Forensic Psychologist/Clinical Lead - OPD Pathway Somerset

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Bridgwater; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health care provider in the UK is seeking an experienced Forensic Psychologist / Clinical Lead to oversee the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway. This role involves delivering psychological services and managing a multi-disciplinary team. Candidates must possess a Doctorate in Forensic or Clinical Psychology, along with HCPC registration. The position requires strong leadership and collaboration with criminal justice partners. Benefits include flexible working options and a commitment to career development.

Benefits

Flexible working options

NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development opportunities

Access to Blue Light Card discounts

Qualifications

• HCPC registration as a Psychologist is essential.
• Doctorate or equivalent in Forensic or Clinical Psychology required.
• Experience with multi-disciplinary Community Mental Health Services invaluable.
• Familiarity with criminal justice system and forensic mental health needed.
• Ability to lead or manage teams/staff is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Act as Clinical Lead for the OPD Pathway ensuring high-quality service.
• Deliver psychological formulation, consultations, and direct interventions.
• Lead service evaluation and ensure compliance with clinical governance.
• Manage own caseload and chair multi-agency meetings.
• Provide line management and staff development within the team.

Skills

Evidence-based therapeutic approaches

Psychological formulation

Clinical supervision

Risk assessment

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Education

Doctorate in Forensic or Clinical Psychology

HCPC registration as a Psychologist

Further training / MSc in relevant area

Tools

CBT

Schema therapy

EMDR

Job description

Forensic Psychologist/Clinical Lead - OPD Pathway Somerset

We are seeking an experienced Forensic Psychologist / Clinical Lead to join our dynamic Forensic Team within Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway, including the Intensive Integrated Risk Management Service (IIRMS).

The Forensic Team comprises:

• Specialist Community Forensic Team
• Forensic Link Workers
• Liaison and Diversion Service (LADS)
• Intensive Intervention and Risk Management Service
• Offender Personality Disorder Pathway

The OPD Pathway is a joint NHS and National Probation Service initiative, providing psychological formulation and consultation to Offender Managers working with individuals who have a Personality Disorder. The IIRMS delivers tailored, psychologically informed interventions to offenders in the community, aiming to reduce risk of serious harm and re-offending by improving psychological well‑being and social engagement.

This is a leadership role within a developing service, offering the chance to shape and evaluate provision, work closely with commissioners, and collaborate with local and national partners.

Main duties of the job

• Act as Clinical Lead for the OPD Pathway and IIRMS, ensuring high‑quality, evidence‑based service delivery.
• Provide psychological formulation, consultation, and direct clinical interventions for complex cases.
• Lead service evaluation and development, including reporting to NHS England and National Probation Service commissioners.
• Offer clinical supervision to psychologists, assistant psychologists, and other team members.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies including Probation, Police, MAPPA, and voluntary sector organisations.
• Contribute to national OPD Pathway audit and data collection.
• Maintain visible leadership across Somerset, with flexibility for remote working.

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 Clinical Lead, you will:

• Deliver a broad range of psychological skills (formulation, therapy, consultation, training) within a robust risk management framework.
• Manage and prioritise your own caseload, chair multi‑agency meetings, and provide specialist advice to professionals.
• Utilise integrative therapeutic approaches informed by evidence‑based models (e.g., CBT, Schema, DBT, CFT).
• Lead on service evaluation, compiling data for quarterly commissioning reports, and presenting findings to stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with NHS clinical governance, confidentiality, safeguarding, and equality standards.
• Provide line management and leadership within the forensic team, supporting staff development and maintaining trust values of Kindness, Respect, and Teamwork.
• Work across varied settings including community, Approved Premises, NHS and Probation bases.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• HCPC registration as a Psychologist
• Doctorate or equivalent in Forensic or Clinical Psychology
• Further training / MSc in relevant area. Training in recognised interventions applicable to this service user group (e.g. CBT, schema, EMDR)

Experience

• Experience of multi‑disciplinary Community Mental Health Services and the Criminal Justice System
• Experience of providing recognised psychological interventions to clients presenting with complex problems, including personality disorder and risk.
• Experience of working within Forensic Mental Health Settings, and/or experience of working in the Criminal Justice System.
• Experience of recognised interventions applicable to this service user group (e.g. CBT, schema, EMDR, mentalisation)
• Experienced with risk assessment and understanding of OASys
• Experience in leading/managing teams/staff

Additional Criteria

• Driving license holder and access to transport to allow travel across the county as required.

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.