Full job descriptionAssistant PsychologistNHS AfC: Band 4Main area

Forensic Intellectual Disabilities
Grade

NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract

12 months (12 months fixed term contract)
Hours

Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref

367-LD&F-101619
Site

Warren Court
Town

Abbots Langley
Salary

£29,812 - £32,715 per annum, pro rata (inclusive of 5% HCAS)
Salary period

Yearly
Closing

20/09/2026 23:59
Values Based ScreenerAt Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust we are looking for people to join us who share our values and those of the NHS. Before your application can be considered please take part on our online values questionnaire, which you can find below. When you have finished you will be sent a ’completion code’ by email, which will be valid for 6 months and required to submit your application form.


Job overviewThe post holder will support and enhance the psychological care of service users within Warren Court Forensic Services by providing psychological assessment and interventions under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. The post holder will work independently within an agreed plan and the overall framework of service policies and procedures. The role also includes clinical administration, audit and research activity, and contributions to teaching and training programmes.
Main duties of the job· Undertake protocol-based psychological assessments using psychological measures, including psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, risk assessments, direct and indirect structured observations, and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in service users’ care.
· Assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving psychological treatment and/or management of service users’ difficulties, under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist.
· Assist in the delivery and evaluation of group treatment programmes, including offence-focused programmes appropriate to the service.
· Work with the staff team to assess service users and review care in preparation for multidisciplinary reviews and CPA meetings.
· Assist in developing psychologically informed frameworks of understanding and care across settings where care is provided.
· Attend and contribute to appropriate multidisciplinary meetings.
Working for our organisationHertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of ’Outstanding’ from the Care Quality Commission.
Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Detailed job description and main responsibilitiesDuties and Responsibilities :
Clinical Responsibility
· Undertake protocol-based psychological assessments using psychological measures, including psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, risk assessments, direct and indirect structured observations, and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in service users’ care.
· Assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving psychological treatment and/or management of service users’ difficulties, under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist.
· Assist in the delivery and evaluation of group treatment programmes, including offence-focused programmes appropriate to the service.
· Work with the staff team to assess service users and review care in preparation for multidisciplinary reviews and CPA meetings.
· Assist in developing psychologically informed frameworks of understanding and care across settings where care is provided.
· Attend and contribute to appropriate multidisciplinary meetings.
Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility
· Receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
· Develop skills and competencies required to deliver current duties and gain broader experience of professional psychology within the NHS.
· Contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care, particularly in relation to learning disabilities, offending behaviour, mental health and personality disorder.
· This post does not carry formal line-management, recruitment, appraisal or disciplinary responsibility.
Financial Responsibility
· Use Trust equipment, psychological materials and other resources responsibly and in accordance with local procedures.
· The post does not hold delegated budgetary responsibility.
Service Development and Improvement
· Assist in the design and implementation of service-development projects as required.
· Attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.
· Contribute to service evaluation, audit and quality-improvement activity.
Communications
· Communicate effectively with service users who may have significant limitations in comprehension and expression, adapting communication to individual needs.
· Communicate sensitive and complex information to service users, families, carers, colleagues and partner agencies in a clear, respectful and accessible way.
· Produce written records, reports, presentations and correspondence to a high professional standard.
· Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, other HPFT services and relevant criminal justice colleagues.
For full details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role please refer to the job description and person specification documents attached.
Person specificationExperienceEssential criteria*Honours Degree in Psychology (2:1 or above)
*Experience of working with people with Learning Disabilities
Desirable criteria*MSc Forensic Psychology or equivalent
*Experience of working within forensic and secure settings
Please note, we do not charge fees for job applications, recruitment processes, sponsorship arrangements, or employment offers. Please see the Trust careers vacancy webpage and Trac as the only authorised routes for recruitment communications, applications and verification of job offers.
Employer certification / accreditation badges...