Assistant Psychologist HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes

Job Summary

To undertake projects relating to service development and evaluation. To set up databases and spreadsheets, using advanced IT skills in evaluation audit and research. To support assessment and treatment interventions appropriate to your level of competence and training. To undertake direct and indirect clinical work as required under live or regular supervision from a qualified applied HPC registered Psychologist. To plan, organise and co‑teach psycho‑educational courses and groups with appropriately qualified staff. To liaise with a range of services, including health, social care and voluntary agencies, relevant to the working area.

Main Duties

• Supporting and enhancing professional psychological practice within the service.


• Providing support, coordination and administration to clinical, training and research functions within your scope, undertaking related tasks to enhance assessment, intervention and evaluation.


• Working independently according to a plan agreed and reviewed through regular supervision by a qualified applied HPC registered Psychologist or Psychological Therapist.

About Us

We\'re passionate about delivering first‑class patient‑centred, safe and effective care, whether in a hospital, community clinic or patient’s home. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. We employ the best people and offer opportunities to develop careers across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders and learning disabilities.

Details

• Date posted: 25 November 2025


• Pay scheme: Agenda for change


• Band: Band 4


• Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 per annum


• Contract: Permanent


• Working pattern: Full‑time


• Reference number: 333‑D‑HJ‑1935


• Job location: HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes, MK4 4DA

Job Responsibilities

• Undertake assessments and interventions (e.g., neuro‑psychological tests, self‑report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi‑structured interviews) appropriate to your level of training, competence and under live or regular supervision from a qualified practitioner Psychologist.


• Assist in developing psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care for all clients.


• Formulate and deliver care, training or research plans within settings with hostile atmospheres, challenging behaviour or high levels of expressed emotion.


• Conduct literature searches, collate audit and outcome evidence, analyse relevant data and produce reports to inform and enhance care.


• Assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups, training or research projects.


• Compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk and crisis plans.


• Work with other team members to improve care, training and research practices and the quality of life of clients.


• Attend and contribute to multi‑disciplinary meetings.


• Support the delivery of evidence‑based psychological interventions for clients.


• Carry out other clinical and administrative tasks as appropriate to your grade.


• Stay up to date with de‑escalation, physical breakaway and PMVA techniques suitable to the service environment.

Person Specification – Essential Qualifications

• Honours degree (2:1 or above) in Psychology or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS.

Person Specification – Desirable Qualifications

• Further postgraduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, health and social care practice, and/or research design and analysis.

Essential Knowledge / Experience

• Relevant clinical and research skills.


• Experience working as part of a team.


• Basic knowledge of databases and research methodology.


• Ability to apply psychological knowledge to a health context.


• Understanding of psychology applied to healthcare.

Desirable Knowledge / Experience

• Experience working with people with complex needs and disabilities.


• Experience of psychometric tests.


• Experience of group work and individual therapeutic contact.


• Experience of in‑patient settings.


• Experience of teaching other health professionals.


• Lived experience of mental health issues.

Essential Skills

• Communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism.


• Provide and receive complex sensitive or contentious information in highly emotive atmospheres.


• High standard of report writing.


• Assimilate complex information and use reflective/analytic thinking.


• Flexible, cope with multiple demands and use initiative.


• Information technology skills and knowledge of statistical packages.

Essential Abilities

• Maintain frequent high levels of concentration for long periods.


• Tolerate and remain calm in the face of high levels of emotional distress.


• Tolerate occasional exposure to verbal abuse and hostility.


• Use a PC and sit for extended periods in constrained positions.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires submission for a Disclosure and Barring Service check to confirm no previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Employer – Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes, MK4 4DA
Website: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work