Band 7/8a Psychologist

Job summary

We are seeking a Clinical, Counselling or Forensic Psychologist (Band 8a) to join the Norfolk and Suffolk Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Service for 22.5 hours per week. Applications are also welcomed from experienced Band 7 Psychologists wishing to progress through a supported preceptorship pathway into the full Band 8a role.

This varied post spans two complementary services: the Core OPD Service and IIRMS (see descriptions below). The role combines consultation, training, reflective practice, formulation-led intervention and multi-agency collaboration. You will support professionals and services to develop psychologically informed approaches to risk, relationships and behaviour, while contributing to work with individuals presenting with complex emotional and interpersonal difficulties.

Whilst there is some opportunity for direct face-to-face work within the IIRMS service, much of the role involves influencing outcomes indirectly through consultation, formulation and support to professionals, teams and multi-agency systems.

The NSFT team base is at Northside House, Norwich. Attendance is typically required every other week, including Wednesdays when the team comes together for meetings, reflective practice and service development. The role also requires regular travel to probation, NHS and partner agency sites across Norfolk and Suffolk. Hybrid working can be supported where service needs allow.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work across two services:

Core OPD Service

The Core OPD Service works across Norfolk and Suffolk to enhance the knowledge, confidence and skills of probation practitioners and partner agencies when working with individuals who present with personality difficulties, complex trauma and significant offending-related risks. The service delivers consultation, training, reflective practice and formulation-informed support to help staff and systems respond effectively to complexity.

Intensive Intervention and Risk Management Service (IIRMS)

The Intensive Intervention and Risk Management Service (IIRMS) is a specialist, formulation-driven service supporting a small caseload of approximately 15 service users at any one time. The service works with individuals presenting with high levels of complexity, need and risk and provides intensive support through a "through the gate" approach, supporting people as they transition from custody into the community for up to two years. The service aims to improve engagement, wellbeing, stability and risk management through psychologically informed interventions and close multi-agency working.

About us

At Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, inclusion is at the heart of how we work. We are committed to creating a fair, transparent and accessible recruitment process where every candidate has the opportunity to succeed.

We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in our workforce, including those from the global majority. We recognise that not everyone has equal access to opportunities and are working to address this.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and ensuring all candidates receive a positive and equitable experience.

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Job responsibilities

Please see the generic job description for a Practitioner Psychologist. Key responsibilities specific to this role include:

• Deliver specialist psychological input across the Core OPD Service and Intensive Intervention and Risk Management Service (IIRMS).
• Provide psychological consultation, training, reflective practice and workforce development to probation practitioners, NHS staff and partner agencies across Norfolk and Suffolk.
• Undertake formulation of individuals presenting with complex emotional, interpersonal and behavioural difficulties, including those who have committed serious violent and sexual offences.
• Develop formulation-led intervention and support plans, providing consultation and guidance to professionals and services.
• Within IIRMS, provide psychologically informed support to service users, including pre-release work in prison and support during transition into the community.
• Contribute to multi-agency risk assessment, management and care planning.
• Promote psychologically informed practice and environments across probation and partner agencies.
• Provide supervision, consultation and line management responsibilities as appropriate.
• Contribute to service development, evaluation and quality improvement activities.
• Work collaboratively within a small multidisciplinary team, contributing to team functioning, staff wellbeing and psychological safety.
• Maintain high professional standards and evidence-based, trauma-informed practice.
• Travel regularly across Norfolk and Suffolk in line with service requirements.

As this post involves close partnership working with criminal justice services, successful applicants will be required to obtain HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) vetting clearance before commencing employment.

Please contact Rosie Rutherford (Clinical Lead Psychologist) on (apply through the link on this page) for an informal discussion about the post.

Please find attached our Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on your Key Accountabilities, then if you feel you have what it takes to make a difference in your local communities, click APPLY!