We are seeking an experienced Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychologist to lead the forensic directorate's Drug and Alcohol Service, which is a small, specialist, multidisciplinary team.
The forensic directorate provides multidisciplinary treatment for service users who are resident in East and North East London who require secure mental health services. We provide a comprehensive range of services including men’s medium secure, women’s medium secure, high dependency, men’s low secure, learning disabilities, autism spectrum conditions, and a large community forensic service. The Drug and Alcohol Service covers the entire directorate, affording a remarkable breadth of practice and experience to the successful candidate.
The post holder will lead the team, and be involved in and oversee all aspects of its work. They will provide leadership across the service on substance use and its treatment. The post holder will also be a senior member of the psychology department, holding associated leadership and management responsibilities there too.
• Clinical supervision, line management and leadership of the Drug and Alcohol Service multidisciplinary team
• Clinical supervision and line management of staff within the wider Psychology Department
• Developing close working relationships and liaison with external bodies including statutory and non-statutory substance use/addiction services in the community, National Probation Service, prisons and numerous other community partners
• Providing direct clinical assessment and intervention on an individual and group basis as well as consultation and training to staff within the Forensic Directorate
• Providing visible leadership and presence within the Forensic Directorate in relation to substance use
• Leading on Quality Improvement initiatives within the Forensic Directorate, involving other agencies, to improve outcomes for service users involved in substance use
• Contributing to the strategic development of therapies in the Forensic Directorate, by maintaining close operational links to the psychology department and other AHP leads.
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
DESIRABLE
HOW TESTED
TRAINING &
QUALIFICATIONS
Clinical
Postgraduate doctorate in Clinical, Counselling or Forensic Psychology, or equivalent qualification accreditedbytheBPSsuchasStatement ofEquivalence,leading toeligibilityfor Charteredstatusordependingontraining needs, may hold a professional qualification in psychology and be undertaking further training to complete requirements for Statement of Equivalence.
Evidence of CPD in accordance with BPS recommendations
Formal training in supervision of trainees
Breakaway training
Post qualification training in the area of substance misuse
A/ I
EXPERIENCE
Substantial post-qualification experience including experience in a forensic service and experience of specialising in dual diagnosis (substance misuse)
Experience of working with a wide variety of patient groups presenting with the full range of clinical severity in a range of settings including outpatient, community and inpatient settings
Experience of service development and evaluation
Experience of supervising and line managing more junior psychologist
Experience of project management
A/I
Experience of providing specialist psychological assessments and treatment interventions to patients with complex problems, including severe mental illness, personality disorder, substance misuse, offending behaviour and/or dual diagnosis.
Experience of teaching, training and/or professional and clinical supervision.
Experience of working in a multi cultural setting including working with interpreters
Significant experience of leading on Improvement work
Experience of recruitment and selection
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Additional relevant clinical and/or managerial knowledge and skills acquired through formal training, long or short courses, formal supervision (individual and/or group), structured self–study, or experience - or a combination of these - to an appropriate level approved by the Head of Psychology and demonstrated by certification, documented supervision logs, management appraisal documentation and /or assessment at interview.
Highly developed skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management, including the use of theoretical models to analyse information and to develop formulations upon which to base choice of treatment
Highly developed skills in the effective communication of complex and/or clinically sensitive information to a wide range of recipients in a range of setting within and outside the NHS including the ability to produce letters, reports and associated documentation appropriate to its readership and to overcome barriers to understanding and acceptance
Skills in planning and delivering psychological interventions in individual and group formats, adapted to meet the needs of the individual or group.
Skills in the practice of CBT and one other specialised psychological therapy appropriate to the treatment of patients with dual diagnosis and other complex needs.
Skills in providing advice and consultation to other professionals and carers.
Ability to plan, organise and prioritise own work
Knowledge of the legal framework in which forensic services operate and of other agencies and systems involved in the treatment/management and care of mentally disordered offenders
Ability to identify risk relevant to forensic work
Skills in risk assessment and risk management
Postgraduate level knowledge of research methodology including research design and complex statistical analysis and audit skills
Ability to plan and deliver teaching and training sessions
High level presentation skills
Awareness of diversity, and ability to provide a service that is appropriate to a diverse range of people.
Knowledge of team an organisational dynamics
Well-developed skills in one or more areas of specialist clinical or research interest including dual diagnosis.
Knowledge of local and national developments in dual diagnosis, psychology and the NHS
Competence in advanced IT packages
Ability to use multi-media presentation materials
A/I
OTHER
Ability to produce high quality professional results to specified deadlines and other time constraints
Ability to effectively manage verbal aggression and the risk of physical aggression from patients or carers
Ability to effectively manage frequent exposure to highly distressing/emotional circumstances
Ability to concentrate and remain in constrained positions for substantial periods during patient contact, teaching/supervision, learn meetings, preparation of written work etc.
Ability to recognise, contain and work with organisational personal stress
Ability to work creatively, co-operatively, reliably and consistently both as an independent practitioner and in multi-disciplinary and team settings
Respectful approach to patients, carers, colleagues, and others
Willingness to negotiate and ability to handle confrontation effectively and professionally
Ability to initiate and see through to completion, new projects and service development
Ability to establish and develop successful partnerships with partner agencies
A/I
This advert closes on Tuesday 18 Nov 2025