Assistant Psychologist

Go back Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist

The closing date is 03 November 2025

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn

The Forensic Psychological Service are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Assistant Psychologist to work in inpatient services at the Hatherton Centre.

We are seeking Psychology Graduates with a first or upper second degree in Psychology or a 2.2 plus a post‑graduate degree. Undergraduates who have not formally graduated with their first degree should not apply.

Applicants must demonstrate significant prior experience of face‑to‑face work with people who have: severe and enduring mental illness, convictions for harmful behaviour, a history of substance use, been in inpatient services. Desirable experience includes: work in a secure setting, co‑facilitating group interventions and previous experience as an Assistant Psychologist.

Applicants must also have: high level communication skills, the confidence and skills to work independently, and the ability to both recognise the limits of their competence and to use supervision appropriately. They will have a mature and balanced attitude to people who have mental health difficulties or learning disability and who have a history of behaviour that presents a risk of harm to others, in addition to a commitment to service user involvement and the recovery approach.

Main duties of the job

The forensic inpatient services provide assessment and treatment for men with mental health difficulties and a history of behaviour that presents a risk of harm to others.

The Forensic Psychological Service has a vacancy for an Assistant Psychologist (12 month fixed term posts) who will work with inpatients and staff of the Forensic Directorate.

The post‑holder will assist in the provision and delivery of a high quality and well‑regarded psychology service for one of the seven wards that make up the forensic inpatient services. The role supports and enhances the professionally‑led psychological care of service users, providing psychological assessment and interventions under the close supervision of an HCPC registered qualified Psychologist, working independently according to an agreed plan and within the overall framework of the service\’s policies and procedures.

The post holder will support the qualified ward psychologist with psychological assessments and interventions by reviewing casefiles, administering and scoring psychometric tests, co‑facilitating group interventions, undertaking protocol‑based interventions and attending clinical meetings. The post holder will also undertake administrative tasks, literature reviews, report writing, clinically related administration, audit, teaching, project work and service evaluation projects.

About us

Come and work with us at our award‑winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non‑clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are \’United in our Uniqueness\’ and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Job responsibilities

The post‑holder will be based at the Hatherton Centre, Stafford, but may be deployed to work into a range of forensic psychological services or may be required to travel to venues across the West Midlands.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for the roles.

Clinical:

Under the supervision of an HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist (e.g. Clinical Psychologist, Forensic Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist):

• To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users applying psychological, including neuropsychological tests, self‑report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi‑structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the service users care.
• To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users problems, including simple procedures and techniques related to psychological therapies.
• To assist in the co‑ordination and running of therapeutic group interventions.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• A First or Upper Second honours degree in psychology OR a lower Second degree with a post‑graduate qualification.

Experience

• Significant prior experience of face‑to‑face work with people with severe and enduring mental illness or learning disability and a history of behaviour that presents a risk of harm to others
• Prior experience of work in a secure setting or co‑facilitating therapeutic group interventions

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• High level communication skills (written and verbal)

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.

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Radford House, Hatherton Centre, St Georges Hospital

£27,485 to £30,162 a year pro‑annum (pro‑rata)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full‑time

Reference number

301-LBG-25-7535949

Job locations

Radford House, Hatherton Centre, St Georges Hospital