Overview
Clinical/Forensic/Counselling Psychologist OPD Pathway - SOLAR Service at HMP North Sea Camp, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. HCPC Registered psychologist to work as part of the SOLAR Service within the OPD Pathway in open prisons. The SOLAR service is one of 5 Pathways Enhanced Resettlement (PERS) services that support individuals likely to have difficulties transitioning from closed to open conditions or to the community due to problematic personality traits.
Main duties
* Work as part of a small team with prison officers to deliver, develop and jointly lead the PERS model, including keywork, emotional containment, and provision of psychologically informed activities/groups for individuals at risk of recall due to personality traits.
* Identify and assess suitability for the service following screening; engage individuals in keywork; contribute to survival plans/formulations and psychologically informed management of anticipated hurdles.
* Provide supervision and consultancy to the team and other prison departments to develop skills and confidence in SOLAR work.
* Provide clinical leadership to NHS and Prison staff to develop and deliver the SOLAR Service, delivering the PERS model for trauma and personality disorder-related difficulties.
* Contribute to multi-disciplinary discussions and decision making; engage in supervision and reflective practice both personally and for team members.
* Collaborate with Custodial Manager, Head of Function, and commissioners for performance review, audits, outcome data, and service development; promote psychologically informed practices within the prison environment.
* Work with the Consultant Clinical Psychologist to develop the SOLAR service and collaborate with other OPD pathway clinical leads and national/regional OPD teams.
* Note: Applicants will pay for their DBS check; costs deducted from salary over the first 2 months. Enrolment in the DBS Update Service is encouraged.
Qualifications and experience
* Essential
o Honours degree in Psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
o Doctorate in Clinical or Forensic or Counselling Psychology; eligible for chartered status as a Clinical, Forensic, or Counselling Psychologist; registered with HCPC as a practitioner Psychologist.
o Post-qualification specialist training in a forensic/clinical/counselling practice area; case formulation training.
o Evidence of experience in clinical/forensic/counselling psychology, service evaluation and research; experience providing clinical supervision and reflective practice.
* Desirable
o Further specialist training in mental health, personality disorder, risk assessment and management; schema therapy/EMDR/DBT/RO-DBT; experience with offending and complex trauma histories; knowledge of specialist treatments (e.g., EMDR, Schema therapy).
Knowledge and skills
* Specialist knowledge of assessment, management and treatment models for Personality Disorder and complex trauma; awareness of criminal justice processes and secure environments; service evaluation and data analysis.
* Strong skills in complex psychological assessment, intervention, and management related to PD and trauma-informed approaches; ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team; formulation, teaching, and supervisory capabilities.
* Desirable: research skills.
Other requirements
* Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check required; DBS costs deducted from salary; DBS Update Service encouraged.
* UK registration: current UK professional registration (HCPC) required; sponsorship information available as per UK Visas and Immigration guidance.
Employment details
* Employer: Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
* Location: HMP North Sea Camp, Cropper’s Lane, Boston, PE22 0QX
* Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 per annum
* Band: 8a
* Contract: Permanent; Working pattern: Full-time
Dates and posting details: Date posted 08 September 2025. Job reference 186-1113-25-FS.
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