Assistant Psychologist

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Psychologist to join the Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT). Based in Bridgwater, this innovative service works across Somerset and the wider South West Provider Collaborative region to support individuals with complex forensic mental health needs and improve pathways into and out of secure care.

As an Assistant Psychologist, you will play a key role in supporting the delivery of psychologically informed, recovery-focused care. Working alongside experienced Psychologists and a multidisciplinary team, you will assist with psychological assessments, interventions, formulations, service evaluations, audits and research activities, helping to improve outcomes for service users with complex mental health presentations.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for a psychology graduate looking to develop clinical and forensic experience within a supportive and forward-thinking service.

Main duties of the job

• Support qualified Psychologists in delivering psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for individuals under the care of the Specialist Community Forensic Team and Ash Ward.
• Assist in administering and scoring psychological measures, risk assessments, rating scales and structured interviews.
• Develop therapeutic relationships with service users while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Contribute to the delivery of brief, planned psychological interventions under supervision.
• Gather, analyse and present data to support audits, service evaluations, quality improvement projects and research activities.
• Conduct literature searches and reviews to support evidence-based practice and service development.
• Assist in the development and delivery of psychology-based training and support for colleagues within the multidisciplinary team.
• Maintain accurate electronic records and clinical documentation in line with Trust policies and professional standards.
• Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary meetings and work collaboratively with a range of partner agencies and professionals.
• Use supervision effectively to support professional development and maintain high standards of practice.

About us

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:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• 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.

Job responsibilities

The Specialist Community Forensic Team is a newly commissioned service designed to enhance care for Somerset patients who are detained in secure hospitals and to support admission avoidance wherever possible. The service works collaboratively with health, social care and criminal justice partners to promote recovery, reduce unnecessary lengths of stay and support safe transitions back into the community.

As an Assistant Psychologist, you will support the psychology provision within the service, becoming an integral member of the multidisciplinary team. You will assist with the assessment and formulation of complex forensic mental health needs and help deliver psychologically informed interventions under the supervision of qualified Psychologists.

The role will involve working closely with service users, their families, carers and a wide range of professionals, including community and inpatient teams, criminal justice agencies, probation services, police, court staff and regional forensic services. You will be required to communicate complex psychological information in a clear and accessible manner and contribute to coordinated care planning.

You will also play an important role in supporting service development through research, audit and evaluation activities. This includes collecting and analysing data, preparing reports, reviewing current evidence and assisting with the implementation of service improvements.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate compassion, professionalism and resilience while working with individuals who may present with significant mental health difficulties, forensic histories and complex risk factors. The ability to work both independently and as part of a wider team is essential.