Overview
Are you interested in working with personality disorder and assisting teams to support women with complex needs? We are seeking a DBT therapist, psychologist or psychological therapist to join our 'Options' Offender Personality Disorder Team at HMP Downview (a female prison in Sutton, Surrey). Options is a treatment and support service running primarily modified forensic DBT Programmes, offering treatment for service users who have been identified on the Personality Disorder Pathway. We also offer 1:1 EMDR therapy, staff training, consultation and formulation services to probation and prison colleagues to support women safely through their sentence plan, in preparation for their move into the community. Service users report improvements in how they manage emotions and relationships.
You will have experience working within teams and in multi‑agency settings. Individual and/or group treatment experience within Personality Disorder or complex needs is essential; expertise in DBT is desirable (DBT training within the role can be provided). You will join an enthusiastic and committed team. The service is part of the national Offender Personality Disorder pathway and supports access to local and national training and networking. We are closely linked to the local mental health team.
Responsibilities
* Deliver Modified Forensic Dialectical Behavioural Therapy to women screened into the OPD pathway, including individual and group treatment.
* Attend and participate in weekly DBT consultation meetings and adhere to DBT principles.
* Develop individual formulations and apply theoretical models of psychology of mental health, personality disorder and offending to observed behaviour, cognitive, emotional and interpersonal patterns for service users with complex needs.
* Deliver individual and group therapy including outreach support and stabilisation with prisoners at HMP Downview as directed.
* Provide clinical supervision to the team\'s psychological therapists, assistant psychologists, trainees and other team members when appropriate.
* Work autonomously within professional guidelines and the service\'s policies and procedures.
About us
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is a Top Employer Award winner and works with partners to provide responsive primary care, mental health, intellectual disability and substance misuse services to diverse communities. Joining CNWL\'s Health & Justice Directorate means joining a large department of psychologists and psychological therapists providing mental health and OPD services across prisons, youth estates, secure hospitals and the community. Our staff are dynamic and welcoming; CPD opportunities are central to our ethos. We offer active research forums and support supervision, career progression and benefits such as onsite leisure facilities and parking at our Surrey sites.
Find out more about working within the psychological professions at CNWL and what Health & Justice staff say about working in our teams.
Details
Date posted: 29 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £53,751 to £60,651 a year pa inc. HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 333-D-HJ-1918
Job locations: HMP Downview, Sutton Lane, Sutton Surrey, SM2 5PD
Job responsibilities
Please see the job description and person specification for more details.
You can contact us with questions or to book an informal visit. For more information about our services and the Health & Justice Directorate, please visit the CNWL Health & Justice page on our website.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications — Essential
* Postgraduate qualification in DBT
* Relevant clinical qualification within health or social care with accreditation/registration and eligibility for membership of SfDBT or equivalent
* Postgraduate qualification in CBT
* Accredited membership of BABCP or equivalent
* Doctoral level training in clinical/forensic/counselling psychology or equivalent, including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more therapies and lifespan development (as accredited by BPS)
* HCPC Registered as a Practitioner Psychologist
Desirable — Essential
* Pre/post-qualification training in research methodology or staff training
* Training or qualification in risk assessment
* Completion of accredited DBT Training
Other — Essential
* Ability to work in a secure environment and obtain/maintain enhanced security clearance
Previous experience — Essential
* Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment across care settings
* Experience with diverse client groups and handling challenging/emotive situations professionally
* Experience in multidisciplinary settings and within a multicultural framework
Desirable
* Experience in personality disorder pathways
* Experience in a prison/forensic environment
* Experience of trauma‑informed care
Skills, knowledge and abilities — Essential
* Advanced psychological assessment and intervention skills with sustained concentration
* Strong communication skills for diverse audiences
* Ability to provide consultation to professionals and non‑professionals
* Understanding of the Women\'s Offender Personality Disorder Pathway
Desirable
* Knowledge of specialised therapies for difficult-to-treat groups
* Creative application of psychology to develop new initiatives
* Ability to write reports for varied audiences including courts
Disclosure and Sponsorship
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to check for any previous criminal convictions. Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK will be considered alongside all other applications. For more information, please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. Guidance on overseas criminal records checks is available in the related government guidance.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer details
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
HMP Downview, Sutton Lane, Sutton Surrey, SM2 5PD
Website: CNWL Health & Justice information not reproduced here.
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