Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a part time Mental Health Practitioner to work within the Therapies team at HMP Wormwood Scrubs.The post holder will work alongside a full time Mental Health Practitioner, and will be supported by therapy colleagues including Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language therapists. The Therapies Team a part of the prison's Mental Health Service, which consists of mental health nurses, psychiatrists and social workers.
Main duties of the job
The team are developing a diverse service for prisoners with high level support needs, including those with mental health difficulties, neurodivergence, trauma related disorders and physical health needs. There will be opportunity to facilitate assessments and provide input into a varied group program alongside other therapists, and to hold a caseload for 1:1 work, with individuals with moderate mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, stress and adjustment difficulties.
The successful candidate will support the team in the delivery of training and contribution to service improvement initiatives and evaluations. The post holder will contribute to risk assessment and management, working alongside partner agencies and prison colleagues to improve outcomes for those most at risk. Additional opportunities in supporting individuals with neurodivergence are available, since the Therapies team leads on the assessment of and provision of intervention for men with ADHD, ASD and Intellectual Disability.
The post holder will receive regular individual supervision to support their practice, as well as opportunities to engage in reflective practice groups with the wider mental health team. There is a strong emphasis within the team on support and training. Regular training opportunities are provided from services within the Prison, and the team also benefit from the provision of external training by specialists in relevant areas
About us
The successful candidate will be joining an energetic and enthusiastic team working towards improving activity and increasing well-being to a population that can be both challenging and highly rewarding to work with.
You can expect:
- A strong, progressive and supportive therapies team
- Regular managerial and professional supervision
- A commitment to evidence based practice
- Excellent opportunities for professional development
The successful candidate would start following interview, successful employment checks and prison vetting. Unfortunately, due to the prison's strict vetting requirements we are unable to accept applications from non-UK residents.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and person specification for a detailed description and main responsibilities for this post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and person specification for a detailed description and main responsibilities for this post.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A recognized core mental health qualification i.e. RMN/Dip SW/BSc Mental Health Nursing- NMC Registration. Or a BPS accredited Psychology BSc.
- Registration with appropriate professional body (HCPC, NMC, Social Work England, BPS)
Desirable
- Additional training in core profession such as nursing, social work counselling or within a specific evidenced-based psychological therapy (e.g. CBT, DBT).
- Masters/Diploma level qualification in Psychology or mental health-related subject
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of working with adults with a range of emotional concerns and mental health difficulties, using evidence-based approaches and routine outcome measures to evaluate work and develop collaborative care plans.
- Experience of screening, assessing and providing clinical interventions
- Risk assessment and risk management experience
- Experience in providing evidence-based interventions for people experiencing, mild to moderate anxiety, low mood, stress and adjustment difficulties.
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
Desirable
- Experience of working in prisons
- Experience of working in complex mental health settings i.e. a CMHT/crisis team/inpatient
- Experience in supporting service development
- Experience of teaching and training others
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A recognized core mental health qualification i.e. RMN/Dip SW/BSc Mental Health Nursing- NMC Registration. Or a BPS accredited Psychology BSc.
- Registration with appropriate professional body (HCPC, NMC, Social Work England, BPS)
Desirable
- Additional training in core profession such as nursing, social work counselling or within a specific evidenced-based psychological therapy (e.g. CBT, DBT).
- Masters/Diploma level qualification in Psychology or mental health-related subject
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of working with adults with a range of emotional concerns and mental health difficulties, using evidence-based approaches and routine outcome measures to evaluate work and develop collaborative care plans.
- Experience of screening, assessing and providing clinical interventions
- Risk assessment and risk management experience
- Experience in providing evidence-based interventions for people experiencing, mild to moderate anxiety, low mood, stress and adjustment difficulties.
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
Desirable
- Experience of working in prisons
- Experience of working in complex mental health settings i.e. a CMHT/crisis team/inpatient
- Experience in supporting service development
- Experience of teaching and training others
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).
