The post sits in the Forensic Psychological Services Department at Brockfield House, working with its multidisciplinary team. It delivers specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for inpatients with complex mental health, risk and forensic needs. The full‑time role covers low‑and‑medium‑secure wards for adult men and women, and newly qualified psychologists may be appointed at Band 7. Applicants need HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist and the specified professional and postgraduate psychology training.
What the job involves
- Assess forensic inpatients using psychological and neuropsychological tests, self‑report measures, rating scales, structured observations and interviews, and ensure assessment equipment is used safely
- Develop and implement evidence‑based psychological treatment and management plans using appropriate formulations
- Deliver specialist psychological interventions for individuals, families and groups across teams, adapting formulations and considering different explanatory models
- Evaluate treatment options in light of theoretical and therapeutic models and complex historical and developmental factors
What’s required
Qualifications
- Professional training in psychology
- HCPC‑accredited postgraduate training covering psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, neuropsychology, at least two distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology
Registration & licences
- HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist
Experience
- Experience working with varied client groups and problems across the full range of clinical severity, while maintaining professionalism amid distress, verbal abuse and threats of physical abuse
- Experience teaching and training mental health staff on working with offenders and/or adults with learning disabilities
- Experience applying psychology in different cultural contexts
- Experience providing clinical supervision to staff doing group and individual work with forensic mental health or forensic learning disability patients
Skills & knowledge
- Knowledge of forensic psychology models, including offending, risk assessment approaches such as Structured Professional Judgement, and offence‑related therapy
- Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with the clinical team and other professionals
- Teamwork, ability to inspire others and negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes
- Ability to work independently
- Confidence and approachability
Nice to have
- Experience administering and interpreting Structured Professional Judgement risk assessments, including HCR‑20, RSVP and SARA
- Experience initiating and actively contributing to service development
- Personal experience of mental health problems
What’s offered
- Training and continuing professional development opportunities
- Season ticket loans
- NHS staff discounts
- Annual leave buying and selling scheme
- Opportunity to work bank shifts in other areas
- Salary sacrifice schemes, including lease cars and Cycle to Work
- Option to request flexible working from the first day of employment
- Settling‑in guidance and a buddy programme for overseas staff
Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychologist - Forensic Psych Services employer: Bidvane
The Medical Centre is an exceptional employer for General Practitioners, offering a supportive work environment across two sites with a strong focus on patient-centred care. With flexible session options and a commitment to professional development, employees benefit from a collaborative team culture that values continuous learning and quality improvement. Located in a vibrant community, the practice provides unique opportunities to engage with diverse patient needs while enjoying the advantages of NHS pension and comprehensive employment benefits.
