Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate and innovative Clinical or Forensic Psychologist to join our team at Youth First. 

Youth First is part of the national NHS(E) community forensic child and adolescent mental health service (FCAMHS) which comprises of 13 teams across England. We cover the West Midlands region which includes Birmingham and Solihull, the Black Country, Coventry and Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Community FCAMHS is commissioned to provide a forensic service for young people who present a significant risk of harm to others in the context of complex mental health and/ or neurodevelopmental difficulties.

Youth First primarily offers advice and consultation to professionals and agencies (including CAMHS, Education, Youth Justice, Care Providers, Social Care and the Voluntary/ Third Sector) working with risky young people living in the community, local authority care, secure estate or inpatient setting. When deemed appropriate, we also undertake forensic and mental health assessments and a range of assessments within our Learning Disability Autism (LDA) pathway. We also offer teaching and training to external agencies where a need has been identified.

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the role includes supporting the duty system, holding a small clinical case load, service development, research and evaluation, and teaching and training. Clinical practice and quality improvement are embedded within a robust Secure Care Offender Health governance framework. The team ethos actively promotes staff progression and staff well-being including dedicated time for reflective practice, supervision and continuing professional development. The service operates a hybrid model with the option of office and home working and there is opportunity for flexible working arrangements which accord with the demands of the service.

In addition to being located within Youth First, the post holder will also be part of the Trust’s wider Secure Care and Offender Health (SCOH) psychology service. This will provide an opportunity to connect with and seek support from with a range of psychological practitioners, participate in division-wide service development and quality improvement forums and access model-specific supervision groups.

This is an exciting opportunity for a psychologist to join an established and dedicated forensic team and in doing so develop their skills and expertise, contribute to service innovation and quality improvement of local and national FCAMHS and be part of making a difference in the lives of young people and their family. 

Working for our organisation

Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.  Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year.  We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community.  If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.