Overview
GMMH Health and Justice Services are looking to recruit a committed and compassionate Practitioner Psychologist or Cognitive Behavioural Therapist to work within the multi-disciplinary mental health team, which implements a stepped-care model of mental health and psychological care, within HMP Styal.
We are seeking a full-time HCPC registered psychologist or BABCP accredited High Intensity CBT therapist to join the integrated mental health team, working alongside other psychological professionals including PWP staff, specialist psychological therapists, Practitioner Psychologists and an Assistant Psychologist. The post holder will provide assessment, formulation and medium to longer-term psychological therapy, to individuals presenting with common mental health difficulties of varying complexity, for which CBT has been demonstrated to be clinically effective. They will work closely with other professionals to support responsive step-up and step-down provision across the stepped care model and contribute to the wider formulation and understanding of presenting distress, including attending multi professional meetings to share formulations, treatment plans and progress.
A prison environment can be a challenging place to work, we are seeking someone not only with strong clinical skills but also the ability 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
To complete detailed assessments, with the aim of developing collaborative, idiosyncratic formulations to understand an individual\'s mental health difficulties, emotional distress, complex personality presentations and trauma responses.
To deliver evidence-based psychological therapy (CBT) to individuals who are experiencing psychological distress, through the application of knowledge and skills in assessment, formulation and intervention acquired through training, ongoing CPD and clinical experience.
To implement a range of outcome measures to ensure ongoing evaluation of therapeutic delivery.
To manage own caseload with support from the mental health psychology lead.
To contribute to the multi-professional understanding of service-user presentation and support the development of a psychologically and trauma informed environment for the services-users to reside within.
To co-facilitate cognitive-behavioural group interventions with support from other psychological staff, and evaluate effectiveness accordingly.
To take an active role in the process of multi-disciplinary risk assessment and risk management, utilising relevant assessment tools such as the CRASP.
To provide supervision to junior psychological staff, including Psychological Well-being Practitioners and Assistant Psychologists.
To contribute to the development and delivery of training to the mental health team and health partners, as well as for prison staff and other stakeholders.
About us
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7,000 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.
Details
Date posted: 29 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Reference number: 437-7548972
Job location: HMP Styal, Styal Road, Wilmslow, SK9 4HR
Job responsibilities
See attached detailed job description and person specification.
Staff benefits
* 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
* Excellent pension
* Cycle to work scheme
* Salary sacrifice car scheme
* Wellbeing programme
* Blue Light Card Discounts
Person Specification
Education Essential
* Qualification from High Intensity IAPT Course (Post Graduate Diploma) OR Equivalent: e.g. a recorded/registered doctoral level qualification in clinical or counselling psychology, or a recorded/registered qualification in nursing, social work, occupational therapy or a psychological therapy, plus further post graduate diploma qualification in CBT from a recognised or accredited training provider
* Significant experience working as a psychological therapy practitioner and demonstrating the competences as required
Desirable
* Training in an additional therapeutic modality
Experience Essential
* Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services
* Experience of working with clients presenting with Step 3 mental health need
* Demonstrates high standards in written communication
* Experience with routine outcome monitoring
* Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers
* Working with clients with additional relational needs and presenting distress
Desirable
* Working within MDT
* Experience of teaching and liaising with other professional groups
* Working within a specialist service
Skills & Abilities
* Have well developed communication skills to effectively communicate, often complex and sensitive information, orally and in writing.
* Have received training in assessing risk (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of their expected practice.
* Be able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
Other
* There is a frequent requirement to travel, mainly within the local area, to provide clinics. An occasional requirement to travel across the wider footprint of the Trust to attend meetings and events relevant to the role.
* An awareness of the diversity of the local population and a positive attitude to meeting the needs of different communities.
Disclosures and Registration
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. UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the National Health Service Careers website.
Additional information
Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here: Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Employer details: Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Address: HMP Styal, Styal Road, Wilmslow, SK9 4HR. Website: gmmh.nhs.uk
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