Job summaryAn excellent opportunity has arisen for experienced assistant psychologists or psychological well-being practitioners to join the Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT) at West London Forensic Service. There are two full-time posts available which are based on St Bernard's Hospital site in Ealing.You will work within the team supporting the provision of a highly specialist psychology service to service users with a diagnosis of mental illness and an offending history who are living in the community or in the process of moving from a secure hospital to the community.We welcome applications from highly-motivated, resourceful individuals who value team working, and who have experience in working in forensic settings and / or adult mental health.West London is one of the most diverse and vibrant areas in London and our staff reflect the diverse communities we serve. Our sense of community and pride in our work stems from the difference which every member of our staff makes.Main duties of the jobYou will be responsible for supporting the provision of a highly specialised psychology service to culturally diverse service users with enduring mental health disorders and forensic histories, who are living in the community or in the process of moving from a low or medium secure forensic mental health setting to the community.As a member of the MDT, you will provide psychological assessments, formulations and interventions (group and individual) focused on mental health and risk, under the supervision of a qualified member of the psychological services who will retain clinical responsibility for work carried out. You will assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work. The role involves working independently according to a plan agreed with the line manager and within the overall framework of the team's policies and procedures.About usWest London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse providers of mental health, community and social care in the UK. It provides a broad range of forensic mental health care in adult male and female services, across high, medium and low security settings, as well as in a community and court diversion setting. West London Forensic Service was recently rated as outstanding by the CQC.Psychology plays a valued and integral role within West London Forensic Service. We are committed to providing high quality, evidence based interventions within a recovery framework. The psychological therapies department, which comprises a team of over thirty psychologists and psychological therapists, is well-established and supportive with high standards of clinical supervision and excellent opportunities for continuing professional development.We are keen to ensure that our workforce reflects the community it serves, particularly in terms of ethnicity, gender, disability, LGBTQ+ and experience of mental illness.Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesYou will work within the Specialist Community Forensic Team to provide a high quality, specialist applied psychology service to service users with a diagnosis of mental illness and an offending history who are living in the community or in the process of moving from secure inpatient care to the community.You will have a psychology degree or higher in psychology, conferring eligibility to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.You will have experience of working as an assistant psychologist or psychological wellbeing practitioner in a mental health and/or forensic clinical setting or equivalent, providing psychological assessments and interventions.You will share our Trust values of Togetherness, Responsibility, Excellence and Caring.For further information, please contact Lisa Cook, Principal Psychologist via email on lisa.cook@westlondon.nhs.ukPerson SpecificationSkills & KnowledgeEssentialoExperience of working as an assistant psychologist or psychological wellbeing practitioner in adult mental health or forensic services.oAn understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problemsoTo be able to implement appropriate psychological assessment and interventions relevant to the client groupoThe ability to draw upon a specific theoretical knowledge base in the analysis of facts/observations to arrive at appropriate formulations under clinical supervision.oThe ability to make judgements based on psychological knowledge, clinical information and environmental events within a session and make decisions on this basis e.g. with regard to feedback to nursing or other staff.oThe ability to plan, prioritise and organise own patient caseload, and other aspects of the work such as audit or research activity.oPsychomotor skills necessary to administer complex psychological tests and video equipment.oThe ability to satisfactorily complete breakaway training.DesirableoExperience of working with people with a personality disorder.oAttendance at specialist short courses relevant to the post (e.g. Trauma Informed Care, Structured Clinical Management training, DBT training, CBT training).oExperience of carrying out audit, research or service evaluations.Professional Standards / OtherEssentialoKnowledge of the professional code of conduct of the BPS.oCapable of being guided by precedent, clearly defined policies, procedures and codes of conduct.oAble to accept the professional advice and guidance of qualified psychologists.oAbility to discuss personal reactions (thoughts, feelings, behaviours) in clinical supervision, reflective practice, formulation meetings to plan safer therapeutic care.DesirableoA desire to explore a career in professional psychology and progress to clinical associate psychologist training or a doctorate training course in psychology.Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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).UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameWest London NHS TrustAddressSt BernardsSOUTHALLUB1 3EUEmployer's websitehttps://www.westlondon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)