Tees and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust.
Higher Assistant Psychologist
Closing date: 12 May 2026
We are searching for a committed and enthusiastic Higher Assistant Psychologist to join the Mental Health team at HMP Deerbolt.
The mental health team is committed to delivering high quality care to prisoners. The model of service delivery aims to provide timely, evidence-based and accessible mental health assessment and treatment to meet the needs of prisoners. The team includes a Mental Health Team Manager, Registered Mental Health Nurses, Registered Learning Disability Nurses, Psychological Wellbeing Therapists, a Counsellor, Speech and Language Therapist, a Highly Specialist Psychologist, a Higher Assistant Psychologist (HAP) and regular sessional input from a Psychiatrist.
This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, so please assess your eligibility before applying. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
Main duties of the job
The post within the mental health team provides a fantastic opportunity to develop clinically. Training is provided as well as weekly clinical supervision which may help with career progression. It will involve working alongside a full‑time psychologist and contributing to psychological assessment, formulation and intervention.
The post holder will join a multi‑disciplinary team working alongside members of prison operational staff. Experience of delivering therapies, either individually or within a group setting, is preferable. The successful post holder will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and preferably have some experience and or understanding of risk management in prison/forensic/hospital settings.
Job responsibilities
You must be motivated, possess excellent communication skills and the ability to work individually as well as part of a multi‑disciplinary team by undertaking work with service users, carers, family members and other agencies.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Degree in psychology
* Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
* Further post‑graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, youth work, work with offenders and/or research design and analysis
Experience
* Experience working as an assistant psychologist (or equivalent)
* Previous involvement in clinical audit, research or service evaluation
* Experience using statistical software packages e.g. SPSS
* Experience of using psychometric assessments
* Experience working with people using services in psychological, mental health and/or social care settings. This may include, for example, personal experience or supporting a family member to access services
* Experience of communicating sensitive information
* Experience of work interacting with the public
* Experience in discussing and responding to issues related to cultural diversity, intersectionality and inclusivity, including working with vulnerable groups (e.g. those for whom English is not their first language)
* Experience working in a multidisciplinary team
* Experience of increasing access to psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities
Skills
* Ability to relate therapeutically to the needs of clients and in a way that addresses psychological resistance
* Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service
* Utilise psychometric tests competently
* Statistical analysis
* Plan and organise effectively to meet required timescales
* Use approved breakaway techniques
* Ability to provide group interventions
Knowledge
* An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities
* An understanding of the application of psychology to health care
* Understanding of confidentiality
* Knowledge of the British Psychological Society Code of Conduct
* An ability to apply psychological knowledge to the population described in the job advert
* Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
* Awareness of systemic barriers to accessing psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
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