Are you a compassionate Psychologist with an interest in Forensic Mental Health?
We are seeking a highly motivated Band 7 Psychologist to join our Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway within Somerset's Forensic Services. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a psychologically-led, multi-agency service supporting individuals who present with high risk of harm and complex personality needs.
The OPD pathway is a joint initiative between His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and NHS England, providing specialist psychological formulation, consultation and intervention to support offender management and reduce risk of reoffending. The role also supports the Intensive Integrated Risk Management Service (IIRMS), delivering tailored, psychologically informed interventions within the community.
You will join a well-established and supportive team, with opportunities to contribute to service development, leadership, and innovation. The wider Forensic Service offers valuable collaborative working across community forensic teams, custody and court services, and low secure inpatient settings.
This role is ideal for a newly qualified Psychologist seeking their first post, with excellent progression opportunities towards a Band 8a role. Applications are also welcomed from self-funded forensic psychology trainees with relevant experience.
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Provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for individuals with complex mental health and forensic presentations
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Deliver psychologically informed risk assessment and management, using structured professional judgement approaches
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Offer consultation, advice and training to multi-agency partners including probation, police, courts and health services
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Develop collaborative care plans that balance therapeutic engagement with public protection
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Contribute to service evaluation, audit and outcome monitoring to inform ongoing improvement
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Work closely with the OPD/IIRMS team and wider Forensic Services to support integrated care pathways
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Provide clinical supervision and support to assistant psychologists and trainees
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Build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders across health, social care and criminal justice systems
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
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Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
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NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
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Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
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A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Please see attached job description for full details.
The Offender Personality Disorder Pathway is a joint NHS & National Probation Service (NPS) initiative providing psychological formulation and consultation to Probation staff working with offenders who have/or might have a Personality Disorder. The Intensive Integrated Risk Management Service is part of the OPD pathway and is a community-based service that delivers individually tailored and psychologically informed interventions directly to offenders. This aims to enhance the management of risk of serious harm to others, and risk of re-offending, through developing psychological well-being and social engagement.
IIRMS was commissioned in 2019 and is a developing service.
The post holder will act as clinical lead for OPD and IIRMS provide supervision to the OPD and IIRMS teams and offer consultation and direct clinical interventions. This role will take a lead in evaluating the services and working alongside partner agencies. This is expected to involve liaison with and reporting to commissioners from the National Probation Service and NHS England, as well as regular liaison with local partner agencies such as Probation and the voluntary Sector.
As a Senior Psychologist the post holder will provide leadership, line management and be responsible for the integrity and quality of the service delivery, as well as NHS clinical governance and operational delivery of the service.
Doctorate degree in Clinical or Forensic Psychology or Qualification as a Forensic Psychologist.
Further training/MSc in relevant area.
Experience of providing recognised psychological interventions to clients presenting of complex mental health problems and risk.
Work experience with Forensic Mental Health.
Experience of working with electronic patient record systems e.g, RiO.
Experience of recognised interventions applicable to this client group (e.g, DBT, CBT, EMDR).
Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the trust to meet the needs of the service.
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.
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.
