Job summary
We have an exciting part time (30 hours) opportunity for an experienced applied psychologist - fixed term (12 months) to undertake the Consultant Applied Psychologist - Clinical Lead role within the North East-wide Enhanced Reconnect Service.
The role involves leading a multidisciplinary team to support prison leavers with complex health needs in overcoming barriers to accessing healthcare services upon their release from custody. The post holder will work in both prison and community settings across the North East to support people in the final months of their sentence and up to a year post-release.
The model adopted by the Enhanced Reconnect service is psychologically-led, trauma-informed and neurodiverse. The service offers interventions, structured support, advocacy, signposting and engagement with community-based health and support services.
Main duties of the job
This role is in the Enhanced Reconnect Service, based at Lanchester Road Hospital and covering the whole of the North East. The service is one of four national pilots supporting prison leavers assessed as presenting high risk of harm with complex health needs linked with their offending. The service prioritises individuals convicted of terrorism-related offences and those identified as at risk of extremism. One of the national pilot objectives is to address health needs that if left unmet could lead to extremist behaviours. The postholder will work closely with probation/prison colleagues and will form excellent working relationships with health and care services across the area.
About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
Details
Date posted
04 November 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8c
Salary
£76,965 to £88,682 a year pro rata, per annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
346-FMH-126-25-A
Job locations
Lanchester Road Hospital
Lanchester Road
Durham
DH1 5RD
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
To provide the overarching leadership to the service ensuring a psychological, trauma-informed approach is adopted and lead on the delivery of this enhanced pathway of care. To provide assurance to senior management and commissioners on the quality of care that is provided. You will support senior management with liaison with Integrated Care Systems and Provider Collaboratives to ensure a smooth and planned journey through the care system. You will liaise and work closely with providers in prison establishments to support release planning that is relevant, accessible and appropriate for those in the Enhanced Reconnect cohort. You will oversee a referral pathway that allows stepping up and down to the Enhanced Reconnect service in line with the service specification, namely the 3 classifications of 1. National Security Division; 2. At Risk of Extremism; 3. Regional Probation Service identified as very high/high risk and complex.
You will offer specialist assessment and interventions for this complex group of individuals within the criminal justice system. You will support complex case management through coordinated interventions, support and risk management from multiple agencies (. health, criminal justice, local authorities, substance misuse, employment and voluntary sector organisations). The majority of this service will be delivered within local approved premises.
You will lead a multidisciplinary team and will work alongside and with health care navigators and peer support workers with Rethink Mental Illness and Humankind.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Post-graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS.
2. HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
3. Post-doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice
4. Trained in clinical supervision and the supervision of doctoral trainees
5. Trained in care co-ordination
6. Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
7. Registration with BPS
Experience
Essential
8. Must have substantial experience of: Working as a qualified applied psychologist within the designated service including a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and full range of clinical severity across the full range of care settings.
9. Exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care as a care co-ordinator and leader of a multidisciplinary team.
10. Liaison and joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies
11. Teaching, training, clinical supervision and field supervisor for doctoral theses.
12. Research and development
13. Project management of quality and service improvement initiatives
14. Must have experience of: Providing clinical and professional leadership to other qualified and non-qualified members of the profession.
15. Managing multi-agency service delivery models
Knowledge
Essential
16. Doctoral level knowledge of: Evidence- based practice relevant to the role
17. Risk assessment and risk management
18. Clinical governance
19. Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health and its implications for clinical practice.
20. Audit and research methodology
21. Social Inclusion agenda
22. Highly developed knowledge of: The care of difficult to treat groups. dual diagnoses, additional disabilities or severely challenging behaviour.
23. The Trust's Quality Improvement System.