About this role
Job summary
This is an exciting and unique opportunity to join and contribute to the development the recently developed Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (FIND) Community Team in South-West London & St George's Mental Health Trust (SWLSTG).
The Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (FIND) Team is a specialist community service established primarily to support the safe and timely transition of individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism from forensic inpatient settings into the community. The team provides statutory specialist mental health support for this group following discharge, working with individuals until they are ready to access appropriate non-specialist community services.
The three forensic services of SWLSTG, South London and Maudsley (SLaM) and Oxleas together comprise the South London Mental Health and Community Partnership (SLP). The SLP's overarching goals centre on bringing care closer to home, improving patient pathways and outcomes by delivering excellent care in better environments. The SLP has a track record of delivering highly effective, clinically informed service developments in order to better meet the needs of service-users. The FIND provision is one such development and the SWLSTG FIND Team will therefore work closely with the FIND Teams in each of the other Trusts in order to expedite service-user's transition through inpatient settings to community provision.
Main duties of the job
The FIND Team Assistant Psychologist will work under the supervision of the FIND Team Principal Psychologist to complete specialist forensic neurodevelopmental assessments and interventions that help the transition of service-users to less restrictive environments. In particular, the post-holder will be engaged in assessing the responsivity of service-users to assessment and intervention materials and adapting them according to their specific learning and neurodevelopmental needs.
Given that the FIND Team at SWLSTG is a relatively recent venture, this is an exciting time to join, as the successful candidate will have opportunities to help shape how the team interacts with the rest of the forensic service, other specialist and nonspecialist mental health teams and external agencies; through training of other professionals, development of psychological groups etc.
We have a strong tradition of working systemically within the Forensic Service; involving friends and family members in the delivery of their loved-one's care wherever possible.
The successful candidate will be a curious, reflective and diligent practitioner who is committed to equity. They will be motivated by working with a highly complex and marginalised population within a collaborative and participative MDT. They will be able to balance issues of risk and vulnerability and contribute to an inclusive culture in which service users, carers and colleagues feel heard, valued and respected.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Unless expressly stated in the job advert the role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK.
Job description Job responsibilities
Clinical:
To undertake psychological assessments of clients applying psychological tests using specialist equipment such as neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care under appropriate supervision.
To observe clinical psychological assessments and contribute to the writing of psychological reports, under clinical supervision.
To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological intervention and/or management of a clients problem, under clinical supervision.
Teaching, training and supervision:
To receive clinical supervision in line with professional practice guidelines from the FIND Team Principal Psychologist.
To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
To contribute to the training and support of other staff within the FIND Team or colleagues in other mental health services.
Service Development:
To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.
To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects and recovery-focused projects within the service as required.
Research and service evaluation:
To routinely contribute to the design and implementation of audit and research projects/programmes.
To undertake data collection and analysis and the production of reports and summaries using IT and statistical computer programmes.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications
If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.
Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.
Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.
Person Specification
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS Essential
An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
Desirable
Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis
Experience Essential
Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities
Desirable
Experience of working in forensic and/or challenging behaviour services. Experience of co-facilitating psychosocial groups. Experience of working within a Multi-Disciplinary Team.
Knowledge & Skills Essential
High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with neurodevelopmental and offending behaviour problems. An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context. Experience using IT for databases or data-analysis.
Desirable
The ability to consider difficult clinical situations and one's own practice in a reflective manner. Knowledge and experience of using SPSS for windows Knowledge and experience of using EXCEL for spread sheets.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
Address Springfield University Hospital
15 Springfield Drive
London
SW17 0YF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.swlstg.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)