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Job summary

Main area
Mental Health
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
437-7406222
Employer
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
HMP Buckley Hall
Town
Rochdale
Salary
£31,049 - £37,796 Per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
04/11/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust logo

Senior Assistant Psychologist

NHS AfC: Band 5

Job overview

Health and Justice Services part of GMMH Specialist Service Care Group are looking to recruit a Senior Assistant psychologist to work within the integrated mental health team at HMP Buckley Hall, which is a male category C prison in Rochdale.

We are seeking a full-time Band 5 Assistant psychologist to support the delivery of the psychological provision, utilising a stepped care approach, with service users presenting to the mental health team. The post holder will work closely with the current psychological professions staff, which include Practitioner psychologists and a PWP. The post holder will be an integrative part of the wider MDT which includes Mental Health Nurses, Psychiatrists, Advanced Clinical Practitioners and Health and Well-Being Practitioners.

The Senior Assistant psychologist will be expected to support the completion of psychological mental health assessments and co-create individualised formulations and actions plans. As a Senior Assistant psychologist, the post holder will be expected to provide individual intervention at the stepped 2 and 3 delivery of care and co-facilitate group interventions. 

Working within a prison environment can be a challenging place to work, we are seeking someone with strong clinical and interpersonal skills who are able to manage and respond to the dynamic needs of the team, the client group and the environment, to ensure that provision is accessible and appropriate.

Main duties of the job

Health and Justice Services part of GMMH Specialist Service Care Group are looking to recruit a Senior Assistant psychologist to work within the integrated mental health team at HMP Buckley Hall, which is a male category C prison in Rochdale.

We are seeking a full-time Band 5 Assistant psychologist to support the delivery of the psychological provision, utilising a stepped care approach, with service users presenting to the mental health team. The post holder will work closely with the current psychological professions staff, which include Practitioner psychologists and a PWP. The post holder will be an integrative part of the wider MDT which includes Mental Health Nurses, Psychiatrists, Advanced Clinical Practitioners and Health and Well-Being Practitioners.

The Senior Assistant psychologist will be expected to support the completion of psychological mental health assessments and co-create individualised formulations and actions plans. As a Senior Assistant psychologist, the post holder will be expected to provide individual intervention at the stepped 2 and 3 delivery of care and co-facilitate group interventions. 

Working within a prison environment can be a challenging place to work, we are seeking someone with strong clinical and interpersonal skills who are able to manage and respond to the dynamic needs of the team, the client group and the environment, to ensure that provision is accessible and appropriate.

Working for our organisation

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification

Staff benefits

  • 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
  • Excellent pension
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Salary sacrifice car scheme
  • Wellbeing programme
  • Blue Light Card Discounts
  • fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Honours degree in Psychology (2:1 minimum).
Desirable criteria
  • Additional training in clinical delivery methods, such as risk assessments or therapeutic intervention

training

Essential criteria
  • Eligibility for Graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS). We are unable to shortlist any applicant who does not clearly state this on their application form.
Desirable criteria
  • Post-graduate training in a relevant area of psychology

Experience

Essential criteria
  • At least two years post-degree experience.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of administering and contributing to psychological and neurological assessments for example, WAIS, ABAS.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previous experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist or similar role within psychological services
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working within a custodial, secure or inpatient environment. Experience of working with an offending population.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Clear evidence of conducting assessment and intervention. Delivery of group and/or individual work
Desirable criteria
  • Awareness of the diverse needs of individuals accessing mental health support

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge and awareness of the factors that contribute to offending behaviour, complex emotional and relational needs and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Desirable criteria
  • Awareness of stepped care approach to mental health care and provision.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardWe are a Living Wage EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyHSJ Best places to workDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeWe offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.Disability confident employerGM Good Employment Charter

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Mairead Hughes
Job title
Clinical Psychologist
Additional information

[email protected]

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