Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Assistant Psychologist (Band 5, full time, one-year contract with potential to extend) to join our friendly Psychological Professionals (PP) team based at the Hellingly Centre, which is part of Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Forensic Healthcare Service.



The role is across two secure wards. Assessments and interventions offered include those focused on mental health and those focused on offending behaviour. There will be opportunities to be involved in audit, service development, and evaluation of the outcomes of our work with the possibility of submitting for publication.



You will join a dedicated multidisciplinary inpatient team and a friendly Psychological Professions team that includes a varied range of practitioners and specialisms. The team prides itself in being supportive, with regular opportunities to think together in team meetings, reflective practice and team days. You will receive regular supervision from a practitioner psychologist.



As part of our experienced psychological therapies team, you will work alongside a clinical or forensic psychologist, aiding assessments and the psychological therapies provision for two wards at the Hellingly Centre. There will be the opportunity to develop your forensic and neuropsychological assessment skills. There will also be the opportunity to be involved in group programmes such as DBT-informed groups or offending behaviour groups. You will attend MDT and PP meetings. You will be supported in thinking about how to achieve next steps in your career goals.

Key tasks:

Assessment of individuals and groups.



Assisting qualified applied psychologists carry out prescribed interventions with individuals or in groups. Report writing. Audit and service evaluation. Literature searches. Developing resources. Assisting qualified applied psychologists in delivering training for other professionals.

Proximity to the South Downs, the sea, the vibrant city of Brighton and Hove whilst only an hour train ride from London!



We have a thriving, well-funded, friendly and highly skilled psychological professions department. We strive toward compassionate leadership and flexible support. We offer the opportunity to learn about the very best psychological therapies, in a safe therapeutic environment, with a challenging and often traumatised and marginalised client group.



The Hellingly Centre is a low and medium secure unit for people between the ages of 18-65 who have mental health problems and who have become involved with the criminal justice system. We offer assessment and treatment for people whose conditions cannot safely be treated other than in a secure environment. There are three medium secure inpatient wards and one low secure ward, housed in a modern unit in the beautiful surroundings of the Sussex countryside.

Main responsibilities:

To undertake assessments and interventions (including neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews of clients, family members and others involved in the client's care). To assist in the development of psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service. To formulate and deliver care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a client's problems within settings where there may be a hostile atmosphere, challenging behaviour or high levels of expressed emotion. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups. To compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk and crisis plans. To work with other team members to improve care practices and the quality of life of clients. To d esign and implement agreed elements of audit and research projects. Scope and Authority: To undertake projects relating to service development and evaluation. To set up databases, spreadsheets and using advanced IT skills in evaluation audit and research. To support assessment and treatment interventions undertaken by the service. To undertake direct and indirect clinical work that is managed and goals agreed and reviewed through regular supervision by a qualified applied HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist.

Key knowledge and skills:

Honours degree at 2:1 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS Experience of working with people with complex needs. Relevant clinical and research skills Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology Experience of group work and individual therapeutic contact Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health context Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Care Group and those of the Trust.





Please see the job description for full details of duties, responsibilities and requirements.



For further information or to talk about the post please call 0300 304 0818 and ask to speak to Jane Roberts, Consultant Forensic Psychologist, Andy Cook, Consultant Clinical Psychologist or Sam Cole, Principal Clinical Psychologist (or email jane.roberts55@nhs.net andy.cook6@nhs.net Samantha.cole36@nhs.net ).