We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Assistant Psychologist to join our Psychologically Informed Planned Environment (PIPE) team within a HMP Low Newton in Durham. This is a unique and rewarding role supporting the development of a safe, relational, and trauma-informed living environment for women with complex emotional needs and experiences of trauma.
You will work closely with the PIPE psychology team, prison staff, and partner agencies to help deliver psychologically informed approaches that strengthen relationships, support emotional regulation, and enhance residents' progression through the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway.
This role is ideal for someone interested in therapeutic environments, applied psychology in forensic settings, and working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
You will support the delivery of psychologically informed group work, community meetings, and structured sessions within the PIPE and will assist with the development and maintenance of a relational, enabling environment in line with PIPE quality standards.
The post holder will contribute to the assessment of residents' needs through structured tools, behavioural observations, and psychological formulation under supervision and will provide 1:1 structured support sessions, focusing on emotional regulation, problem-solving, and engagement.
The successful candidate will collect, record, and analyse data for service evaluation, outcome measures, and quality monitoring (e.g. PROMs, CROM, HONOS). You will support staff reflective practice sessions and contribute to staff training activities as directed by qualified psychology staff and participate actively in multidisciplinary meetings, case discussions, and risk management processes.
You will maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with NHS and prison policies, whilst working in a sensitive and trauma-informed manner, promoting dignity, empowerment, and safety for residents.
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care -our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.
10 August 2026
Agenda for change
Band 4
£28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum
Fixed term
12 months
Full-time
346-FMH-086-26
HMP Low Newton
Finchale Avenue
Durham
DH1 5YA
United Kingdom
You will be part of a supportive psychology team committed to improving outcomes for women with complex needs, trauma histories, and personality difficulties. We work collaboratively with HMPPS colleagues to create environments that promote growth, stability, and relational security.
Our service places high value on staff wellbeing, reflective practice, and ongoing professional development. You will receive regular clinical supervision, training opportunities, and access to a wider network of psychological services within the Trust.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academys Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.
This role is subject to Prison Vetting and the successful candidate must pass this before commencing employment. This includes a thorough review of personal information, including a criminal record check (both spent and unspent), a review of financial standing, and social media checks. Please note that vetting checks may also extend to family members and associates. You must also have resided in the UK for 3 years at the point of application. This will be considered as part of the shortlisting criteria and your application may be rejected if you do not meet this criteria.
You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. Sponsorship may be available for this role in specific circumstances in line with Home Office regulations, where applicants were granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the immigration rules in place before 22 July 2025, and have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then. We recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations - Guidance - GOV.UK
This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.
You will be part of a supportive psychology team committed to improving outcomes for women with complex needs, trauma histories, and personality difficulties. We work collaboratively with HMPPS colleagues to create environments that promote growth, stability, and relational security.
Our service places high value on staff wellbeing, reflective practice, and ongoing professional development. You will receive regular clinical supervision, training opportunities, and access to a wider network of psychological services within the Trust.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academys Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.
This role is subject to Prison Vetting and the successful candidate must pass this before commencing employment. This includes a thorough review of personal information, including a criminal record check (both spent and unspent), a review of financial standing, and social media checks. Please note that vetting checks may also extend to family members and associates. You must also have resided in the UK for 3 years at the point of application. This will be considered as part of the shortlisting criteria and your application may be rejected if you do not meet this criteria.
You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. Sponsorship may be available for this role in specific circumstances in line with Home Office regulations, where applicants were granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the immigration rules in place before 22 July 2025, and have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then. We recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations - Guidance - GOV.UK
This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.
- Degree in psychology.
- Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
- Resident of the UK for at least 3 years
- Post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
- Some experience of people using services in psychological, mental health and/or social care settings. This may include, for example, personal experience or supporting a family member to access services.
- Experience in discussing and responding to issues related to cultural diversity, intersectionality and inclusivity, including working with vulnerable groups (e.g. those for whom English is not their first language)
- Experience of communicating sensitive information
- Experience of work interacting with the public
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities
- An awareness of the application of psychology to health care
- Demonstrate an awareness of confidentiality within healthcare
- Awareness of the British Psychological Society Code of Conduct
- Awareness of systemic barriers to accessing psychological services/healthcare for minoritised communities
- Experience as a psychology assistant (paid or voluntary)
- Experience working with people with mental health distress, learning disabilities or neurodiversity (paid or voluntary)
- Experience of clinical audit, research or service evaluation.
- Experience using statistical software packages e.g. R Studio
- Experience of using psychometric assessments
- Awareness of increasing access to psychological services/healthcare for minoritised communities
- An ability to apply psychological knowledge to the population described in the job advert
- Degree in psychology.
- Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
- Resident of the UK for at least 3 years
- Post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
- Some experience of people using services in psychological, mental health and/or social care settings. This may include, for example, personal experience or supporting a family member to access services.
- Experience in discussing and responding to issues related to cultural diversity, intersectionality and inclusivity, including working with vulnerable groups (e.g. those for whom English is not their first language)
- Experience of communicating sensitive information
- Experience of work interacting with the public
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities
- An awareness of the application of psychology to health care
- Demonstrate an awareness of confidentiality within healthcare
- Awareness of the British Psychological Society Code of Conduct
- Awareness of systemic barriers to accessing psychological services/healthcare for minoritised communities
- Experience as a psychology assistant (paid or voluntary)
- Experience working with people with mental health distress, learning disabilities or neurodiversity (paid or voluntary)
- Experience of clinical audit, research or service evaluation.
- Experience using statistical software packages e.g. R Studio
- Experience of using psychometric assessments
- Awareness of increasing access to psychological services/healthcare for minoritised communities
- An ability to apply psychological knowledge to the population described in the job advert
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).
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).
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
HMP Low Newton
Finchale Avenue
Durham
DH1 5YA
United Kingdom
https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
HMP Low Newton
Finchale Avenue
Durham
DH1 5YA
United Kingdom
https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
