Principal Clinical/ Counselling/ Forensic Psychologist
Closing date: 30 June 2026. This post is subject to security vetting. Applicants must have continuously resided in the UK for at least 3 years and be able to provide evidence of residency.
Role
The Specialist and Secured Care Delivery Pathway Integrated Substance Misuse Services (ISMS) Psychologist will lead the development and implementation of structured psychological pathways for substance misuse with comorbid trauma and mental health across the Secured Services care delivery pathway.
The role involves supporting recovery workers, engaging with the population using trauma‑informed, evidence‑based recovery, and providing opportunities for research and evaluation.
Main Duties
- Work closely with teams across prisons to develop staff competencies in working with people who use substances in prison.
- Train staff.
- Conduct research and evaluate interventions.
- Embed co‑production and service‑user involvement into services.
- Develop resources that are co‑produced and meet the needs of the population.
Job Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:
- Formulate and implement plans for the formal psychological treatment and/or management of clients' psychological problems, including developmental background, long‑term personality adaptations, interpersonal patterns of relating, service and diagnostic issues.
- Implement a range of psychological interventions for individuals and groups, within and across teams.
- Evaluate and decide on treatment options taking into account theoretical and therapeutic models and complex historical and developmental factors.
- Exercise autonomous professional responsibility for assessment, treatment and discharge of clients managed by psychologically based care plans.
- Provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to client formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Ensure that all members of the treating team have access to a psychologically based framework for understanding and care of clients through advice, consultation, and dissemination of research and theory.
- Communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, handling highly complex/sensitive information concerning assessment, formulation and treatment plans, and monitor and evaluate progress.
- Provide expertise, advice and support to facilitate effective and appropriate provision of psychological care by all treatment team members, especially where conflicting opinions exist.
- Provide formal and informal clinical advice and support to psychosocial substance misuse teams across several prisons.
Teaching, Training and Supervision:
- Receive regular clinical professional supervision from a Consultant Clinical/ Counselling Psychologist.
Experience
Qualifications
- Doctorate in Psychology
- Additional therapy qualification
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, which requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous criminal convictions.
Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
