Assistant Psychologist

NHS; Leyland; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider seeks an Assistant Psychologist for HMP Garth in Leyland. This role offers a chance to support mental health management among prisoners and work in a fulfilling environment. Key responsibilities include conducting assessments, facilitating therapeutic sessions, and contributing to patient care. Candidates should have a degree in psychology, with relevant experience preferred. This permanent full-time position provides a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Company pension scheme

25 days annual leave

Extensive wellbeing benefits

Discounts on shopping and leisure

24/7 employee assistance helpline

Qualifications

• Degree in psychology is required.
• Experience in a paid assistant psychologist role preferred.
• Experience facilitating therapeutic groups and psychological assessments.

Responsibilities

• Support the psychological care of patients.
• Run clinics and assessments.
• Provide psychological assessments under supervision.

Skills

Psychological assessment

Therapeutic group facilitation

CBT knowledge

Experience with complex needs

Education

Degree in psychology

Master’s degree (beneficial)

Job description

Assistant Psychologist – HMP Garth (Leyland, Lancashire)

UNLOCK YOUR BEST WORK LIFE
+ MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO EVERY LIFE

Job summary

We have a fantastic opportunity for an Assistant Psychologist to join the mental health team at HMP Garth, a high‑security Category B male prison located in Leyland. HMP Garth has a capacity of around 800 and houses men serving long‑term and indeterminate sentences.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an ever‑changing, challenging environment, which is hugely rewarding. You will be a key part of the mental health team, supporting in the management of conditions such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, trauma and other mental health issues.

Hours and salary

Hours: Full‑time role, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00.
Salary: £29,264 – £33,510 per annum, depending on experience.

How we support you

• Bespoke induction, including the Introducing Health in Justice training course
• Competency framework
• Regional and national career development opportunities
• Our bespoke Learning Management System to address your learning needs
• Support from the wider team

Candidates are required to have a legal right to work in the UK. Due to the nature of the role, offers of employment will be subject to additional vetting and security checks.

Main duties

• Support the psychological care of patients throughout their journey with us
• Run clinics, assessments, and one‑to‑one sessions
• Triage assessments and identify patient needs
• Prepare and deliver psychological intervention group sessions
• Provide psychological assessment and interventions under the supervision of a qualified psychologist
• Work with people with complex needs, which can present or lead to challenging situations or behaviours
• Work within the ACCT process and contribute towards the CSIP
• Monitor and provide feedback on patients’ function and general mental health condition during the course of intervention, reporting changes to the mental health team

Career development and benefits

• Company pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave increasing with service up to 28 days per year, plus public bank holidays
• Extensive range of wellbeing and lifestyle benefits
• Discounts on shopping and leisure activities
• Support to grow in your role and continue your professional development
• Excellent long‑term career prospects
• 24/7 employee assistance helpline and financial assistance when you need it

About Us

The Health in Justice team at Practice Plus Group makes a real difference across more than 53 prisons, young offenders and immigration removal centres. We are the UK’s leading independent provider of NHS services to over 40,000 patients in secure environments, always putting their needs first, regardless of background.

Practice Plus Group’s purpose is to unlock your best work life and we stand by our core values:

• We treat patients and each other as we would like to be treated
• We act with integrity
• We embrace diversity
• We strive to do things better together

Qualifications and experience

• Hold a degree in psychology
• Master’s degree is beneficial but not essential
• Experience within a paid assistant psychologist role, whether in prison, community setting, or psychiatric environment
• Experience facilitating therapeutic groups and delivering psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention within an evidence‑based therapeutic model (e.g. CBT, CFT, DBT)
• Experience working within a secure environment is a bonus, although not essential

Key details

Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Location: Garth Prison, Ulnes Walton Lane, Leyland, Lancashire, PR268NE

Reference number: 13555
Date posted: 19 December 2025

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.