Job summary
Are you an experienced psychologist ready to offer leadership in forensic mental health in-patient services? We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Practitioner Psychologist with significant post-qualification experience in a forensic or secure setting and managing complex risk.
The successful applicant will join a group of friendly clinical and forensic psychologists within the in-patient team and be part of the broader divisional psychology team with community and prison based colleagues. You will support the professional development of colleagues through supervision and clinical leadership, whilst having access to your own regular specialist supervision and extensive CPD opportunities.
You will be responsible for the systematic provision of highly specialist psychological services to individuals with complex mental health needs and significant risk histories. Applications from those with specialist experience and further training relating to psychosis and personality disorder are particularly welcomed. The psychology team work in a range of therapy modalities so would welcome those with further training in and application of approaches such as EMDR, Schema Therapy, CAT, CFT and CBT with complex cases.
The successful applicant will provide expert consultation and guidance to multi-disciplinary teams (MDT), shaping a trauma-informed culture of care and promoting psychological thinking in order to support decision making at ward and service level.
Main duties of the job
Provide clinical leadership within in-patient services for the in-patient psychology team including supporting delivery of high-quality psychological services, promoting the role of psychology within the service and offering professional guidance and support to the psychology team to aid development.
Provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation, therapy and consultation into multi-disciplinary teams for individuals with a range of significant forensic histories and complex mental health needs utilising evidence-based practice.
Conduct complex psychological and forensic risk assessments (e.g., HCR-20, RSVP) to inform treatment and pathway planning.
Contributing to service development and service delivery, promoting a trauma informed approach within the service, supporting with workforce development in line with service need and contributing to a positive culture.
Drive quality improvement initiatives, audits, and research to ensure the service remains at the forefront of forensic mental health practice.
About us
We are an award winning and CQC rated good health and social care Trust delivering integrated services across Hull, East and North Yorkshire. Find out more on our website
We are a forward thinking and dynamic Trust with a real commitment to staff development. We value our colleagues and invest in them to ensure they have the right skills to deliver outstanding care.
We are proud to score above or equal to the average for all NHS People Promise theme areas demonstrating our commitment to improve the experience of working in the NHS for everyone. Wherever you work we know you will receive a warm welcome and all the support you'll need to get you started.
We recognise the positive value of diversity and promotes equality whilst challenging discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.
Work life balance is about having influence and flexibility over when, where and how you work. If the work pattern for this role does not meet your needs, we welcome an application and are happy to discuss working arrangements that differ from those advertised.
We offer a unique range of benefits that go above and beyond other NHS Trusts including an enhanced leave package and health and wellbeing support.
From city to countryside, market towns to moors you'll find a place to call home including some of the most affordable places to live in the UK.
Find out more and search live jobs.
Details
Date posted
20 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8b
Salary
£64,455 to £74,896 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
Job locations
Humber Centre for Forensic Psychiatry
Willerby Hill
Hull
HU10 6ED
Job description
Job responsibilities
To ensure the systematic development and provision of highly specialist psychological assessments and treatment within a clinical area/division, by providing strong, effective professional direction, ensuring the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions and practice.
To co-ordinate the planning and organisation of specialist psychological services within the locality area as agreed with the Clinical Lead/Operational Manager
To provide clinical supervision and to offer advice and consultation on service users psychological care and risk management to non-psychologist colleagues and to other non-professional carers.
To work alongside other teams and agencies providing expert consultancy regarding service provision for people accessing Trust services
To continue to demonstrate advanced psychological skills in practice and the delivery of the highest quality of care in collaboration with service users, carers, staff, managers and other agencies across a number of teams/geographical areas.
To take a lead in contributing/advising the psychological perspective in reviewing, developing and monitoring operational/clinical policy, proposing changes which may impact beyond own area of work
To utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development and research within the relative service area.
For further information regarding this vacancy please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To ensure the systematic development and provision of highly specialist psychological assessments and treatment within a clinical area/division, by providing strong, effective professional direction, ensuring the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions and practice.
To co-ordinate the planning and organisation of specialist psychological services within the locality area as agreed with the Clinical Lead/Operational Manager
To provide clinical supervision and to offer advice and consultation on service users psychological care and risk management to non-psychologist colleagues and to other non-professional carers.
To work alongside other teams and agencies providing expert consultancy regarding service provision for people accessing Trust services
To continue to demonstrate advanced psychological skills in practice and the delivery of the highest quality of care in collaboration with service users, carers, staff, managers and other agencies across a number of teams/geographical areas.
To take a lead in contributing/advising the psychological perspective in reviewing, developing and monitoring operational/clinical policy, proposing changes which may impact beyond own area of work
To utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development and research within the relative service area.
For further information regarding this vacancy please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
* Full understanding of relevant policy, legislation, drivers and their application to clinical and service area, e.g. Mental Capacity Act, Social Inclusion
* Work closely with and provide advanced/specialist advice and consultation to all other professionals within the speciality
* To take a senior clinical role in partnership with the clinical team in managing complex cases
Desirable
* Broadly based knowledge of the theory and practice of advanced psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnosis, people with disabilities etc.)
Experience
Essential
* Demonstrable experience of working as a practitioner psychologist, to include a significant period of working at a senior level in the specific specialist field where the post is held
* Evidence of promoting/supporting active service user/carer involvement/participation
Desirable
* Proven leadership/management experience, able to demonstrate examples of positive impact/change within service delivery/practice at an advanced level
* Experience of developing others through education, mentorship, coaching, teaching, assessing, presentations, publishing
Skills and Competencies
Essential
* Ability to lead and motivate staff to embrace change
* Ability to demonstrate ethical values and attitudes within a culture of equality and diversity
Desirable
* Able to demonstrate effective communication skills at all levels i.e. strategically and locally
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
* Full understanding of relevant policy, legislation, drivers and their application to clinical and service area, e.g. Mental Capacity Act, Social Inclusion
* Work closely with and provide advanced/specialist advice and consultation to all other professionals within the speciality
* To take a senior clinical role in partnership with the clinical team in managing complex cases
Desirable
* Broadly based knowledge of the theory and practice of advanced psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnosis, people with disabilities etc.)
Experience
Essential
* Demonstrable experience of working as a practitioner psychologist, to include a significant period of working at a senior level in the specific specialist field where the post is held
* Evidence of promoting/supporting active service user/carer involvement/participation
Desirable
* Proven leadership/management experience, able to demonstrate examples of positive impact/change within service delivery/practice at an advanced level
* Experience of developing others through education, mentorship, coaching, teaching, assessing, presentations, publishing
Skills and Competencies
Essential
* Ability to lead and motivate staff to embrace change
* Ability to demonstrate ethical values and attitudes within a culture of equality and diversity
Desirable
* Able to demonstrate effective communication skills at all levels i.e. strategically and locally
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
Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Humber Centre for Forensic Psychiatry
Willerby Hill
Hull
HU10 6ED
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Humber Centre for Forensic Psychiatry
Willerby Hill
Hull
HU10 6ED
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)