Job Description

The closing date is 21st Dec 2025

Anticipated Interview date(s) January 2026

Job summary

---------------

Are you a Clinical or Forensic Psychologist with a passion for Forensic Mental Health?

We're looking for a Psychologist to join our team at Ash Ward, a 12-bed Male Low Secure inpatient unit based in Bridgwater. We provide person-centred care for men with complex mental health needs across Somerset and the South West, working within a trauma-informed, psychologically and medically led model of care. You'll be part of a skilled multidisciplinary team including psychiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, and psychology.


Our focus is on reducing distress, managing risk, and promoting independence and social inclusion, with the ultimate goal of supporting safe and timely discharge.


Our Trust also has a Community Forensic Team with other psychologists, giving you access to wider support, collaboration, and shared expertise beyond the ward environment.

Why join us?

Be part of a forward-thinking Trust, recently recognised with the HSJ Award for Mental Health Innovation of the Year Part of the South West Provider Collaborative, giving you access to training and leadership development Opportunities for research and academic collaboration with Exeter University Support trainees Enjoy a Monday-Friday schedule that supports work-life balance

We welcome informal conversations with the current post-holder. Please contact Tracy Jardine to arrange.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

-----------------------------------------

Provide highly specialised psychological assessments and interventions for service users with severe and enduring mental health difficulties and forensic risk profiles. Deliver comprehensive risk assessments, psychological formulations, and treatment plans tailored to individual needs. Offer consultation, supervision, and training to the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and support reflective practice. Contribute to the development of the forensic service and maintain close links with the Somerset Forensic Community Team and other psychologists across the region. Engage in research and audit activities, promoting evidence-based practice and service development. Support safe and effective discharge planning in collaboration with community teams.

About us

------------


At

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

Flexible working options

to help you balance work and life

NHS pension scheme

for long-term financial security

Generous annual leave allowance

to recharge and relax A strong focus on

career development

to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our

Blue Light Card

, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.


We are proud to foster a

diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce

, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset?

Somerset offers the perfect blend of

idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty

, and

breathtaking coastlines

, with vibrant cities like

Bristol

,

Bath

, and

Exeter

just a short drive away - and only two hours to

London

.


The region is home to excellent

educational facilities

, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all

- the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job description

-------------------


As a Clinical/Forensic Psychologist within Ash Ward, you will:

Work autonomously within a trauma-informed model of care, providing psychological oversight for service users. Lead the development and delivery of psychological care pathways, ensuring the MDT has access to psychologically informed frameworks. Interpret and integrate complex data from multiple sources, including psychological and neuropsychological assessments, risk assessments, and multi-agency information. Make expert clinical decisions regarding treatment options, drawing on a range of therapeutic models. Provide specialist consultation to external agencies, including high secure hospitals, prisons, and the Ministry of Justice. Supervise assistant psychologists, trainees, and other staff, and offer opportunities for coaching and mentoring. Participate in strategic planning, service audits, and quality improvement initiatives.

Person specification

------------------------

Qualifications

#

Essential

Doctoral Clinical Psychology or equivalent Registered with HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist



#

Desirable

Accreditation in NICE approved therapy e.g., CBT or CAT Relevant specialist CPD training in psychological therapy with long term mental health problems Clinical Supervision training

Experience

#

Essential

Significant experience of working with people with long term mental health problems Competence in core psychological assessment formulation and skills intervention skills and in neuro-psychological assessment Teaching and training psychology to staff and other professionals



#

Desirable

Research and development work in area relevant to people with long term mental health problems Experience of providing a psychological service to inpatient services.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.


From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

For help with your application, contact:

Tracy Jardine


tracy.jardine@somersetft.nhs.uk


07765080300

Pay scheme

Agenda for Change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

55690.00 to 62682.00 Yearly

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-Time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-3489

Job locations

Broadway House

Broadway Park

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 5LX