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Job overview

An exciting and challenging opportunity has arisen within the Psychologically Informed Consultation Service (PICS) Offender Personality Disorder Pathway Team for a competent, confident and enthusiastic Applied Psychologist to join our experienced team.

The Durham and Teesside Psychologically Informed Consultation Service (PICS) is part of the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway, a joint national initiative between Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and NHS England that spans across community, Prison and Probation settings.

The four aims of the pathway are:-

A reduction in repeat serious sexual and/or violent offending (men); or a reduction in repeat offending of relevant offences for female offenders (women).

To improve psychological health, wellbeing, prosocial behaviour and relational outcomes.

To improve the competence, confidence and attitude of staff working with complex offenders who are likely to have personality disorder.

To increase the efficiency, cost effectiveness, and quality of OPD pathway service.

Main duties of the job

The primary duties of this post involve providing consultations and formulations to Probation Practitioners for service users who present with complex needs and behaviours. The focus of consultations is relational needs and dynamics which impact and correlate with risk of harm to others. Understanding of trauma informed practice, attachment and personality difficulties underpins the consultation process to support the practice of Probation Practitioners working with high-risk individuals. Consultation outcomes offer guidance on pathway planning, considering provision within the Offender Personality Disorder pathway in custody and community settings, Mental Health services and Third sector organisations.

In a small number of cases joint formulation is offered in collaboration with Probation Practitioners and the service user. This may take the form of brief clinical interventions (six to eight sessions) focusing on motivation and engagement, psychoeducation and/or stabilisation strategies. PICS does not offer long-term intensive intervention. Partnership working is encouraged to support the transition to long-term therapeutic engagement with identified services.

Working for our organisation

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

As a service we are responsive to the wellbeing of our psychology team, and place a strong emphasis on self-care and supporting one another. This means there are clear job plans and people are encouraged to maintain a work/ life balance. We pride ourselves in building a positive working atmosphere and opportunities for development mean we have a proven track record of retaining staff within the team. In addition to this, flexible working and some working from home can be negotiated with the successful applicant.  

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the United Kingdom (UK) are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Browse: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Overseas applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).  Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply.  If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.