Oxford Health NHS Trust

Assistant Psychologist - Forensics - Milton Keynes and Aylesbury

The closing date is 30 September 2025

Job summary

Our Forensic Psychology department is recruiting for full-time Assistant Psychologist to join two of our services:

Marlborough House in Milton Keynes: 28-bedded male medium secure forensic unit. The unit comprises of 2 wards, an acute assessment ward and also a rehabilitation-focused ward.
Woodlands House: a men's low secure forensic unit situated adjacent to the Whiteleaf Centre in Aylesbury.

You'll be assisting with the planning and delivery of psychological interventions (group and individual); undertaking interview and psychometric assessments, assisting with the development of research and projects as well as teaching work.

You'll be responsible for ensuring the provision of a high quality psychological service, engaging with a challenging but rewarding population. There is an emphasis on close multi-disciplinary team working within a very supportive context. Staff support and working with families/carers are an important part of this role.

There will be opportunities to get involved in projects and research in order to contribute significantly to improving the quality of the psychological services that we provide. Our psychology department is proud of the diversity of therapeutic approaches utilised in our work, where supervision and continuing professional development is prioritised.

If you're looking for a role within Forensic Services where you can make a real difference to patient outcomes and therapeutic research, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

Assisting Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychologists in psychological input, including developing psychological formulations, interventions, and evaluations.
Carrying out structured risk assessments and neuropsychological assessments, as well as involvement in projects and research.
Undertake protocol-based psychological assessments of clients, including neuropsychologicaltests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semistructured 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 treatmentand/or management of a client's problems, including risk of violence and protective factors,under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in inpatient/residential settings.
Assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.
To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.

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

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

25 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum + RSU allowance £1,446 per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-FS7481374

Job locations

Marlborough House

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD

Job description

Job responsibilities

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.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

How might you explain the trauma-informed care approach to service users or colleagues working in forensic settings?

Skills

Essential

Detail one brief intervention you have you used in a previous role that might be helpful in this role.

Behavioural

Essential

Describe a time you showed initiative in an assistant psychologist role.

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

How might you explain the trauma-informed care approach to service users or colleagues working in forensic settings?

Skills

Essential

Detail one brief intervention you have you used in a previous role that might be helpful in this role.

Behavioural

Essential

Describe a time you showed initiative in an assistant psychologist role.

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.