Assistant Psychologist Aberystwyth £24,500 - £26,500

Role Responsibility:

Assistant Psychologist (MHTR Team)

Location: Aberystwyth and surrounding area. 

£24,500 - £26,500 per annum

Permanent, Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

G4S in Wales are a key provider of criminal justice services- operating in both the custodial and community sectors.  We pride ourselves on the quality of our provision and we consistently seek to work alongside and in partnership with a range of other providers in the voluntary (third), public and private sectors.

We have developed services which are focused on identifying ways to maximise positive impact and make the most effective use of available resources by working with other agencies on common objectives.  In this way we are increasingly able to meet wide ranging and complex needs in the most appropriate way.

We have a commitment to research, evaluation and review of evidence based initiatives.

We value and, where possible, contribute to research into reducing re-offending and therefore we recognise the importance of understanding the wider environment in which individuals operate and this informs us about how best to engage, support and help people with change.

We seek to employ people with drive and energy and a real interest in innovation and teamwork – working beyond traditional organisational boundaries.

People find themselves before the courts as a result of a range of incidents and circumstances that can arise from a range of pressures, difficulties and challenges. When it comes to sentencing, courts can impose community sentences that are designed to help people to overcome the factors that lead to their offending behaviour and to move on with their lives with lower risks of further such difficulty. For those whose offences are linked with mental illness or distress, the Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTR) may be imposed.

We firmly believe that people deserve the opportunity to access support, irrespective of background and irrespective of what has happened in their lives. Often that support is just out of reach and difficulties escalate due to unmet needs. We know that mental distress is often linked with the commission of offences. The MHTR has been available for many years, but has not been widely used. This role is a part of a new package of provision to support greater use of the MHTR across Wales.

The purpose of this role is to e one of a team of APs who help establish whether individuals are suitable for psychological support via assessments undertaken at pre-sentence stage. Once an Order is imposed with an MHTR attached, then a programme of around 12 therapy sessions is provided that is co-produced with the participant and helps them to identify and understand difficulties they face and to learn ways of managing themselves more positively and healthily. If further work or specialist support is needed, you will help identify and access that help as a part of your work. The 12 sessions will have a mid term and end of therapy review. Your support will form a key part of that individual’s pathway to rehabilitation and return to an offence free lifestyle.

This is hugely a positive role - you will be supported by MHTR Psychologists who will provide clinical oversight and support. You will also be supported by the G4S Community team, working alongside our other services and you will work closely with Probation and the Courts. Together the vision is to help people overcome challenges, to support themselves, to lead good lives that contribute to their wellbeing, the wellbeing of others and that contribute to their communities.

Key Responsilities

• Completing psychological assessments/screening tools to identify needs.
• Delivering tailored as well as structured and manualised group and 1:1 interventions and support sessions to participants.
• Managing a caseload of people who have an MHTR as a part of a community sentence.
• Taking advantage of opportunities to develop a strong understanding of how mental distress links with risks of offending, developing a sensitivity to risk factors.
• Providing self-help materials, reviewing progress and making onward referrals and/or signposts for further information.
• Tailoring your support to address risk factors and communicating changes in a clear and timely manner to Probation colleagues.
• Discussing risks with senior colleagues and liaising with relevant health of justice agencies where imminent risks are identified.
• Communicating effectively and accurately verbally and in written form with colleagues in Probation and the Courts with regards referrals, assessments and interventions.
• Working with substance support colleagues for participants who have mental health and substance needs.
• Work collaboratively with external healthcare and support providers where relevant and contributing to a directory of local contacts and services as a resource for al staff.
• Participating fully in the collective work of the MHTR Team, helping colleagues, working collaboratively and cooperatively to meet the needs of the service.
• Delivering training / cascading learning to staff members to raise awareness of dual diagnosis and other aspects of the service.
• Engage in regular supervision with Chartered Forensic Psychologists and Forensic Psychologists in Training.
• Contribute to the delivery of key support activities, ensuring work is completed in time and to a high standard in line with contractual requirements
• Ensure all case information is accurately recorded and communicated via appropriate case management systems such as Palbase and Delius (our / Probation databases).

The Ideal Candidate:

Essential Skills

• A relevant academic qualification within the area of Psychology.
• An interest in pursuing a career within the field of Psychology and / or criminal justice.
• Experience of working within a criminal justice / mental health setting.
• A good understanding of how to support individuals with co-occurring needs.
• A strong engager, able to connect with a range of people.
• Ability to organise own workload and contribute to collective team duties.
• Full driving licence and access to own transport to travel across the specified area to deliver in-person support.

Desirable Skills

• Experience of working with individuals with dual diagnosis.
• Experience of working within a psychology team.
• Have prior experience of delivering structured psychological interventions.
• The ability to speak and work through the medium of Welsh would be an advantage.
• Confidence with remote communication packages.

Equality and Diversity is an important part of G4S Care and Rehabilitation Services. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and are a fully inclusive employer who aims to support all employees to be their true selves. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments for either the role or during the recruitment process.

G4S Care and Rehabilitation Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children and adults at risk and each employee is expected to support these goals.

Please note that these vacancies are subject to a 5 year checkable history and the strict vetting standards set by G4S and the Secretary of State for the Home Office.

You must be eligible to work in the UK and must have been resident in the UK for a minimum period of 3 years. You will also need to provide full details of your employment and education history for the last 5 years as part of the security screening process for this role.

Please note that applicants must complete a 200 - 400 word statement outlining their suitability for the role and clearly outlining how your skills, experience and knowledge would apply to this post.