Job summary
The Enhanced Risk Assessment Team - an innovative team created in response to the need to find a more effective way of managing service users who may or have posed a risk to others - is entering an exciting new phase of growth and development, supported by significant investment from the Trust. We have been functioning for three years and each year, we have grown in not only the number of referrals and teams who access our support, but also in our methods and techniques.This newly created role will play a pivotal part in shaping the future direction of the service, ensuring that colleagues across the Trust are equipped with the expertise, resources, and confidence to work effectively with service users who may present, or have previously presented, a risk to others. You will work closely with the Clinical Lead to approve written reports, facilitate meetings with complex cases, lead on developing and facilitating our training programme, and take an active role in our research.
Main duties of the job
As a senior member of the team, the postholder will work closely with the Clinical Lead to provide leadership and oversight during this next stage of expansion. Key responsibilities will include:
- Quality Assurance and Oversight - supporting the Clinical Lead in editing, reviewing, and approving risk assessment reports to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency across the service.
- Training and Development - designing, delivering, and evaluating high-quality training programmes for colleagues across the Trust, embedding best practice in risk assessment and management.
- Research and Innovation - analysing service data, producing research outputs, and contributing to publications that evidence impact and drive continuous improvement.
- Consultancy and Support - offering expert advice and guidance to teams across the Trust, strengthening confidence and capability in managing complex cases.
- Leadership and Growth - modelling collaborative, inclusive leadership and supporting the team to embed a culture of learning, reflection, and innovation.
Additionally, there could be the opportunity to take up therapeutic work across the Forensic Service, including in the Primary Mental Health Treatment Requirement Team.
There is also the opportunity to get experience with supervision, dependent on the needs and interests of the post holder and the service.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.
Our family of over 4000 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.
The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Our Trust values are:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!
Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be?
Job description
Job responsibilities
Values and Culture Enhanced Risk Assessment Team
The Enhanced Risk Assessment Team is built on a foundation of personcentred, holistic practice. We recognise that risk cannot be understood in isolation, and our formulations always consider the individuals strengths, lived experience, culture, and background. By embedding inclusivity and diversity into every aspect of our work, we ensure that our assessments and recommendations are meaningful, respectful, and tailored to the unique needs of each service user.
We are committed to innovation as a driver of growth and improvement. The team actively seeks out new approaches, research, and methods that enhance our ability to support colleagues across the Trust. Creativity and curiosity are encouraged, ensuring that our work not only meets current needs but also anticipates future challenges.
Equally, we place a strong emphasis on compassion and collaboration. We support one another within the team and extend that same ethos to our colleagues across the Trust. Psychological safety, open communication, and mutual respect underpin our culture, enabling us to thrive even in complex and highpressure contexts.
Together, these values shape a team that is:
- Personcentred prioritising holistic, culturally informed formulations.
- Innovative embracing new ideas and evidence to continually improve practice.
- Compassionate fostering kindness, empathy, and support within the team and across the Trust.
- Collaborative working in partnership to strengthen confidence and capability in managing risk.
Key Relationships
The post holder will liaise with colleagues in Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT), Adult Care Services (ACS) and Hertfordshire external agencies. In addition, the post holder will work with colleagues across the forensic service to better develop integrated working relationships.
Person Specification Enhanced Risk Assessment Team (Leadership Role)
Essential Criteria
- Qualifications & Professional Registration
- Relevant professional qualification (e.g. psychology, nursing, social work, psychiatry) with current registration where applicable.
- Experience
- Significant experience in risk assessment and management within mental health or related services.
- Proven track record of leading or supporting service development, training, or consultancy.
- Experience of editing, reviewing, and assuring the quality of clinical or research reports.
- Demonstrated ability to analyse complex data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
- Knowledge & Skills
- In-depth understanding of risk assessment frameworks, safeguarding, and legal/ethical considerations.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and facilitate training programmes.
- Research literacy, including experience in producing publications or contributing to evidence-based practice.
- Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and services, providing expert consultancy and support.
- Leadership & Personal Attributes
- Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to motivate, support, and develop colleagues.
- Commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and strengths-based approaches in service delivery.
- High level of resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving in complex or high-pressure situations.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to balance strategic priorities and operational demands.
Desirable Criteria
- Qualifications
- Postgraduate qualification in risk assessment, forensic mental health, or related field.
- Experience
- Previous involvement in service evaluation, innovation, or Trust-wide improvement initiatives.
- Experience of publishing in peer-reviewed journals or presenting at conferences.
- Knowledge & Skills
- Advanced data analysis skills, including use of statistical software or research methodologies.
- Familiarity with financial or resource planning in service development contexts.
- Leadership & Personal Attributes
- Evidence of influencing organisational strategy or policy development.
- Ability to represent the Trust externally and build strong partnerships with stakeholders.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Values and Culture Enhanced Risk Assessment Team
The Enhanced Risk Assessment Team is built on a foundation of personcentred, holistic practice. We recognise that risk cannot be understood in isolation, and our formulations always consider the individuals strengths, lived experience, culture, and background. By embedding inclusivity and diversity into every aspect of our work, we ensure that our assessments and recommendations are meaningful, respectful, and tailored to the unique needs of each service user.
We are committed to innovation as a driver of growth and improvement. The team actively seeks out new approaches, research, and methods that enhance our ability to support colleagues across the Trust. Creativity and curiosity are encouraged, ensuring that our work not only meets current needs but also anticipates future challenges.
Equally, we place a strong emphasis on compassion and collaboration. We support one another within the team and extend that same ethos to our colleagues across the Trust. Psychological safety, open communication, and mutual respect underpin our culture, enabling us to thrive even in complex and highpressure contexts.
Together, these values shape a team that is:
- Personcentred prioritising holistic, culturally informed formulations.
- Innovative embracing new ideas and evidence to continually improve practice.
- Compassionate fostering kindness, empathy, and support within the team and across the Trust.
- Collaborative working in partnership to strengthen confidence and capability in managing risk.
Key Relationships
The post holder will liaise with colleagues in Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT), Adult Care Services (ACS) and Hertfordshire external agencies. In addition, the post holder will work with colleagues across the forensic service to better develop integrated working relationships.
Person Specification Enhanced Risk Assessment Team (Leadership Role)
Essential Criteria
- Qualifications & Professional Registration
- Relevant professional qualification (e.g. psychology, nursing, social work, psychiatry) with current registration where applicable.
- Experience
- Significant experience in risk assessment and management within mental health or related services.
- Proven track record of leading or supporting service development, training, or consultancy.
- Experience of editing, reviewing, and assuring the quality of clinical or research reports.
- Demonstrated ability to analyse complex data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
- Knowledge & Skills
- In-depth understanding of risk assessment frameworks, safeguarding, and legal/ethical considerations.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and facilitate training programmes.
- Research literacy, including experience in producing publications or contributing to evidence-based practice.
- Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and services, providing expert consultancy and support.
- Leadership & Personal Attributes
- Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to motivate, support, and develop colleagues.
- Commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and strengths-based approaches in service delivery.
- High level of resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving in complex or high-pressure situations.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to balance strategic priorities and operational demands.
Desirable Criteria
- Qualifications
- Postgraduate qualification in risk assessment, forensic mental health, or related field.
- Experience
- Previous involvement in service evaluation, innovation, or Trust-wide improvement initiatives.
- Experience of publishing in peer-reviewed journals or presenting at conferences.
- Knowledge & Skills
- Advanced data analysis skills, including use of statistical software or research methodologies.
- Familiarity with financial or resource planning in service development contexts.
- Leadership & Personal Attributes
- Evidence of influencing organisational strategy or policy development.
- Ability to represent the Trust externally and build strong partnerships with stakeholders.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist
- MSc in Forensic Psychology or equivalent experience
- Trained in use of HCR-20 or equivalent experience with risk assessment tools
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a forensic setting
- Experience of conducting risk assessments or creating risk management plans
- Experience of facilitating training courses or with presentations
- Experience of conducting, writing, or publishing research
Desirable
- Knowledge or experience of report writing and editing
- Experience of providing therapeutic intervention
- Experience of providing supervision
- Experience of working within the criminal justice system
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist
- MSc in Forensic Psychology or equivalent experience
- Trained in use of HCR-20 or equivalent experience with risk assessment tools
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a forensic setting
- Experience of conducting risk assessments or creating risk management plans
- Experience of facilitating training courses or with presentations
- Experience of conducting, writing, or publishing research
Desirable
- Knowledge or experience of report writing and editing
- Experience of providing therapeutic intervention
- Experience of providing supervision
- Experience of working within the criminal justice system
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
