Assistant Psychologist

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
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 psychological understanding 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.
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:

- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
- Competitive pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health First Aiders
- Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)
- Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

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.