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- Tasks: Lead a dedicated team to support individuals with severe behavioral challenges in prisons.
- Company: Join BSMHFT, a diverse organization focused on mental health and offender support.
- Benefits: Enjoy training opportunities, career development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on lives while working collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience with personality disorders and challenging behaviors is essential.
- Other info: This role involves working across two prison locations, fostering resilience and empathy.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
A new and exciting opportunity has arisen within Secure Care and Offender Health division of BSMHFT to work within the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway Enhanced Support Services (ESS) across HMP Foston Hall (Derby) and HMP Drake Hall (Stafford). The ESS aims to reduce the negative impact of violent and disruptive behaviour in prisons using a small but dedicated multi-disciplinary staff team that works in partnership across prison, healthcare and psychology. The service targets the small minority of people in prison who demonstrate severe and persistent violent and disruptive behaviour, including harm to self that has not responded to existing strategies and interventions. The team will work intensively with people in prison in a collaborative manner to develop motivation to facilitate better settlement, improved psychological wellbeing and in the long term, access to sentence planning services. The team will work indirectly with staff to increase understanding and appropriate
management of these people from a psychologically informed perspective.
The successful candidate will be joining a large and diverse psychological therapies team within the division, consisting of clinical, forensic and counselling psychologists, arts therapists, specialist psychological practitioners and assistant psychologists. The division is committed to investing in staff and you will have opportunities for training, supervision and career development.
The postholder will work across HMP Foston Hall and Drake Hall, taking charge of the day-to-day management of the service. It will involve managing referrals into the service, undertaking clinical assessments and interventions as required and developing case formulations and support plans, in conjunction with other professionals involved. The successful candidate will need exceptional communication skills as well as an empathic and non-judgement attitude towards the individuals within the service and within the prison environment. You will also need to be resilient and be able to wok and make decisions in both an independent and collaborative manner. The successful candidate will have extensive experience of working with adults with personality disorder and challenging behaviour, in addition to those with other psychological difficulties, neurodiversity and complex needs and risks. An interest and experience of developing services will be an advantage. Leadership and service development
experience is desirable, as well as managing and supervising a range of other professionals.
If you are ready for the next stage of your career progression, and able to compassionately challenge systems and staff to be better, hold integrity and also connect with the people around them, we hope that you speak to us and apply.
HMP Foston Hall
Derby
DE65 5DN, HMP Foston Hall
Derby
DE65 5DN
Employer’s website
https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
For questions about the job, contact:
Consultant Forensic Psychologist
Karen Bailey
karen.bailey12@nhs.net
01213014531
Band 8b Principal Practitioner Psychologist - Enhanced Support Service employer: Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
+441213014531
karen.bailey12@nhs.net
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Band 8b Principal Practitioner Psychologist - Enhanced Support Service
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway and Enhanced Support Services. Understanding the specific challenges and strategies used in these services will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience working with individuals who have personality disorders and challenging behaviors. Be prepared to discuss specific cases or situations where you successfully managed complex needs and risks.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership and service development skills. Think of examples where you've led a team or contributed to service improvements, as this role involves managing referrals and developing support plans.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your communication style and how you build rapport with both clients and colleagues. This role requires exceptional communication skills, so be ready to provide examples of how you've effectively collaborated in a multidisciplinary team.
We think you need these skills to ace Band 8b Principal Practitioner Psychologist - Enhanced Support Service
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Band 8b Principal Practitioner Psychologist position. This will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your extensive experience working with adults with personality disorders and challenging behavior. Provide specific examples of your clinical assessments, interventions, and any leadership roles you've held.
Showcase Communication Skills: Given the importance of exceptional communication skills in this role, make sure to illustrate your ability to communicate effectively with both individuals in the service and multidisciplinary teams. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your empathic and non-judgmental approach.
Express Your Commitment to Development: Mention your interest in service development and your commitment to professional growth. Highlight any training or supervision experiences that showcase your dedication to improving psychological services and supporting colleagues.
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your extensive experience working with adults who have personality disorders and challenging behaviors. Highlight specific cases or interventions you've managed that demonstrate your skills and understanding of complex psychological needs.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Communication Skills
Since the role requires exceptional communication skills and an empathic attitude, practice articulating how you approach difficult conversations and build rapport with individuals in challenging environments. Share examples that illustrate your non-judgmental approach.
✨Discuss Leadership and Service Development
If you have experience in leadership or service development, be ready to discuss it. Talk about any initiatives you've led or contributed to that improved service delivery or team dynamics, especially in a multi-disciplinary setting.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your decision-making and resilience in high-pressure situations. Think through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them, emphasizing your collaborative approach.
