Overview
To provide a comprehensive, specialist clinical psychology service to those under the care of CNWL, specifically to men on the Mental Health Day Unit. To provide specialist psychological assessment and therapy, and to offer advice and consultation on psychological care to other members of the clinical team. To support the Mental Health Day Unit and to provide clinical psychology to men on this unit. To support the mental health team with complex cases and to support the Mental Health & Psychology Lead in service improvement. To work autonomously within professional guidelines and the service policies and procedures. To utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development and research within the Health and Justice Directorate. To provide clinical supervision to other members of the team when appropriate.
Responsibilities
* Source and utilise appropriate evidence-based psychologically informed assessment tools, including self-rating, rating scales, structured and semi-structured interviews, and provide training on their use within the multidisciplinary team.
* Provide specialist psychological assessments to men in the Prison and on the Mental Health Day Unit, incorporating interpretation of complex data from diverse sources.
* Develop individual psychological formulations and lead team formulations; develop and utilise a range of psychological interventions to support understanding and management of prisoners, especially within the CAU.
* Formulate and implement plans for psychological treatment and/or management of service users’ mental health and personality problems, using evidence-based models.
* Contribute to development and articulation of best practice in psychology across the service; participate in supervision and appraisal and stay updated with current developments in clinical and forensic psychology.
* Maintain high standards of clinical record keeping, data entry, reporting, and professional self-governance in line with BPS codes of practice and Trust policies.
* Ensure knowledge of relevant legislation and policies affecting the patient group and mental health; consider issues of diversity in all professional activity.
* Engage service users in care decisions and empower their views to be incorporated into service development and improvement.
* Communicate with other counselling providers within the prison to ensure robust referral pathways and appropriate case division.
Qualifications and experience
Essential
* Doctoral-level training in clinical, forensic or clinical psychology, with expertise in psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more psychological therapies, and lifespan development psychology, equivalent to BPS accreditation.
* Post-qualification specialist training/experience in a specialist area of clinical practice relevant to this role.
* Minimum 50 hours of clinical supervision as a specialist clinical psychologist or as otherwise agreed by the Chief Psychologist.
* Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment across care settings (outpatient, community, primary care, inpatient).
* Experience with diverse client groups across the life course, including high-emotion and distressing situations, verbal abuse, and potential physical danger; multidisciplinary collaboration; and complex male presentations including trauma.
* Advanced knowledge and expertise in at least one specialist area of clinical practice (e.g., psychotherapy, neuropsychology, risk assessment, clinical supervision).
* Experience in secure environments and/or forensic mental health is desirable.
Desirable
* Experience in teaching, training, and representing psychology within multi-disciplinary care.
* Experience of working with complex men in a secure setting and knowledge of specialised psychological therapies for difficult-to-treat groups.
* Excellent report writing for varied audiences, including courts and purchasers of services.
Skills, knowledge, abilities
* Complex psychological assessment, intervention and management skills, with high concentration and data interpretation abilities.
* Strong communication skills, able to convey complex information to clients, families, carers and professionals.
* Ability to provide consultation to professional and non-professional groups.
* Doctoral-level knowledge of research methodology and data analysis relevant to clinical psychology.
* IT proficiency and ability to supervise junior staff and trainees; ability to teach using various media.
* Capability to uphold clinical governance and manage practice under emotive conditions; broad knowledge of offender mental health, personality disorders, and complex needs.
* Plan and organise clinical service provision to meet demand while maintaining high professional standards; commitment to CPD in forensic populations.
Details
Date posted: 12 September 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum (pro rata if P/T)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 333-D-HJ-1840-B
Location
HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes, MK4 4DA
About us
CNWL is committed to delivering patient-centered, safe and effective care across hospital, community and home settings. We value diversity and seek outstanding people to join our teams who will support patients, colleagues and the Trust. We offer opportunities for career development and leadership potential within a diverse range of mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more.
Employer details
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Address: HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes, MK4 4DA
Employer website: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and a DBS check will be required.
Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. For information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. Guidance on overseas criminal record checks is available on GOV.UK.
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
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