JOB DESCRIPTION

For Personnel use only

Job reference number:ST&T1183

Job Title: Assistant Psychologist/Research Assistant (Band 4) – Mental Health Treatment Requirement
Service
Reports to (post title): Clinical Lead
Role Purpose:

To promote the psychological health and well-being of service users made subject to Mental Health
Treatment Requirements (MHTRs) by the criminal courts. The post holder will work as a member of a
welcoming integrated team providing psychological and psychosocial interventions to service users
experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties; this will include individuals who may present
with depression, anxiety, trauma, personality disorders, learning difficulties and neurodiversity. The role
will include supporting and working alongside service users in a collaborative, therapeutic partnership
and participation in the development and provision therapeutic activities/psycho-educational
programmes and self-management interventions under the supervision of the Clinical Lead.

The post holder will support the team to undertake screening. The role will also include signposting to
relevant third-party organisations and so the post holder will be required to make links within the local
community. The post holder will complete clinically related administration and assist with project work
under the guidance of the Clinical Lead. As part of this role the post holder will also be involved in
service development and promotion of service and supporting the delivering training and awareness of
the MHTR. Liaison with, and development/maintenance of robust relationships with partner agencies is
key for this service. A key part of this role will be the collection and management of data related to
service user experience and outcomes. This will assist in the evaluation of the service, both at a local
and national level. The post holder will also assist in conducting audit, service evaluation projects,
research and literature reviews across the wider Community Forensic Services.

The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters
when necessary and should be committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Role Context:
The Mental Health Treatment Requirement Services (MHTR) is a community-based psychological
therapy service based at Westminster House in Nottingham and is a service managed as a part of the
Low Secure and Community Forensic Care Group. The MHTR service delivers assessment, advice,
consultation and a range of specialised psychotherapeutic interventions to individuals with mild to
moderate mental health difficulties as part of a community sentence. The service is led by a Clinical
Psychologist and this post holder will work alongside a Specialist Mental Health Practitioner and a
Senior Assistant Psychologist.

An MHTR is one of three treatment options available to Magistrates’ and Judges as part of community
sentencing. The MHTR is designed to help people who experience mental health difficulties. It is an
opportunity for someone to engage with treatment while still receiving a sentence: a form of diversion
within rather than away from the criminal justice system, but outside custody. An MHTR can provide
access to necessary treatment and support that the person might otherwise have had difficulty
accessing.

The MHTR aims to reduce offending/reoffending by improving the health and social outcomes through
rapid access to effective individualised treatment requirements. It provides alternatives to short
custodial sentences for offenders by providing access to treatment which addresses the underlying
cause of the offending behaviours. The MHTRs can improve health outcomes by providing evidence-
based interventions, alongside GP registration and supported access to appropriate community
services, as necessary.

Service development and delivery includes ensuring strong links with Criminal Justice services, Liaison
& Diversion Service, Primary Care, AMH services, Local Authority, Forensic, and third sector agencies.

Trust Values

All colleagues are expected to demonstrate at interview and throughout employment that they act in line
with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values:

Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork

Key Accountabilities Performance Measures

Working Practice

To work as a member of a specialist team working with Caseload supervision. Attendance at

service users who are accessing criminal justice services supervision.
due to alleged offending behaviour.

Participate in team based decisions on suitability of new Caseload and clinical supervision.
referrals, adhering to the service referral protocols, support
onward referrals of unsuitable clients on to the relevant
service or back to the referral agent as necessary. This
work will take place under the supervision of the Clinical
Lead Psychologist

Support people with a mild to moderate common mental Caseload supervision. Attendance at
health problems in the self-management of their recovery supervision. Service user and staff
through delivery and evaluation of interventions, under feedback.
supervision.

To work with a small number of people with mild to Caseload supervision. Attendance at
moderate common mental health problems in the self- supervision. Service user and staff
management of their recovery through delivery of feedback. RiO, assessment documents
formulation driven care plans, the provision of psychological
therapy and the evaluation of interventions, under
supervision.
RiO, assessment documents
Educate and involve family members and others in
treatment as necessary.
Completed audits. Attendance at
Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or supervision
clients in treatment, where appropriate.
Completed audits
Support data collection and analysis, for both clinical and
service evaluation, as required. This will include collecting
and reviewing a variety of data such as psychometric
scores, interview data, historical information, literature
searches. It may also involve data analysis and report
writing under supervision. This role will cover a number of
services across the Community Forensic Services.

Keep coherent and accurate records of all clinical activity in

Clinical risk assessment plans
line with service protocols and use these records and
MDT note reviews
clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.

To attend individual and group clinical supervision on a

Attendance at supervision and audit
regular basis as agreed with the lead clinicians and the
clinical governance structures of the service.

Complete all essential training and engage in CPD as Training reports

required and agreed with supervisor.

Dimensions

The MHTR Service covers Nottingham County / City and there is a requirement for flexibility regarding
working environment and location.

The post holder will have access to robust supervision offer.

Safeguarding

All employees are responsible for taking all reasonable measures to ensure that the risks of harm to
children and vulnerable adults are minimised. They should take all appropriate actions to address
concerns, working to agreed local policies and procedures including the guidance on Safeguarding, in
partnership with other relevant agencies. This includes accessing appropriate training, advice and
support.

Disclosure and Barring Services

Where this post relates to the types of work, activity, employment or profession as set out in The
Exceptions Order made under the Rehabilitation of Offender Act 1974; the post will be subject to a DBS
Disclosure check at the point of recruitment and thereafter, as the Trust determines appropriate. The
level of the check will be determined by the type of activities undertaken and the level of contact the
post holder will have with children and/or adults in receipt of health services.

Infection Control

All employees of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust have an individual responsibility to have
knowledge of and employ the basic principles of infection prevention and control practice. All employees
must comply with Infection Prevention and control mandatory training requirements specific to their role.

Equality & Diversity

All staff should be able to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and
Inclusion as identified within the Trust’s Equality and Diversity Policy and associated Equality, Diversity
and Human Rights legislation.

Sustainability

It is the responsibility of all staff to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible. This
will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping
to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and
heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel. Where the role includes the ordering and use
of supplies or equipment the post holder will consider the environmental impact of purchases.

Data Quality Statement

All staff of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have a responsibility for data quality,
improved data quality leads to better decision-making across the Trust. The more high-quality data, the
more confidence the organisation has in decisions. Good data decreases risk and can result in
consistent improvements in results. Employees within data roles have a responsibility for inputting high
quality data (accurate, valid, timely, complete) and for ensuring that high quality data is maintained.

Communication

The post holder is required: To provide and receive complex, sensitive and contentious information and
to use persuasive, motivational, empathetic skills to overcome barriers where there may be resistance
to change or engage.

 To communicate with range of other agencies within healthcare/social care settings on a range of
matters, in a range of forms, including produce concise written information.
 To manage own work in a team setting, with appropriate guidance and supervision.
 To work with individuals, groups in an organised and purposeful way.
 To have an awareness of rehabilitation and promote independence.
 To have an understanding of, and commitment to, supporting equality and valuing diversity.
 To have skills in motivating and encouraging others.
 To be able to identify risk and to take responsibility for self and others in ensuring legislation, policies
and procedures are followed in the workplace.
 To actively participate in development of the service.
 To build relationships with key agencies/services linked to the MHTR Service.

External liaison with partnership organisations including Social Services, General Practitioners, local
Primary Care Trusts, other hospitals and sites, service users, voluntary agencies, police, carers,
relatives and the general public

Maintain a position of integrity at all times whilst appreciating the need for a high level of confidentiality
when dealing with sensitive information and issues appertaining to this post, in compliance with any
existing or new legislation.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

An undergraduate degree in psychology (at 2:1 or above) and entitlement to graduate membership of
the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Knowledge and experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities
as an assistant psychologist, or in a role which involves the application of psychological theory into
practice.
Research and evaluation skills.
Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients.

Understanding of the importance of risk assessment and risk management.

Ability to work as part of a team and to use initiative and work independently under supervision.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills including telephone skills. Able to communicate
effectively in an emotive atmosphere. Ability to communicate sensitive information to clients and
colleagues.

Good organisational skills.

Good computer skills, word processing and data processing.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

The post holder will be expected to have knowledge and experience of research and evaluation
methodology.

Undertake patient centred interviews which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and
recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.

The post holder will be expected to develop MHTR plans alongside service user, under supervision of
the Clinical Lead (or Band 6 in their absence) to ensure this is enacted. The post holder will support the
regular review of the agreed plan of support.

The post holder will be expected to contribute to the risk assessments relating to people engaging with
the service and share relevant risk information, in a sensitive manner, with other services, as
appropriate. This work will take place under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

The post holder will be required to achieve a balance of appropriate autonomy and understanding of
when seeking support from a supervisor is appropriate and necessary.

Planning and Organisational Skills

The post holder will be expected to plan, manage, prioritise their own caseload/workload. The post
holder will be able to safely organise, delegate and lead, as required.
The post holder will be expected to work on own initiative; carry out monitoring and evaluation of
support plans in a wide variety of community settings.

Co-ordinating plans of care with other professionals and agencies when required

Physical Skills

Use of basic psychometric test equipment.

Full Breakaway training.
Must be able to travel to different bases as required for the role.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care

 Develop and implement agreed care packages

 To work as a member of a specialist team.
 Work independently and in conjunction with other staff in a range of psychotherapeutic
interventions/deliver and evaluate treatment interventions to a caseload of service users.
 To have a vigilant attitude towards the management of risk.
 To attend individual and group clinical supervision on a regular basis
 To report safeguarding issues according to Trust and Local Authority policies and Procedures
 To foster a collaborative approach throughout working with service user, to support an encourage
engagement for a service user population where this may be a particular difficulty.
 Working in line with the service standards for the MHTR Service in role modelling to both
colleagues, other service and the service users we work with.

Responsibility for Policy/Service Development

Follows and implements policies in own work area and proposes changes to working practices.

The post holder will be expected to be part of wider service evaluation and will be expected to engage in
data collection as required by the service. The post holder will be expected to undertake surveys,
evaluations necessary to inform the service development, service quality and effectiveness.

Due to the nature of the service, the post holder will be expected to work with key agencies/services
and to develop positive working relationships to support service users have the best opportunity to
access to mental health treatment.

Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources

Personal duty of care in relation to the use and management of resources and equipment, as
necessary.

Responsibility for HR

The post holder will not be responsible for operational supervision or mentorship, preceptorship but will
be expected to support induction of newly appointed staff.

Responsibility for Information Resources

The post holder will be responsible for maintaining systems used within the MHTR Service. The post
holder will be responsible for maintaining personally generated records and will be required to use IT to
develop or create documents/reports.

The post holder will be responsible for recording their own notes in the electronic progress note system.

Responsibility for Research and Development

The post holder will be expected to be part of wider service evaluation and will be expected to engage in
data collection as required by the service. The post holder will be expected to undertake surveys,
evaluations necessary to inform the service development, service quality and effectiveness.

Freedom to Act

The post-holder can expect to have regular managerial and clinical supervision to support personal and
professional development and delivery of support. To have the freedom to act within the realms of Trust
policy, procedure and codes of professional conduct.

The post-holder will be required to balance appropriate autonomy with recognising the importance of
seeking guidance and support from a supervisor where required. Autonomous aspects of the role will
include managing one’s own diary and organising service user and professional contacts. As an
assistant psychologist the post-holder should expect that their clinical work will be overseen by a
qualified psychologist.

The post holder will be expected to undertake holistic assessments and contribute to the development
of the MHTR plan and work with the service user to ensure this is enacted, under supervision. The post
holder will support the regular review of the agreed plan of support alongside probation leads/other
CSTR services.

Physical Effort

 Ability to undertake relevant essential training and engage in the management of violence and
aggression from de-escalation to potentially breakaway level.

Mental Effort

Frequent concentration required occasional prolonged when seeing clients.

Frequent concentration where the work pattern is unpredictable such as urgent/time sensitive
assessments, working alongside services outside of our control (i.e. stakeholder services within the
criminal justice system). Concentration required for checking documents and recording information.

Emotional Effort

This post includes:

 Frequent exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances. Working closely in clinical practice

with people who are in distress. The backgrounds and presentation of many of these clients can
 present exceptional challenges both in working with the patients, in managing personal emotional
responses and those of others e.g. carers.
 Maintaining high levels of self-awareness, mindfulness, boundaries within the therapeutic
relationship.
 Ability to maintain a balanced/objective perception while working under potentially stressful
situations and conditions. Responsible for managing potentially stressful situations and giving
support to others involved in those situations.

Working Conditions

Working in a range of community (such as court, GP surgeries etc.) and criminal justice settings
(custody, court etc.). Occasional exposure to unpleasant working conditions for example: physical
violence and verbal abuse and emotionally stressful situations.

This includes:
• Exposure to aggressive behaviour from individuals and carers
• Security procedures – related to criminal justice settings
• Being alert to emergency security procedures
• Knowledge and adherence to organisational security policies and procedures
• Demonstrate an understanding of the need to integrate relational security requirements within
therapeutic relationships
• Effectively use lone worker system

This job description is not exhaustive and other duties or tasks may be required as consistent with the
job role and grade.

Organisation Chart

Clinical Lead Service Manager

Specialist Mental Senior Assistant Psychologist

Health Practitioner
Assistant Psychologist/
Research Assistant
(this post)

Our promise to you

We will ensure that you are supported and lead in line with our Trust Values: Trust, Honesty, Respect,
Compassion & Teamwork
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust actively works to fulfil the seven elements of the
NHS People Promise.

We will adhere to the promise and support all our colleagues, assuring that we are continuously striving
to listen to colleagues, adapting accordingly and striving always to be the best place to work.

Signatures
After reviewing the questionnaire please sign to confirm agreement
Post holder: Date:

Line Manager: Date:

Next level Manager: Date: