Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical, Forensic, Counselling)

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Radlett; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health trust in the United Kingdom seeks a Practitioner Psychologist to join their Enhanced Risk Assessment Team. This pivotal role requires expertise in risk assessment, leadership, and training development. The successful candidate will play a significant part in shaping the service, ensuring best practices, and contributing to innovative research. The position offers a competitive salary range of £50,008 to £56,908 annually for a full-time and flexible working arrangement.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in risk assessment and management within mental health.
• Proven leadership skills in service development.
• Experience in producing publications or facilitating training.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Enhanced Risk Assessment Team in developing training.
• Ensure quality assurance in risk assessment reports.
• Contribute to research outputs and publications.

Skills

Risk assessment

Leadership

Communication

Data analysis

Training delivery

Education

Postgraduate qualification in risk assessment, forensic mental health

HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist

MSc in Forensic Psychology or equivalent experience

Tools

Statistical software

Job description

Go back Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical, Forensic, Counselling)

The closing date is 12 December 2025

The Enhanced Risk Assessment Team is an innovative team created in response to the need for a more effective way of managing service users who may pose a risk to others. We have been functioning for three years and each year we have grown in the number of referrals, teams, and methods. This newly created role will play a pivotal part in shaping the future direction of the service, ensuring that colleagues across the Trust are equipped with expertise, resources, and confidence to work effectively with service users who may present a risk to others. You will work closely with the Clinical Lead to approve written reports, facilitate meetings with complex cases, lead on developing and facilitating our training programme, and take an active role in our research.

Main duties of the job

As a senior member of the team, the postholder will work closely with the Clinical Lead to provide leadership and oversight during this next stage of expansion. Key responsibilities will include:

• Quality Assurance and Oversight - supporting the Clinical Lead in editing, reviewing, and approving risk assessment reports to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency across the service.
• Training and Development - designing, delivering, and evaluating high‑quality training programmes for colleagues across the Trust, embedding best practice in risk assessment and management.
• Research and Innovation - analysing service data, producing research outputs, and contributing to publications that evidence impact and drive continuous improvement.
• Consultancy and Support - offering expert advice and guidance to teams across the Trust, strengthening confidence and capability in managing complex cases.
• Leadership and Growth - modelling collaborative, inclusive leadership and supporting the team to embed a culture of learning, reflection, and innovation.

Additionally, there could be the opportunity to take up therapeutic work across the Forensic Service, including in the Primary Mental Health Treatment Requirement Team.

There is also opportunity to get experience with supervision, dependent on the needs and interests of the post holder and the service.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.

Our family of over 4000 staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.

The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers – everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Our Trust values are: Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Job responsibilities

Values and Culture Enhanced Risk Assessment Team

The Enhanced Risk Assessment Team is built on a foundation of person‑centred, holistic practice. We recognise that risk cannot be understood in isolation, and our formulations always consider the individuals' strengths, lived experience, culture, and background. By embedding inclusivity and diversity into every aspect of our work, we ensure that our assessments and recommendations are meaningful, respectful, and tailored to the unique needs of each service user.

We are committed to innovation as a driver of growth and improvement. The team actively seeks out new approaches, research, and methods that enhance our ability to support colleagues across the Trust. Creativity and curiosity are encouraged, ensuring that our work not only meets current needs but also anticipates future challenges.

Equally, we place a strong emphasis on compassion and collaboration. We support one another within the team and extend that same ethos to our colleagues across the Trust. Psychological safety, open communication, and mutual respect underpin our culture, enabling us to thrive even in complex and high‑pressure contexts.

Together, these values shape a team that is:

• Personcentred prioritising holistic, culturally informed formulations.
• Innovative embracing new ideas and evidence to continually improve practice.
• Compassionate fostering kindness, empathy, and support within the team and across the Trust.
• Collaborative working in partnership to strengthen confidence and capability in managing risk.

Key Relationships

The postholder will liaise with colleagues in HPFT, Adult Care Services (ACS) and Hertfordshire external agencies. In addition, the postholder will work with colleagues across the forensic service to better develop integrated working relationships.

Person Specification Enhanced Risk Assessment Team (Leadership Role)

• Qualifications & Professional Registration
  • Relevant professional qualification (e.g. psychology, nursing, social work, psychiatry) with current registration where applicable.
• Experience
  • Significant experience in risk assessment and management within mental health or related services.
  • Proven track record of leading or supporting service development, training, or consultancy.
  • Experience of editing, reviewing, and assuring the quality of clinical or research reports.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyse complex data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Knowledge & Skills
  • In‑depth understanding of risk assessment frameworks, safeguarding, and legal/ethical considerations.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and facilitate training programmes.
  • Research literacy, including experience in producing publications or contributing to evidence‑based practice.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and services, providing expert consultancy and support.
• Leadership & Personal Attributes
  • Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to motivate, support, and develop colleagues.
  • Commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and strengths‑based approaches in service delivery.
  • High level of resilience, adaptability, and problem‑solving in complex or high‑pressure situations.
  • Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to balance strategic priorities and operational demands.
• Qualifications
  • Postgraduate qualification in risk assessment, forensic mental health, or related field.
• Experience
  • Previous involvement in service evaluation, innovation, or Trust‑wide improvement initiatives.
  • Experience of publishing in peer‑reviewed journals or presenting at conferences.
• Knowledge & Skills
  • Advanced data analysis skills, including use of statistical software or research methodologies.
  • Familiarity with financial or resource planning in service development contexts.
• Leadership & Personal Attributes
  • Evidence of influencing organisational strategy or policy development.
  • Ability to represent the Trust externally and build strong partnerships with stakeholders.

Knowledge

• HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist
• MSc in Forensic Psychology or equivalent experience
• Trained in use of HCR‑20 or equivalent experience with risk assessment tools

Experience

• Experience of working in a forensic setting
• Experience of assessments or creating risk management plans
• Experience of facilitating training courses or with presentations
• Experience of conducting, writing, or publishing research
• Knowledge or experience of report writing and editing
• Experience of providing therapeutic intervention
• Experience of providing supervision
• Experience of working within the criminal justice system

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.

£50,008 to £56,908 a year pro rata (inclusive of 5% HCAS)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full‑time, Flexible working, Home or remote working