Specialist Clinical/ Counselling/ Forensic Psychologist/ Psych TherapistinDartfordinDartfordPUBLISHED FRI 1 NOV 2024

We are delighted to offer a position in Inpatient Forensic Psychology, rated CQC Outstanding. You would hold responsibility for psychological therapies delivery to an acute medium secure ward at the Bracton Centre (DA2 7AF). You should have interests in working with psychosis and complex trauma where there is associated risk, often co-occurring with substance dependency, neurodevelopmental disorders and attachment difficulties. You will have opportunities to provide direct psychological assessments and interventions, engage with families and loved ones, and to work closely with nursing and the wider MDT. You will have input into cross-service psychological activities including groups. You will promote an environment in which therapeutic relationships facilitate safety and change, by offering psychological perspectives, emotional support and promoting psychological thinking in teams.

In addition, a significant aspect of the role is input to the community psychology service based at the William Morris Centre (DA2 7AF). This is a psychological assessment and intervention service specialising in working with people in the community seeking to address their difficulties with interpersonal functioning and risk of harm to others.

Oxleas operates a probationary period. We offer a relocation package. Information on request.

Further to the above, you will supervise and manage assistant psychologists, supervise psychological interventions delivered by MDT colleagues, and supervise psychology students and doctoral trainees.

The Forensic Psychological Therapies department in Oxleas provides a breadth of professional opportunities across community, prison and hospital settings and opportunities for research and career progression through ongoing professional development. The post holder will be encouraged to consolidate and develop their skills and clinical interests in a friendly and supportive multi-professional and multi-agency context. Aside from the stimulating clinical work, benefits of the post include monthly psychology teaching sessions, monthly peer supervision in addition to regular individual supervision, a range of CPD opportunities and opportunities for future career progression within the department. There is access to a network of specialist psychological supervision groups across the forensic directorate. Professionally, psychologists in Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust are highly valued and occupy a variety of directorate and Trust-wide leadership roles, including quality assurance, quality improvement, and operating as Responsible Clinicians.

We welcome applicants who are newly qualified or are approaching qualification who are enthusiastic and dedicated to working in this field, with or without prior experience in secure or forensic services.

About us

To clinically deliver psychological assessments and interventions to a caseload of inpatient and community service users.

To offer psychological advice and consultation to multi-disciplinary colleagues and other agencies that promotes patient, carer and staff safety and wellbeing.

With support from the Inpatient Psychology Lead and line manager, to promote psychological and trauma informed approaches to care.

Responsibility for supervising and professionally managing assistant psychologists.

Supervising and oversight of the supervision of trainees and students.

Enable all staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by contributing to a psychologically safe environment.

To undertake delegated tasks pertaining to governance and service developments relevant to the role.

To work autonomously with professional guidelines and the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures.

To utilise research skills for audit, research, and policy and service development within the forensic specialties directorate.

To champion the Trusts vision and values.

To focus on enabling all staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.