Clinical Lead for Men's Mental Health Treatment Requirement Service

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 84,000; Part time

Job summary

A public health service in North East London seeks a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to jointly lead a men's mental health service. The role involves managing clinical responsibilities and supervising a team of professionals. Candidates should have doctoral training in psychology and relevant clinical qualifications, with a focus on delivering specialized care within the criminal justice system.

Qualifications

• Doctoral training in clinical/forensic psychology with HCPC registration.
• Experience with high-risk service users and diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Lead the MHTR service across North East London.
• Manage a small, complex clinical caseload while supervising the team.

Skills

Complex psychological assessment

Crisis management

Training development

Inter-agency collaboration

Excellent communication

Education

Doctoral level training in clinical/forensic psychology

HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist

Job description

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to jointly lead and develop a newly commissioned North East London (NEL) men’s Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTR) service to reduce custodial sentences and improve the wellbeing of men in the criminal justice system with mental health needs. This NEL service is jointly provided by East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) and North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT).

Mental Health Treatment Requirements (MHTRs) were introduced by the Criminal Justice Act in 2003, recognising that for many individuals who offend, mental health and substance misuse issues underpin their offending behaviour. Treatment requirements offer courts an alternative to short custodial sentences and aim to prevent reoffending by addressing underlying vulnerabilities and improving quality of life. This service aims to increase the use of primary care treatment requirements as part of a community sentence, offering psychologically informed interventions. The MHTR Service will also provide the courts with information and confidence to sentence to robust and effective treatment requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the MHTR service across North East London (NEL) and operate as a jobshare across NELFT and ELFT catchments.
• Fill two 0.6 WTE B8b Clinical or Counselling Psychologist roles to lead the service; posts are being recruited simultaneously and applicants may apply to both positions.
• Ensure operational service delivery across all courts in NEL and maintain a small, complex clinical caseload while supervising the clinical team.

About us

The posts are advertised by both NELFT and ELFT; candidates may be considered for both posts at interview. We support flexible working and consider applications for secondments to this substantive role. We welcome applications from people with protected characteristics and aim to recruit a staff team reflective of the population served.

Provisional details

• Interviews anticipated on 14 October 2025.
• Date posted: 30 September 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
• Band: 8b
• Salary: £72,921 to £83,362 per year (pro rata for part-time) plus HCAs
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part-time
• Reference: 363-FOR7476463
• Locations: Bethnal Green Health Centre, 60 Florida Street, London, E2 6LL

Job contacts

Please contact us for more information: Dr Phil Minoudis (Head of Forensic PD Psychology, ELFT) [e-mail] 07961 474 117; Dr Rachel Smith (Professional Lead for Forensic Psychology, NELFT) [e-mail] 07944 206 081

Person specification

Education / Qualification / Training – Essential

• Doctoral level training in clinical/forensic psychology, including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan development as accredited by the BPS; registration with the HCPC as a Clinical/Forensic Psychologist.
• Relevant clinical qualification within health or social care; accreditation and registration with the relevant clinical body.
• HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist and evidence of continuing professional development.
• Post‑doctoral/specialist training including clinical supervision.
• Accredited training in structured professional judgement approaches to risk assessment (e.g., HCR-20).
• Trained in an evidence‑based treatment for mental health/personality disorder.

Experience – Essential

• Experience of specialist psychological assessment, risk management and treatment for high-risk service users with significant personality difficulties across care settings.
• Experience working with diverse service user groups across the life course and handling challenging situations professionally.
• Significant inter-agency experience with forensic mental health, probation and/or prison services; experience in providing consultation.
• Experience in developing and delivering training and in clinical supervision; management and supervision experience.

Knowledge and Skills – Essential

• Strong skills in complex psychological assessment, intervention and management requiring sustained concentration.
• Understanding of specialist psychological treatment for mental health/personality disorder and formulation for complex high-risk service users.
• Knowledge of at least two specialised therapies and two assessment methodologies; extensive understanding of Criminal Justice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with service users, families, carers and professionals inside and outside the NHS.
• Knowledge of current mental health legislation, safeguarding, and MAPPA policies and procedures.

Desirable

• Experience of research methodology, staff training or other applied psychology fields.
• Accredited therapist in evidence-based treatment for specific groups (e.g., personality disorder, dual diagnoses).
• Experience of leading on risk management and on SUI reviews; organisational risk management; involvement in recruitment, service development and inter-agency work.

Other information

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a DBS disclosure will be required.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers for details.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require skilled worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered.

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