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Posted 1 day(s) ago
Reference: C9369-26-0690
Job summary
We are looking for an Assistant Psychologist to join our highly valued Forensic Personality Disorder Service (FPDS). The team is based at Easby House at Langdon Hospital in Dawlish and offers high quality, psychologically informed service for individuals with a diagnosis of personality disorder and a forensic background.
FPDS aims to reduce length of stay for patients with a primary diagnosis of personality disorder and to reduce the use of out of area or specialist personality disorder placements, to support/facilitate the use of in region beds. FPDS work closely with inpatient and community teams to support patient care pathways. This may include reflective practice, training and consultation, as well as more direct work with patients.
The role is dynamic and challenging. You will work alongside the multidisciplinary team to support individuals journeys through secure care and their transition back to the community.
In joining the FPDS you will be part of a wider group of psychological professionals working across community secure transition services, prison mental health in-reach and the Offender Personality Disorder pathway.
This Advert may be closed prior to the closing date due to volume of applications so please do not delay in submitting your application as no further applications will be accepted once the vacancy is closed.
Main duties of the job
This role will include supporting the team with formulations, risk assessment, training, consultation, audits and psychological interventions under the supervision of a senior psychologist.
To be successful in this role, you will need to be enthusiastic, forward thinking and emotionally resilient with a passion and commitment to supporting people with a diagnosis of personality disorder and complex mental health difficulties.
You will have some knowledge and experience of group work and individual therapeutic contact and be able to demonstrate your capacity to apply psychological knowledge in a mental health and forensic context.
Flexibility in approach is important as is the ability to work as part of a team, working to ensure that every patient receives high quality care. The role involves communication, so we expect that you have excellent verbal and written skills.
The post holder will work closely with colleagues in the wider Community Forensic Service and will be embedded within Devons Secure Services Directorate. There will be opportunities to receive training with the wider assistant and trainee psychologist group.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Details
Date posted
15 September 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
£32,073 to £39,043 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
C9369-26-0690
Job locations
Easby House
Langdon Hospital
Exeter Road
Dawlish
Devon
EX7 0NR
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
The principal purpose of the job is to improve the psychological health & wellbeing of people with mental health difficulties within the Forensic Personality Disorder Service (FPDS).
This will be achieved in this post by:
1. Providing a Psychology and Psychological Therapies service to the Forensic Personality Disorder Service, and the wider Community Forensic Services, as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services to Devon Partnership Trust.
2. Implementing specific assessment and clinical care packages and providing advice and consultancy to patients, family members, carers and professionals within standard operating procedures under the supervision and management of the Professional Lead.
3. The post holder will be supported by the Professional Lead and also by FPDS and senior colleagues within the psychology department. The post holder will be expected to make good use of the expertise of others within the service to further develop their clinical knowledge and skills relevant to a clinical and staff population in a forensic mental health service.
4. To work within professional guidelines and Devon Partnership Trust procedures and protocols.
5. The post holder will receive regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society or appropriate designated Professional Body
Job description
Job responsibilities
The principal purpose of the job is to improve the psychological health & wellbeing of people with mental health difficulties within the Forensic Personality Disorder Service (FPDS).
This will be achieved in this post by:
1. Providing a Psychology and Psychological Therapies service to the Forensic Personality Disorder Service, and the wider Community Forensic Services, as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services to Devon Partnership Trust.
2. Implementing specific assessment and clinical care packages and providing advice and consultancy to patients, family members, carers and professionals within standard operating procedures under the supervision and management of the Professional Lead.
3. The post holder will be supported by the Professional Lead and also by FPDS and senior colleagues within the psychology department. The post holder will be expected to make good use of the expertise of others within the service to further develop their clinical knowledge and skills relevant to a clinical and staff population in a forensic mental health service.
4. To work within professional guidelines and Devon Partnership Trust procedures and protocols.
5. The post holder will receive regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society or appropriate designated Professional Body
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree at 2:1 or above in psychology or a BA or BSc (Hons) in modular studies incl. psychology & related fields. The degree qualification must render the applicant eligible for graduate membership of the BPS.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, health and social care practice, and / or research design and analysis
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 12 months Assistant Psychologist experience in a related setting
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Experience of providing psychological intervention (individual or group work)Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health, mental health and offence context
- Relevant clinical and research skills. Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
- Relevant clinical and research skills
- Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
- Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health, mental health and offence context
- Excellent communication skills (see person spec for further details)
- Analytical and judgement skills (see person spec for further details)
- Planning and organising skills (see person spec for further details)
- IT skills (see person spec for further details)
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with a diagnosis of personality disorder and complex mental health needs
- Experience of working within a mental health or forensic setting
- Experience of psychological assessment including the use of psychometric tests
- Experience of providing teaching, training and/or supervision
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Ability to work independently within defined occupational procedures and use initiative.
- Ability to work as a member of a clinical team and to work collaboratively, flexibly and supportively.
- Ability to tolerate ambiguity, and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts.
- Ability to be mobile across geographical areas.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree at 2:1 or above in psychology or a BA or BSc (Hons) in modular studies incl. psychology & related fields. The degree qualification must render the applicant eligible for graduate membership of the BPS.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, health and social care practice, and / or research design and analysis
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 12 months Assistant Psychologist experience in a related setting
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Experience of providing psychological intervention (individual or group work)Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health, mental health and offence context
- Relevant clinical and research skills. Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
- Relevant clinical and research skills
- Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
- Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health, mental health and offence context
- Excellent communication skills (see person spec for further details)
- Analytical and judgement skills (see person spec for further details)
- Planning and organising skills (see person spec for further details)
- IT skills (see person spec for further details)
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with a diagnosis of personality disorder and complex mental health needs
- Experience of working within a mental health or forensic setting
- Experience of psychological assessment including the use of psychometric tests
- Experience of providing teaching, training and/or supervision
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Ability to work independently within defined occupational procedures and use initiative.
- Ability to work as a member of a clinical team and to work collaboratively, flexibly and supportively.
- Ability to tolerate ambiguity, and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts.
- Ability to be mobile across geographical areas.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Address
Easby House
Langdon Hospital
Exeter Road
Dawlish
Devon
EX7 0NR
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Address
Easby House
Langdon Hospital
Exeter Road
Dawlish
Devon
EX7 0NR
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)