Forensic/Clinical Psychologist

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare trust in the UK is seeking a Clinical or Forensic Psychologist to join a multidisciplinary team in Bridgwater. The role involves providing specialized psychological assessments for men with complex mental health needs, engaging in research, and developing care pathways. Candidates should have relevant qualifications, including a Doctoral Clinical Psychology and HCPC registration, along with significant experience in mental health. The position promotes work-life balance with a Monday-Friday schedule and offers various professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working options

NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development opportunities

Blue Light Card for discounts

Qualifications

• Doctoral Clinical Psychology or equivalent.
• Registered with HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• Significant experience of working with long-term mental health problems.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessments and interventions for service users.
• Deliver comprehensive risk assessments and treatment plans.
• Offer consultation and supervision to the multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Psychological assessment

Risk assessment

Consultation and supervision

Neuropsychological assessment

Education

Doctoral Clinical Psychology

Registered with HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist

Accreditation in NICE approved therapy (e.g., CBT or CAT)

Job description

Are you a Clinical or Forensic Psychologist with a passion for Forensic Mental Health?

We're looking for a Psychologist to join our team at Ash Ward, a 12-bed Male Low Secure inpatient unit based in Bridgwater. We provide person-centred care for men with complex mental health needs across Somerset and the South West, working within a trauma-informed, psychologically and medically led model of care. You'll be part of a skilled multidisciplinary team including psychiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, and psychology.

Our focus is on reducing distress, managing risk, and promoting independence and social inclusion, with the ultimate goal of supporting safe and timely discharge.

Our Trust also has a Community Forensic Team with other psychologists, giving you access to wider support, collaboration, and shared expertise beyond the ward environment.

• Be part of a forward-thinking Trust, recently recognised with the HSJ Award for Mental Health Innovation of the Year
• Part of the South West Provider Collaborative, giving you access to training and leadership development
• Opportunities for research and academic collaboration with Exeter University
• Support trainees
• Enjoy a Monday-Friday schedule that supports work-life balance

We welcome informal conversations with the current post-holder. Please contact Tracy Jardine to arrange.

Main duties of the job

• Provide highly specialised psychological assessments and interventions for service users with severe and enduring mental health difficulties and forensic risk profiles.
• Deliver comprehensive risk assessments, psychological formulations, and treatment plans tailored to individual needs.
• Offer consultation, supervision, and training to the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and support reflective practice.
• Contribute to the development of the forensic service and maintain close links with the Somerset Forensic Community Team and other psychologists across the region.
• Engage in research and audit activities, promoting evidence-based practice and service development.
• Support safe and effective discharge planning in collaboration with community teams.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

As a Clinical/Forensic Psychologist within Ash Ward, you will:

• Work autonomously within a trauma-informed model of care, providing psychological oversight for service users.
• Lead the development and delivery of psychological care pathways, ensuring the MDT has access to psychologically informed frameworks.
• Interpret and integrate complex data from multiple sources, including psychological and neuropsychological assessments, risk assessments, and multi‑agency information.
• Make expert clinical decisions regarding treatment options, drawing on a range of therapeutic models.
• Provide specialist consultation to external agencies, including high secure hospitals, prisons, and the Ministry of Justice.
• Supervise assistant psychologists, trainees, and other staff, and offer opportunities for coaching and mentoring.
• Participate in strategic planning, service audits, and quality improvement initiatives.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Doctoral Clinical Psychology or equivalentRegistered with HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist
• Accreditation in NICE approved therapy e.g., CBT or CATRelevant specialist CPD training in psychological therapy with long term mental health problemsClinical Supervision training

Experience

• Significant experience of working with people with long term mental health problemsCompetence in core psychological assessment formulation and skills intervention skills and in neuro‑psychological assessmentTeaching and training psychology to staff and other professionals
• Research and development work in area relevant to people with long term mental health problemsExperience of providing a psychological service to inpatient services.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.