Specialist Clinical/Counselling Forensic Psychologist

NHS; Worcester; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Worcester seeks a full-time Clinical/Counselling Forensic Psychologist to join their Forensic Support Service. You will work with patients with complex presentations, conducting specialist assessments and therapy. The role requires a Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology and offers a salary between £64,455 and £74,896, along with generous benefits.

Benefits

27 days leave plus bank holidays

NHS pension

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Post-qualification training in evidence-based techniques for complex psychological presentations.
• Evidence of continuous professional training as required by HCPC and BPS.

Responsibilities

• Conducting specialist assessments and therapy to support patient rehabilitation.
• Engaging in clinical audit and quality improvement initiatives.
• Building strong relationships with multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Communication skills

Psychometric assessment skills

Therapeutic relationship development

Project management in clinical practice

Presentation and teaching skills

Education

BSc/BA Honours degree in Psychology

Post-graduate Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology

Registration with HCPC as a Clinical Psychologist

Job description

Overview

Job summary We are excited to be recruiting a full time (37.5 hrs) Clinical/Counselling Forensic Psychologist who is passionate about working with patients with complex presentations, for our recently developed Forensic Support Service (FSS). Supported by the Reach Out Provider Collaborative, the specialist FSS will be based across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, improving the interface between specialised services and community services, enhancing the efficiency of transitions of care for patients with significant risk histories, improving patient flow through the whole care pathway.

The aim of the service is to contribute to the successful transition of forensic patients out of secure inpatient services and support their continued recovery and risk management in the community. This is an exciting opportunity, for an experienced psychologist, to help shape and develop the service from its very beginnings.

The service runs Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00hrs and the ability to travel across both counties is essential to this post.

Role and duties

• The role will include conducting specialist assessments, 1:1 and group therapy and clinical/risk formulation to support patient rehabilitation, as well as offering advice and consultation to reduce the likelihood of escalation of risks and prevent avoidable (re)admissions.
• Contributing to the MDT forensic consultation process.
• Engaging in clinical audit and quality improvement initiatives.
• Contributing to training in relation to psychological concepts, interventions and tools.
• Clinically supervise other psychological professionals in other teams.
• Autonomous working is required in the development of the role and the successful candidate will be required to build strong working relationships with colleagues from a broad range of forensic, acute and community disciplines, both within and externally to the Trust, to understand service needs and support the development of the new service. Use of evaluation and quality improvement methodologies will be an important part of service development and monitoring of outcomes.

About us

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust provides community hospitals, community health services and mental health/learning disability services across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We offer flexible working options and support staff development and wellbeing.

We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities.

What we offer

• 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
• Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay for unsocial hours
• Flexible and agile working opportunities
• Great maternity, paternity, and adoption support
• Wide range of supportive staff networks
• Health and wellbeing opportunities

If you would like to know more, please visit our website. We encourage reading the attached applicant guidance notes.

Sharing your data - As a data controller we may process your data to pursue legitimate business interests, for example to request a survey from you to support the Trust’s understanding of where you gained interest in working for the Trust.

Details

Date posted: 05 November 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8b

Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: C9798-1808

Job locations: Studdert Kennedy House, Spring Gardens, Worcester WR1 2AE

Responsibilities

Behave consistently with the values and beliefs of the organisation and promote these on a day-to-day basis.

Act as a role model to colleagues, always seeking to maintain the highest standards of professionalism.

Use their initiative and take responsibility for themselves, the quality of their work and the service they provide to patients.

Be responsible and accountable for ensuring the development and delivery of a highly specialist psychology service.

Ensure that psychological services are based on best clinical and professional practice, in accordance with the objectives of the Trust and the Service Delivery Unit and/or Specialty.

Hold a specialist caseload of patients who have offended, are in danger of offending, or who are victims of criminal offending, as well as offering generic psychological interventions to Community services in agreed localities.

In collaboration with the Service Lead for Psychological Interventions and with the specialty lead, develop and support the implementation of psychological interventions and psychologically informed practice within the wider service.

For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached.

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• BSc/BA Honours degree at 2:1 or above in Psychology
• Post-graduate Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Or Doctorate in Forensic Psychology (as accredited by the BPS)
• Or MSc in Forensic Psychology plus Stage 2 qualification in Forensic Psychology (as accredited by the BPS)
• Post qualification training/experience in specific, evidence-based techniques for use with clients with complex psychological presentations, physical health and/or forensic needs, across the age span
• Evidence of regular further professional training and experience as required by HCPC and the BPS
• Eligible for registration as a Chartered Psychologist (Clinical or Counselling or Forensic) by the BPS
• Eligible for registration as a Practitioner member of the BPS Division of Clinical/Counselling Psychology
• Registered with HCPC as a Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychologist
• I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer.

Desirable

• Related academic qualifications to masters or doctorate level

Knowledge

• Advanced theoretical and applied knowledge of psychological approaches for people with psychological problems including specialised assessments and interventions for patients with complex presentations and forensic conditions
• Well-developed psychometric assessment skills
• Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology, including complex multivariate data analysis

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English in both verbal and written formats
• Highly developed and effective communication skills for sensitive information
• Advanced ability to develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship
• Able to communicate effectively within the team
• Good presentation and teaching skills; able to use multi-media materials
• Ability to use IT equipment, literature searches and patient information systems
• Able to project-manage changes in clinical practice and governance
• Able to prioritise own work in a high-stress environment
• Committed to promoting patients’ rights, independence and choice

Additional criteria

• Able to meet the travel requirements of the post

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and will require a DBS disclosure.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Studdert Kennedy House, Spring Gardens, Worcester, WR1 2AE