About this role
Job summary
Are you a values-driven psychologist, passionate about improving the lived experience of people using services and staff, aspiring to promote positive change in the systems all around us? If so, taking your next career step working at Second Step could be the right move for you
Originally commissioned since 2019 by Somerset Council and recommissioned in April 2026, Step Together is an innovative service that offers a psychological, adversity and trauma (PAT) informed approach to supporting those rough sleeping/at risk of homelessness with multiple disadvantage and complex needs (mental health, forensic history, substance use). We also advocate for system change, creatively thinking with other agencies to develop innovative ways to overcome barriers to engagement, turning these into opportunities to steer positive trauma-informed system change.
After successful recommissioning, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Psychologist (Equivalent to 8a afc NHS) to join the team, overseeing the implementation of the organisational Psychological, Adversity and Trauma-informed (PAT) strategy within Step Together, and across the Somerset Housing & Homelessness system. With 7 years experience delivering our flagship PAT informed service and a clear evidence-base for psychological input, we are a highly regarded service across Somerset.
Main duties of the job
Step Together is a trailblazing service that offers a psychological, adversity and trauma (PAT) informed approach to those rough sleeping/at risk of homelessness with multiple, complex needs (mental health, forensic history, substance use). We advocate for system change, creatively thinking with other agencies to develop innovative ways to overcome barriers to engagement, turning these into opportunities to steer positive trauma-informed system change.
About us Second Step is a leading mental health charity in the South-West offering housing, support and hope to thousands of people with mental health and other needs. We promote wellbeing by supporting people and communities to build brighter futures. We value relationships and making sense of what has happened to those accessing our services, rather than labelling what is wrong with them.
Job description Job responsibilities
Facilitate a reflective practice group space to managers from Second Step services in Somerset.
Offer guidance and consultation on case work to support staff understanding of clients who often fall through the gap in services, typically presenting with psycho-social challenges and histories of trauma that can elevate presentations of distress and risk (drawing upon various frameworks as required e.g. CBT, CAT, MBT, Psychodynamic, Solution-Focused, Restorative Approaches and Strengths-Based Practice).
Provide psychological reflective debriefs to teams after incidents as and when appropriate.
Offer supervision to other psychologists and trainee psychologist placements as and when appropriate.
Be involved in the continual evaluation and development of these reflective contexts.
What were looking for:
Experience working in the field of multiple disadvantage and clients with intersecting complexity of need (forensic history, substance use, trauma, mental health challenges). Leadership skills and that drive PAT informed change through effective delivery and oversight of our team staff support and development model and broader PAT strategy that enhances quality practice and staff wellbeing. Clinical diversity and proficiency with an ability to oversee the provision of psychological interventions with clients including supervision of trainee psychologists from local universities. Comprehensive formulation skills, commitment to community psychology and using psychology creatively, with an appetite for innovation. A dynamic trainer and motivator with the ability to engage diverse teams and tailor learning approaches to different sectors making psychology understandable and relevant to all. A passionate advocate for system change, with a deep understanding of trauma-informed principles and organisational transformation.What we offer:
Investment in your professional development, including training and robust clinical supervision. Membership within our growing psychology team to support professional identity and CPD. The chance to extend scope of practice working in partnership with key stakeholders to drive meaningful system change.We will shortlist based on staff evidencing clearly in their application how they meet the essential and desirable criteria.
If you have the drive, adaptability, and open-mindedness to hold the hope and compassion for clients that other services have struggled to effectively work alongside, believing that recovery and growth are always possible, then we welcome hearing from you.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Experience of working with people with severe and multiple disadvantage including a range of adult mental health problems and/or substance misuse, forensic histories and homelessness Experience of formulating different ways of adapting and surviving using trauma informed and attachment frameworks Experience of evaluation and audit Experience of developing and delivering training to various audiences Experience and interest in group facilitation and offering reflective contexts e.g. reflective practice Experience of influencing the networks of support around individuals and creating system change
Desirable
Experience of working in NHS secondary care mental health services Experience of working in non-NHS settings Experience of relational approaches to therapy e.g. psychodynamic models Experience of creating and delivering psychological and trauma informed training to different audiences
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 details Employer name Second Step
Address Parkway Hub
Parkway
Bridgwater
TA6 4RL
Employer's website https://www.second-step.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)