Job summary
We are looking for an experienced Clinical or Forensic Psychologist to take on a pivotal leadership role within the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway - a unique collaboration between the NHS and His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service.
As Clinical Lead, you will shape psychologically informed services for high-risk individuals with complex personality difficulties, guiding a skilled team and influencing practice across the criminal justice services. This is a great opportunity to combine advanced clinical expertise with strategic leadership, service development, and supervision.
The OPD pathway is a psychologically-led, joint initiative between His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and NHS England for high risk offenders who experience a coexisting severe personality disorder. This post is to work as Clinical Lead for the Offender Personality Disorder CORE-OM pathway within probation and the IIRMS service. This will involve developing formulations and assisting probation staff in managing individuals who are presenting with challenging and risky behaviour due to personality difficulties. The post will involve training, supervision and consultancy for agencies working who are in contact with offenders within the Criminal Justice System and provide a psychological informed understanding of behaviour through formulation.
Main duties of the job
Working alongside a probation Operational Lead, the post-holder will be required to act as Clinical Lead for the team and provide line management and supervision to all clinical members of staff, as well as supporting the team to make clinical decision for the high risk clients.
To be responsible for the delivery of OPD services, ensuring adherence to model integrity outlined in national specifications for CORE-OM and Standard IIRMS.
To line manage and supervise qualified and unqualified healthcare staff, including qualified Psychologists, Senior Assistant Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatric Nurses.
Responsibility for quality and performance of the CORE-OM and IIRMS services, including overseeing completion of quarterly contract monitoring reports and attending commissioning meetings.
To work closely with operational managers and professional and operational leads to deliver a psychological assessment, intervention and risk management service within the services CPFT is commissioned to deliver
About us
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high-quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting andempowering them to lead a fulfilling life.
Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services, not only via inpatient and primary care settings, but also within the community. These services include children's, adult and older people's mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, research and development.
To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high-calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ communities.
Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.
Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.
For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at
Details
Date posted
23 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8b
Salary
£64,455 to £74,896 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
310-MASMH
Job locations
Cambridge Probation
27 Warkworth Street
Cambridge
CB1 1EG
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.
* To provide specialist psychological assessments of clients referred to the team based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of highly complex psychological data from a variety of sources including psychological and neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care.
* To formulate and implement plans for the formal psychological treatment and/or management of a clients psychological problems including developmental background, long term personality adaptations, interpersonal patterns of relating, service and diagnostic issues. These plans will be based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of the clients problems, and employing methods of proven efficacy, across the full range of care settings.
* To undertake clinical work to maintain HCPC registration, CPD and clinical skills, including 1-1 assessment and intervention, and/or groupwork
* To monitor and manage relevant key performance indicators for the specialty.
* To attend relevant meetings and forums to represent both psychological therapy and the service.
* To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to clients formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan.
* To ensure that all members of the treating team have access to a psychologically based framework for understanding and care of clients of the service, through the provision of advice and consultation and the dissemination of psychological research and theory.
* To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual clients and to provide general advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk assessment and management
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.
* To provide specialist psychological assessments of clients referred to the team based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of highly complex psychological data from a variety of sources including psychological and neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care.
* To formulate and implement plans for the formal psychological treatment and/or management of a clients psychological problems including developmental background, long term personality adaptations, interpersonal patterns of relating, service and diagnostic issues. These plans will be based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of the clients problems, and employing methods of proven efficacy, across the full range of care settings.
* To undertake clinical work to maintain HCPC registration, CPD and clinical skills, including 1-1 assessment and intervention, and/or groupwork
* To monitor and manage relevant key performance indicators for the specialty.
* To attend relevant meetings and forums to represent both psychological therapy and the service.
* To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to clients formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan.
* To ensure that all members of the treating team have access to a psychologically based framework for understanding and care of clients of the service, through the provision of advice and consultation and the dissemination of psychological research and theory.
* To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual clients and to provide general advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk assessment and management
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
* Doctoral level training in Clinical Psychology (D.ClinPsych) or Forensic Psychologist Chartership; including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct therapies and lifespan developmental psychology
* Post-doctoral training in one or more additional specialized areas of psychological practice.
* Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional body.
* Undertaken accredited training in the supervision of Trainee Psychologists.
Desirable
* Undertaken Post-Doctoral Psychological training relevant to the advertised post (e.g. Personality Disorder training, Risk Assessment training, Training with respect to Interventions for clients with Personality Disorders and/ or risk of harm to others).
* Specialised training related to Personality Disorders (e.g. Assessment and/ or Intervention).
Experience
Essential
* Experience of working as a Qualified Psychologist, at a specialist level, working within a Forensic/ Personality Disorder/ Mental Health Setting as a Senior Clinical/Forensic Psychologist.
* Experience of completing specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions across a range of care settings such as; outpatient, in-patient, community, primary care, forensic and residential settings.
* Experience of undertaking leadership roles
* Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course.
* Experience of work within a Multi-Disciplinary Team.
* Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for the delivery of psychological care and treatment
* Experience of the delivery of teaching, training and clinical supervision to others
* Experience of clinically supervising qualified psychological practitioners having completed the relevant training
Desirable
* Experience of working within a multicultural framework.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
* Knowledge of Psychological Theories and Models which relate to this client group.
* Specialist knowledge of working with this client group.
* Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and implications for both clinical practice and
* Knowledge of risk assessments relating to this client group.
* Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the HCPC.
* Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management, frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration in addition to the use of highly developed analytical and judgement skills.
* Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance
* Skills in providing consultation and supervision to other professional and non-professional groups
* Advanced IT and keyboard skills.
Physical Requirements
Essential
* Able to tolerate prolonged periods of sitting
Other
Essential
* Ability to contain and work with high levels of distress from clients.
* Ability to contain and work with organisational stress.
* Ability to exercise appropriate levels of self-care and to monitor own state, recognising when it is necessary to take active steps to maintain fitness to practice.
Desirable
* Ability to travel independently and in a timely manner across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to meet strict deadlines.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
* Doctoral level training in Clinical Psychology (D.ClinPsych) or Forensic Psychologist Chartership; including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct therapies and lifespan developmental psychology
* Post-doctoral training in one or more additional specialized areas of psychological practice.
* Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional body.
* Undertaken accredited training in the supervision of Trainee Psychologists.
Desirable
* Undertaken Post-Doctoral Psychological training relevant to the advertised post (e.g. Personality Disorder training, Risk Assessment training, Training with respect to Interventions for clients with Personality Disorders and/ or risk of harm to others).
* Specialised training related to Personality Disorders (e.g. Assessment and/ or Intervention).
Experience
Essential
* Experience of working as a Qualified Psychologist, at a specialist level, working within a Forensic/ Personality Disorder/ Mental Health Setting as a Senior Clinical/Forensic Psychologist.
* Experience of completing specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions across a range of care settings such as; outpatient, in-patient, community, primary care, forensic and residential settings.
* Experience of undertaking leadership roles
* Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course.
* Experience of work within a Multi-Disciplinary Team.
* Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for the delivery of psychological care and treatment
* Experience of the delivery of teaching, training and clinical supervision to others
* Experience of clinically supervising qualified psychological practitioners having completed the relevant training
Desirable
* Experience of working within a multicultural framework.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
* Knowledge of Psychological Theories and Models which relate to this client group.
* Specialist knowledge of working with this client group.
* Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and implications for both clinical practice and
* Knowledge of risk assessments relating to this client group.
* Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the HCPC.
* Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management, frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration in addition to the use of highly developed analytical and judgement skills.
* Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance
* Skills in providing consultation and supervision to other professional and non-professional groups
* Advanced IT and keyboard skills.
Physical Requirements
Essential
* Able to tolerate prolonged periods of sitting
Other
Essential
* Ability to contain and work with high levels of distress from clients.
* Ability to contain and work with organisational stress.
* Ability to exercise appropriate levels of self-care and to monitor own state, recognising when it is necessary to take active steps to maintain fitness to practice.
Desirable
* Ability to travel independently and in a timely manner across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to meet strict deadlines.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Cambridge Probation
27 Warkworth Street
Cambridge
CB1 1EG
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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Employer details
Employer name
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Cambridge Probation
27 Warkworth Street
Cambridge
CB1 1EG
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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