Job overview
Health and Justice Services part of GMMH Specialist Service Care Group are looking to recruit a Senior Assistant psychologist to work within the integrated mental health team at HMP Buckley Hall, which is a male category C prison in Rochdale.
We are seeking a full-time Band 5 Assistant psychologist to support the delivery of the psychological provision, utilising a stepped care approach, with service users presenting to the mental health team. The post holder will work closely with the current psychological professions staff, which include Practitioner psychologists and a PWP. The post holder will be an integrative part of the wider MDT which includes Mental Health Nurses, Psychiatrists, Advanced Clinical Practitioners and Health and Well-Being Practitioners.
The Senior Assistant psychologist will be expected to support the completion of psychological mental health assessments and co-create individualised formulations and actions plans. As a Senior Assistant psychologist, the post holder will be expected to provide individual intervention at the stepped 2 and 3 delivery of care and co-facilitate group interventions.
Working within a prison environment can be a challenging place to work, we are seeking someone with strong clinical and interpersonal skills who are able to manage and respond to the dynamic needs of the team, the client group and the environment, to ensure that provision is accessible and appropriate.
Main duties of the job
Health and Justice Services part of GMMH Specialist Service Care Group are looking to recruit a Senior Assistant psychologist to work within the integrated mental health team at HMP Buckley Hall, which is a male category C prison in Rochdale.
We are seeking a full-time Band 5 Assistant psychologist to support the delivery of the psychological provision, utilising a stepped care approach, with service users presenting to the mental health team. The post holder will work closely with the current psychological professions staff, which include Practitioner psychologists and a PWP. The post holder will be an integrative part of the wider MDT which includes Mental Health Nurses, Psychiatrists, Advanced Clinical Practitioners and Health and Well-Being Practitioners.
The Senior Assistant psychologist will be expected to support the completion of psychological mental health assessments and co-create individualised formulations and actions plans. As a Senior Assistant psychologist, the post holder will be expected to provide individual intervention at the stepped 2 and 3 delivery of care and co-facilitate group interventions.
Working within a prison environment can be a challenging place to work, we are seeking someone with strong clinical and interpersonal skills who are able to manage and respond to the dynamic needs of the team, the client group and the environment, to ensure that provision is accessible and appropriate.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification
Staff benefits
1. 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
2. Excellent pension
3. Cycle to work scheme
4. Salary sacrifice car scheme
5. Wellbeing programme
6. fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
7. Honours degree in Psychology (2:1 minimum).
Desirable criteria
8. Additional training in clinical delivery methods, such as risk assessments or therapeutic intervention
training
Essential criteria
9. Eligibility for Graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS). We are unable to shortlist any applicant who does not clearly state this on their application form.
Desirable criteria
10. Post-graduate training in a relevant area of psychology
Experience
Essential criteria
11. At least two years post-degree experience.
Desirable criteria
12. Experience of administering and contributing to psychological and neurological assessments for example, WAIS, ABAS.
Experience
Essential criteria
13. Previous experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist or similar role within psychological services
Desirable criteria
14. Experience of working within a custodial, secure or inpatient environment. Experience of working with an offending population.
Experience
Essential criteria
15. Clear evidence of conducting assessment and intervention. Delivery of group and/or individual work
Desirable criteria
16. Awareness of the diverse needs of individuals accessing mental health support
Knowledge
Essential criteria
17. Knowledge and awareness of the factors that contribute to offending behaviour, complex emotional and relational needs and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Desirable criteria
18. Awareness of stepped care approach to mental health care and provision.
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.