Job Summary
The Young Adult (YA) Project at HMP Bronzefield is an exciting and unique pilot project that has been set up in recognition of the increased levels of self-harm and violence amongst 18-25yr old women in custody. The project is one of two pilot projects in the UK that aims to deliver an enhanced level of support to this vulnerable group of YA's who typically present with complex and broad ranging needs.
The service is underpinned by a partnership between CNWL, Sodexo, and the Women's Estate Psychology Service, and it is shaped by trauma-informed principles, and recognises the pivotal importance of relational security and co-production. The clinical model adopts a holistic approach to assessment and care planning, and there is scope for ongoing development and flexibility in terms of service provision.
Main duties of the job
* To provide a comprehensive, specialist therapeutic service to young people at HMP/YOI Bronzefield.
* To provide specialist mental health and psychological assessment and therapy (as appropriate to professional training) as well as offering advice and consultation on young peoples care to other members of the proximal network.
* To coordinate and support the core support team in the process of multi-disciplinary collaborative formulation.
* To develop and facilitate a range of therapeutic groups including weekly community meetings.
* To supervise and oversee the work of assistant practitioners, students and graduate therapists.
* To work autonomously within professional guidelines and the overall framework of the services policies and procedures.
* To utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development and research within the Health & Justice Service Line.
* To provide clinical supervision to other members of the team or custodial service when appropriate, including in the event of a serious or significant incident.
About Us
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust offers its staff ongoing career progression through: Monthly supervision, Annual personal development plans/appraisals, Access to exciting internal and external training opportunities.
Excellent progression through various career pathway opportunities such as but not limited to: Support & guidance with Re-validation, Hidden Gem & annual award ceremonies.
Excellent staff benefits, our benefit packages are among the best in London: Health & well-being services, Season ticket loans, Cycle to work scheme.
Job Description
Job responsibilities:
* To offer training to prison staff and other professional colleagues around therapeutic skills, adolescent mental health and related issues.
* The service is set to offer a bespoke approach to the care & management of young adult women, including providing a 'step-down' approach to bridging the gap between then high level of support provided by the Youth Custody Service (YCS), Secure Children's Home (SCH) & adult custodial provision.
* To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to both the specific patient group and mental health.
* To provide reflective practice, training and support to custodial colleagues in their day-to-day management of young people.
* To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
* To undertake appropriate research and provide research advice to other staff undertaking research.
* To undertake project management, including complex audit and service evaluation, with colleagues to help develop service provision.
* To familiarise themselves with, and to comply with, the Trusts requirements on research governance.
Person Specification
Qualification:
Essential:
* A recognised professional post-graduate qualification in Systemic Therapy, Family Therapy, Arts Therapies, Psychotherapy or relevant core mental health professional therapeutic training.
* Degree in Psychology or a related field, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or equivalent professional body.
* HCPC/UKCP/SWE registration or similar bodies.
Desirable:
* Pre- or Post-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.
* Further training in a specific trauma therapy e.g. EMDR, NET, TF-CBT.
* Further training in reflective practice.
* Further training in forensic mental health or forensic psychology.
Experience:
Essential:
* Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in-patient settings.
* Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse.
* Experience of representing psychology or a given therapeutic discipline within the context of multi-disciplinary care.
* Experience/understanding of working with adolescents/young people.
Desirable:
* Experience of teaching and training.
* Experience of working within a secure setting, prison or hospital.
* Experience working with adolescents with complex needs.
* Experience of running reflective practice or staff groups.
* Experience of offering clinical supervision.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Essential:
* Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
* Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
* Skills in providing consultation to other professional and nonprofessional groups.
* Possesses range of clinical knowledge, skills & information technology expertise relevant to post.
* Broad knowledge of models of assessment, management and treatment of offenders with mental health difficulties.
Desirable:
* Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult-to-treat groups (e.g. people with additional disabilities).
* Can apply psychological knowledge creatively in developing new initiatives.
* Ability to write high quality reports for varied audiences, including courts and purchasers of services.
Attitudes, Aptitudes, Personal
Essential:
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Team player.
Candidates applying for any of our roles in Health and Justice Services will be subject to Prison Vetting Clearance. Which requires you to have been a resident in the UK for a minimum of 3 years. Candidates who do not meet this criteria need not apply.
Date posted: 30 September 2025.
Pay scheme: Agenda for change.
Band: Band 7.
Salary: £50,008 to £56,908 a year per annum incl. Fringe HCAS.
Contract: Permanent.
Working pattern: Part-time.
Reference number: 333-D-HJ-1866.
Job locations: HMP/YOI Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, TW15 3JZ.
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