Overview
We are looking for a highly skilled, compassionate, experienced Clinical, Forensic or Counselling Psychologist to join us in Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Low Secure Services, which form part of the Rehabilitation and High Support (RHS) Care hub. The post will suit an enthusiastic Psychologist with an interest in developing skills across a wide range of therapeutic approaches and consultation skills, combined with a desire to work within a low secure setting.
Prospect Place is part of the Rehabilitation and High Support Care Hub in Pennine Care. Prospect Place is a 45-bed low secure unit that opened in 2011 and is based on the site of Birch Hill Hospital in Rochdale. The unit is for men aged 18 to 65 years, who have a diagnosed psychotic disorder, and have been detained under the Mental Health Act. Alcohol and drug misuse are often a part of the problems faced by patients. A secure setting may be required to help address challenges around the patient\'s view of their illness and the vulnerabilities and risks to themselves and others that may result from this.
There is free parking at Birch Hill Hospital site and allocated office space. We would welcome applications for flexible working patterns.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for the promotion and management of high-quality psychology input at Prospect Place. The post holder will be part of a respected psychology team that includes a Principal Forensic Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Forensic Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists. They will work as part of a wider team of other Psychologists within RHS. Supervision will be provided by the Consultant Clinical Psychologist/ Clinical Lead in RHS.
The post will require you to provide psychological assessment, formulation and intervention to service users who present with complex mental health problems, including psychosis, alongside a possible history of trauma, substance misuse and forensic histories. The post holder will provide direct face-to-face clinical sessions and support the psychosocial intervention work of colleagues. The post-holder will support the ongoing work in RHS on trauma informed care and reducing restrictive practices.
The post holder would be joining the MDT at Prospect Place. You will be expected to attend MDT meetings and to facilitate regular reflective groups to offer the MDT reflective space, develop psychological formulations and provide bespoke training. In addition, you will provide one-to-one clinical supervision to Psychologists and other members of the MDT as appropriate. The post will require you to be involved in service developments, Quality Improvement projects and governance within the service as required.
About us
We support staff to work flexibly and recognise and respect the roles our colleagues hold outside of their working hours.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the top of our agenda. We believe that a diverse, inclusive and engaged culture is vital; that everyone\'s value should be recognised and respected.
We proactively challenge injustices, and are the only Trust in the North West to publicly recognise our commitment to becoming anti-racist and supporting our transgender and non-binary colleagues. We also have thriving staff networks to make sure everyone has a voice.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We\'re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we\'re a great place to work.
We are committed to staff development through shared learning, training and peer supervision. We are working hard in the Rehabilitation and High Support Care Hub to reduce restrictive practices, and to provide trauma-informed care.
Our trust values are:
Kindness
Fairness
Ingenuity
Determination
Details
Date posted: 04 September 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8b
Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year pa
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 311-F824-25-A
Job locations: Prospect Place, Birch Hill Hospital, Birch Road, Rochdale, OL12 9QB
Job description and responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification to support your application for this post. Please refer to the essential criteria in the person specification which will highlight the skills, knowledge and experience you will need to demonstrate in your application, by way of example, to give yourself the best opportunity to be shortlisted.
For further details, discussion or to arrange an informal visit please contact Dr Louisa McNair, Consultant Clinical Psychologist on 07917 503634 or louisa.mcnair@nhs.net
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
* Doctoral level training in clinical psychology (including specific models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychological assessments, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan development psychology as accredited by the BPS) or postgraduate training in Forensic Psychology or Counselling Psychology
* Current registration as a Clinical, Forensic or Counselling Psychologist with the HCPC
Desirable: Further post-qualification training within psychological therapies (e.g., DBT, CBT, CAT, CFT, MBT etc)
Experience
* Demonstrable post-qualification experience of specialist assessment and treatment of adult clients and those with psychological difficulties in an inpatient setting.
* Demonstrable post-qualification experience of working with complex mental health problems, including distressing psychosis, problems associated with complex relational and emotional needs, and severe depression, anxiety and trauma.
* Demonstrable experience of working with people experiencing a suicidal crisis
* Demonstrable experience of working within inpatient adult multidisciplinary teams.
* Experience of clinical leadership within a previous role
* Demonstrable experience of providing clinical supervision to psychologists, psychological practitioners or other core health professions
* Demonstratable experience of providing teaching/training upon clinical interventions.
* Demonstratable experience of managing demand for psychological services within a form of stepped-care framework
Desirable: Experience of clinical leadership; ability to demonstrate further specialist clinical experience and training; experience of audit and service evaluation within psychological therapy services; research experience within an area relevant to work within an adult service; application of psychological therapy in diverse cultural and ethnic contexts
Knowledge
* Understanding of national and regional legislation, guidance and policy directives related to psychological therapies within inpatient services.
* Evidence of post-qualification CPD as recommended by HCPC/BPS or other professional body.
* Up-to-date knowledge of needs of people with complex mental health problems and psychological approaches to recovery.
* Awareness of trauma-informed care principles.
* Familiarity with computing technology, including word processing, email and internet software.
Desirable: Well-developed knowledge of theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for adults with complex mental health problems; publication of training, service evaluation, clinical audit and research material
Skills and abilities
* Ability to engage with service users, carers and families to provide appropriate psychological support and intervention
* Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups
* Effective communication skills for sharing complex information with service users, families, carers and colleagues
* Ability to prioritise work, manage waiting lists, meet deadlines and adapt to changing patterns
* Ability to sit for assessments and therapy sessions and for computer work
* Autonomy in a collaborative multi-disciplinary environment and as a lone worker in potentially challenging situations
* Ability to sustain intense concentration for assessments and therapy sessions
* Ability to communicate sensitive information effectively in emotive environments
* Ability to identify and promote support to staff and carers exposed to distressing situations
* Ability to apply clinical governance to maintain practice under emotive material
Desirable: Ability to teach and train others using multi-media materials; area of special interest/skill in therapeutic intervention; ability to move equipment between settings
Work-related circumstances
* Use of a car or access to mobility to travel across the Trust footprint
* Willing to comply with Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
* Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure
Disclosures
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure submission is required.
Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. For more information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers website for details.
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