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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support mental health care, run assessments, and deliver psychological interventions.
- Company: Join Practice Plus Group, a leading provider of NHS services in secure environments.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, a pension scheme, and extensive wellbeing perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of individuals facing complex challenges.
- Qualifications: Degree in Psychology and experience as an Assistant Psychologist preferred.
- Other info: Dynamic role in a high-security environment with great career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 29264 - 33510 £ per year.
We have a fantastic opportunity for an Assistant Psychologist to join the team at HMP Garth, a high‑security Category B male prison located in Leyland. With a capacity of around 800, the prison houses men serving long‑term and indeterminate sentences. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in an ever‑changing, challenging environment and is keen to support the mental health team in managing conditions such as PTSD, depression, anxiety and trauma.
Job Summary
- Hours: Full‑time, 37.5 hours per week – Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 17:00.
- Salary: £29,264 – £33,510 per annum, depending on experience.
- Support: Bespoke induction, Introducing Health in Justice training, competency framework, regional and national career development, bespoke Learning Management System and full support from the wider team.
Main Duties
- Support the psychological care of patients throughout their journey with us.
- Run clinics, assessments and 1‑1 sessions.
- Triage assessments and identify patient needs.
- Prepare and deliver psychological intervention group sessions.
- Provide psychological assessment and interventions under the supervision of the qualified psychologist.
- Work with people with complex needs, which can present or lead to challenging situations or behaviours.
- Work within the Assessment Care in Custody Team (ACCT) process and contribute to the Challenge, Support and Intervention Plan (CSIP).
- Monitor and provide feedback on patients’ function and general mental health condition throughout the course of intervention, reporting changes to the mental health team.
Qualifications and Experience
- Degree in Psychology (Masters preferred).
- Experience in a paid Assistant Psychologist role, whether in prison, community setting or psychiatric environment.
- Experience facilitating therapeutic groups and delivering psychological assessment, formulation and intervention within an evidence‑based model such as CBT, CFT or DBT.
- Experience working within a secure environment is a bonus, although not essential.
- Legal right to work in the UK; offer subject to additional vetting and security checks.
Benefits
- Company pension scheme.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing with service up to 28 days per year, plus public bank holidays.
- Extensive range of wellbeing and lifestyle benefits.
- Discounts on shopping and leisure activities.
- Support for professional development and career progression.
- 24/7 employee assistance helpline and financial assistance.
About Us
The Health in Justice team at Practice Plus Group makes a real difference across over 53 prisons, young offenders and immigration removal centres. We are the UK’s leading independent provider of NHS services to over 40,000 patients in secure environments, always putting their needs first, regardless of their background. Our purpose is to Unlock your best work life and we stand by our core values: treat patients and each other with respect, act with integrity, embrace diversity and strive to do things better together.
Assistant Psychologist in Leyland employer: Practice Plus Group
Contact Detail:
Practice Plus Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Psychologist in Leyland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at HMP Garth on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the team and the role, plus it shows our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of psychological interventions. We should be ready to discuss how we’d handle specific scenarios related to PTSD, depression, and anxiety in a prison setting.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our skills in facilitating therapeutic groups! Think of examples from past experiences where we’ve successfully led sessions or assessments. This will highlight our hands-on experience and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the Practice Plus Group team.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Psychologist in Leyland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Assistant Psychologist role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in psychological assessments and interventions. We want to see how your background fits with our needs at HMP Garth!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about working in a challenging environment like ours. Share specific examples of your experience with mental health support and how you can contribute to our team.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to showcase your skills in evidence-based models like CBT or DBT. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know how your skills align with the role and the patients we serve.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Practice Plus Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on psychological theories and practices relevant to the role, especially those related to PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Familiarise yourself with evidence-based models like CBT, CFT, or DBT, as these will likely come up during your interview.
✨Show Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous roles as an Assistant Psychologist, particularly any experience in secure environments. Prepare specific examples of how you've facilitated therapeutic groups or conducted assessments, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the job.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
The role involves working closely with a mental health team, so highlight your ability to collaborate effectively. Share examples of how you've contributed to team efforts in past positions, especially in challenging situations, to show that you're a team player.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the team dynamics at HMP Garth. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you. Consider asking about the support provided for professional development or how the team approaches complex patient needs.
