Job summary
- Main area
- Psychology
- Grade
- Band 4
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (n/a)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday 09:00 - 17:00)
- Job ref
- 342-SS157-1125
- Employer
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- North Somerset Probation Office
- Town
- Weston-super-Mare
- Salary
- £27,485 - £30,162 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 09/11/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 25/11/2025
Employer heading
Band 4 OPD Assistant Psychologist - North Somerset
Band 4
Job overview
We are looking to recruit an Assistant Psychologist into the Specialised PD Probation Service at AWP. Specialised PD, otherwise known as OPD, is a large, community based, multidisciplinary team that has developed innovative approaches to working with high-risk offenders with Personality Disorders. These service users are seen by the National Probation Service in Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire and OPD covers the caseload within these areas.
As a service we cover Probation Offices based in Bristol, Bath, North Somerset, Swindon, Chippenham, Salisbury, Gloucester, and Cheltenham. In addition, we cover 3 Male and 1 Female Approved Premises in Bristol, and 1 Male Approved Premises in Gloucester.
We support a hybrid working model where we encourage staff to work from home 40% of the working week, and in an office space for 60% of their working week. Each staff member has an allocated geographical area with a central office in that area. Though this post is based primarily in Bath & North Somerset there will be occasional travel to other areas covered by OPD, or for training, conferences, or external meetings.
It is a desired requirement of this post that the applicant lives within reasonable travel distance of North Somerset Probation Office as they will need to attend here or similar locations several times a week.
The proposed interview date is Tuesday 25th November 2025
Main duties of the job
To support the delivery of community OPD by delivering; case triage and identification, case reviews, case consultations, developing formulation, designing and delivering training, providing advice and consultation to other professionals, and contributing to the research within the team. The post will also involve direct work with service users who are now residing in the community and would involve providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions.
In addition, the post holder will be required to regularly assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, delivery orders, collection of statistics and development of audit and/or research projects.
The post holder would be expected to work independently according to a plan agreed with the professionally registered clinical and operational lead for the area/service and within the overall framework of the team’s policies and procedures.
For professionally unregistered staff all work is done under the supervision of professionally registered clinicians. Clinical supervision and line management are in play to support all clinical staff.
Working for our organisation
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
You will enjoy the benefits of working in AWP, an NHS Trust that is committed to developing highly skilled workforce and actively encourages professional development opportunities. You will be encouraged and supported to participate in additional training and development activities. You will also benefit from the generous NHS pension scheme and exclusive NHS discounts.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
CLINICAL
To support the Clinical/Counselling psychologists within the base service.
Where required, to prepare and deliver high quality psychological interventions under supervision, either individually or in groups.
Where required, to offer high quality psychological assessments following instructions appropriate to the assessment tools/processes.
To gather and organise information about clinical notes, relevant psychological interventions and clinical tools for use by other staff.
To work alongside other team members and ensure close liaison and communication within teams.
To work at level of autonomy appropriate to a Band 4 Assistant Psychologist. Goals to be agreed and reviewed in clinical/management supervision.
To maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times when working with distressed people.
To maintain clinical records, databases and other professional records as appropriate.
TEACHING AND TRAINING
To undertake such training as might be required to maintain an appropriate level of expertise.
To assist with the delivery of teaching and training for other members of the multidisciplinary team and staff in other agencies, in collaboration with qualified staff.
RESEARCH AND AUDIT
Where required, to assist with the audit and evaluation of the service in collaboration with qualified clinical and counselling psychologists and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
To compile and return statistics and activity levels as required.
Where required, to undertake literature searches and reviews.
PROFESSIONAL
To understand and practice in line with the BPS (2009) Code of Ethics and Conduct and the DCP (2008) Professional Practice Guidelines on the role
To participate in team business and professional meetings as appropriate.
To be aware of and comply with all policies, procedures and directions of the Department, Service and Trust.
To seek regular support and clinical supervision from a Practitioner Psychologist.
To participate in individual, group and peer supervision.
To participate in meetings with members of nursing staff and MDTs as appropriate.
To maintain accurate and appropriate records of work.
CLINICAL GOVERNANCE
To participate in service governance processes to ensure a safe and effective service.
To support and participate in multidisciplinary clinical audit.
To liaise with other disciplines and agencies to ensure best practice is shared.
To promote the use of effective interventions in the service.
GENERAL
To assist in the production of resources and materials used by the service
To assist with the general running of the Team/Service e.g. minuting department meetings
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
- Honours Degree in Psychology
- Eligibility for graduate membership
Desirable criteria
- Additional courses or post-grad training in a psychological topic
Experience
Essential criteria
- Interest in forensics or personality disorders
- Understanding of mental health problems
- Experience of working face to face with clients
- Audit & research experience
- Experience of working with statistical packages
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working with healthcare
Skills
Essential criteria
- Good communication (IT, verbal, written)
- Ability to work independently and with others
- Self awareness, emotional resilience, empathy
- Clear ability to travel to different locations
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Emily Hill
- Job title
- Business Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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