reach support to inpatients helping them prepare for and navigate their discharges and safely settle into life in the community. We also provide support to other services, such as housing providers and local Community Mental Health Teams, so that our service users can increasingly access non-forensic provision and transition into primary or secondary care. We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application. The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Upper second class honours degree (or above) in Psychology at Undergraduate level

Desirable

  • Additional postgraduate degrees e.g. MA, MSc, in relevant field.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in role as an Assistant Psychologist in any field

Desirable

  • Experience in forensic services, including forensic mental health, prisons, probation

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to engage with service users with complex mental health needs and risks
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Upper second class honours degree (or above) in Psychology at Undergraduate level

Desirable

  • Additional postgraduate degrees e.g. MA, MSc, in relevant field.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in role as an Assistant Psychologist in any field

Desirable

  • Experience in forensic services, including forensic mental health, prisons, probation

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to engage with service users with complex mental health needs and risks

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 Clinic, Littlemore Mental Health Centre

Sandford Road

Oxford

OX4 4XN


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Oxford Clinic, Littlemore Mental Health Centre

Sandford Road

Oxford

OX4 4XN


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Psychologist

Harriet Lawrence

harriet.lawrence@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

07760171266

Details

Date posted

21 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum | pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-FS7329476

Job locations

Oxford Clinic, Littlemore Mental Health Centre

Sandford Road

Oxford

OX4 4XN


Supporting documents

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