Principal Psychologist

Practice Plus Group; Leyland; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Part time

Job summary

A health services provider is looking for a Principal Psychologist to join their Mental Health team at HMP Garth. The position involves managing psychological services, providing oversight to a team, and delivering evidence-based interventions. Candidates must be qualified psychologists registered with the HCPC, with experience in trauma-informed care and a solid understanding of mental health issues in a prison environment. This part-time role offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Bespoke induction training

Career development opportunities

Employee assistance helpline

Discounts on shopping and leisure activities

Qualifications

• Qualified clinical, counselling or forensic psychologist.
• Experience in delivering psychological assessments and interventions.
• Critical awareness of psychological models applicable in prison settings.

Responsibilities

• Support the trauma-informed mental health service model.
• Oversee the Integrated Mental Health Team.
• Conduct psychological assessments and interventions.
• Provide teaching and training to staff.

Skills

Clinical psychology experience

Understanding of mental health needs

Ability to develop trauma-informed services

Teaching and training skills

Education

Postgraduate qualification in psychological therapy

Registered with HCPC

Job description

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Psychologist to join our integrated Mental Health team at HMP Garth. HMP Thameside is a Category B remand prison located in South East London, close to Plumstead and Woolwich Arsenal stations. The prison houses around 1,232 patients with a variety of needs, including complex and acute mental health needs. We are seeking a strong clinical, forensic or counselling psychologist who has previously worked within a fully integrated mental health service and understands the needs of the psychological services required and delivered within a prison healthcare setting. As part of this role you will be managing a Preceptorship Psychologist and Clinical Associate Psychologist, as well as developing the psychological services at a busy remand site where many patients only stay short term.

Hours & Salary

Hours: 2.5 days per week between Monday to Friday 9 am‑5 pm. This can be worked on a biweekly rolling rota.

Salary: This is a part‑time role. You’ll receive an annual salary of £64,455 to £74,896 per annum, pro‑rated for the part‑time hours, depending on experience and full‑time equivalent.

How we support you

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

Main duties of the job

As a Principal Psychologist, your responsibilities will vary and may include the following:

• Support the development and embedding of a trauma‑informed mental health service model across sites
• Offer clinical support and oversight to the Integrated Mental Health Team (IMHT)
• Undertake psychological assessments
• Support complex multi‑disciplinary formulations
• Deliver psychological interventions to cases of complexity
• Deliver and oversee 1:1 and group interventions as part of the Trauma‑Informed "Making Sense" Programme
• Deliver teaching and training to healthcare and prison staff where required
• Contribute to the development of audit, service evaluation and research profile as appropriate

Benefits and support

• Discounts on shopping and leisure activities
• Support to grow in your role and continue your professional development
• 24/7 employee assistance helpline and financial assistance when you need it

Candidate requirements

• Qualified clinical, counselling or forensic psychologist and registered with the HCPC as a practitioner psychologist
• Postgraduate qualification/training in at least one specific mode of psychological therapy relevant to people with severe and long‑standing mental health difficulties (e.g. CBT, systemic/family therapy, mindfulness‑based therapies, CAT, DBT, mentalisation, schema therapy)
• Critical awareness of a range of psychological models applicable to delivering psychological approaches in remand prisons
• Working knowledge of current good practice and recent government policies relating to health services and professional guidelines

UK Registration & Disclosure

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Practice Plus Group

Garth Prison, Ulnes Walton Lane, Leyland, Lancashire, PR268NE

Website: https://practiceplusgroup.com/our-jobs/join-our-team/