Clinical Forensic Psychologist

Horizon Care & Education are looking for a Clinical/Forensic Psychologist to join us to deliver a comprehensive therapeutic service for children in our care in Salisbury and Melksham in Wiltshire. This is an exciting position, working with 4 new children's homes, with one of our homes being an assessment home, where we work closely with the children to identify their individual needs.

What we’re looking for from you:

• Experience of working with Children and Young People or relevant demonstrable transferable skills is essential
• Post-doctoral knowledge of applied psychology including developmental lifespan psychology, models of psychopathology
• Previous experience working with children and young people that have experienced trauma and have complex needs
• Experience in the assessment and management of self-harm / risk / crisis management / safeguarding
• Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision
• Practitioner doctorate or equivalent accepted by the British Psychological Society as qualifying the person to work as a clinical/counselling/forensic psychologist/relevant qualification to enable HCPC registration
• Knowledge of Therapeutic practices
• Experience of working with sensory strategies
• A desire to support services through embedding therapeutic practice
• Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
• Ability to work autonomously with the support from individual and peer supervision
• Ability to role model behaviours and attitudes in line with organisational values
• A sound understanding of Microsoft Office components, including knowledge of Excel, Teams and SharePoint
• Full UK driving licence and use of your own vehicle

Qualifications & Registration:

• HCPC registration as a Clinical or Forensic Psychologist; doctoral-level training in psychology.

Specialist Knowledge:

• In-depth understanding of child and adolescent development, attachment theory, the impact of complex trauma, neglect, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and how these present in residential and supported accommodation contexts.

Experience:

• Direct work with children and young people displaying high-risk behaviours (e.g., self-harm, aggression, absconding) within 24/7 staffed environments.
• Skilled in conducting psychological assessments and formulations to inform care planning in children’s assessment homes, including integration of multi-agency information.
• Working effectively within safeguarding frameworks, child protection procedures, and court-related processes.

Skills:

• Ability to deliver and adapt evidence-based interventions (e.g., CBT, trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, systemic approaches) in non-clinical settings.
• Strong consultation and reflective practice facilitation skills for residential care staff teams.
• Capacity to manage challenging interpersonal dynamics and maintain professional boundaries in high-emotion environments.
• Experience supporting transition planning for young people moving between assessment, residential, supported accommodation, and family or foster placements.
• Training in additional therapeutic approaches (e.g., DBT, play therapy, mentalisation-based therapy).
• Experience in service evaluation, outcome measurement, or research in residential/assessment settings.
• Skills in delivering psychologically informed environment (PIE) principles within supported accommodation.

Here are just some of the benefits of working for us:

• Blue Light Card
• Taste Card - Discounts on the Cinema, meals out and days out!
• My Active and My Gym discounts
• Colleague referral scheme with cash rewards - earn up to £2500 per referral!
• Financial wellbeing service
• Life Assurance
• Opportunity to progress in your career through our Education Academy, and ongoing training and professional development.
• Comprehensive and tailored induction programme including face-to-face training, online modules, shadowing, and local induction period.
• Face-to-face therapeutic training and support for all colleagues via our SHINE programme.
• Access to a wide range of free online courses for all colleagues on a variety of topics
• Employee assistance programme - free, confidential support via Bupa.
• Community and wellbeing - Your wellbeing matters to us, and we are committed to ensuring you get all the support you need to feel good about what you do.
• Supportive management and senior leaders.
• High quality CPD opportunities.
• Free eye checks.

Horizon Care and Education is committed to quality, equality, and valuing diversity. This post is subject to satisfactory criminal records check and satisfactory references.