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Job overview

Are you an experienced psychologist interested in working with people whose early traumatic experiences have contributed to high-risk offending behaviours?

Thames Valley Integrated Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway are looking for an experienced Clinical, Counselling or Forensic Psychologist to join our team.  

We are jointly commissioned by the NHS and Probation Service and are responsible for providing psychological input into Probation teams including case identification and pathway management for high-risk, high harm people on probation with personality difficulties/ experiences of early life trauma. We are looking for a proactive, approachable clinician who is passionate about multi-agency working, formulating complexity, and providing direct and indirect input to a stigmatised and marginalised population.

We believe that diversity in teams helps improve trust and respect between staff and encourages typically excluded groups to engage with us. If you have any protected characteristics or are from a BAME background, then we are particularly keen to receive an application from you.

Our shifts are 7.5 hours, week days only, with core working hours generally being 9am to 5pm. However, we understand the importance of a work-life balance, so are open to discussions about compressed hours. 

Main duties of the job

The Integrated OPD Pathway Service includes staff from several disciplines including administrators, assistant, clinical, counselling and forensic psychologists, an occupational therapy assistant, probation officers, a probation service officer and a team lead. Please refer to the organisational chart which details how the team works together. 

You will be responsible for:-

• providing psychological consultations to Offender Managers/Probation Practitioners (OM/PPs), Approved Premises staff and other professionals working with the person on probation
• working closely with the Enhanced Intensive Intervention and Risk Management Service (E-IIRMS) to identify people on probation who are eligible for direct psychosocial interventions and psychological therapy
• conducting joint work sessions with people on probation and OM/PPs as pre-engagement/motivational work prior to a referral to E-IIRMS; to deliver a brief intervention; to demonstrate a technique or approach to OM/PPs; to explore an unusual presentation; or observe relational dynamics with a view to deepening an understanding of the risk issues
• developing and delivering training and reflective practice for Probation teams and Approved Premises staff, with support from our wider department reflective practice supervision space
• supervising other psychologists working within your geographical area
• for those who are interested, there may be an opportunity to maintain a small therapy caseload (with E-IIRMS)

Working for our organisation

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible.

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”

Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”

At Oxford Health we offer a range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. 

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

We sit within the Forensic Mental Health Psychology team, who work in inpatient and community settings. The whole department meets monthly for a business meeting, CPD groups and reflective practice. Our psychology department is proud of the diversity of therapeutic approaches utilised in our work, where support, supervision and CPD is prioritised.