Psychologist (Band 8a equivalent

Originally commissioned since 2019 by Somerset Council and recommissioned in April 2026, Step Together is an innovative service that offers a psychological, adversity and trauma (PAT) informed approach to supporting those rough sleeping/at risk of homelessness with multiple disadvantage and complex needs (mental health, forensic history, substance use). We also advocate for system change, creatively thinking with other agencies to develop innovative ways to overcome barriers to engagement, turning these into opportunities to steer positive trauma-informed system change. Main duties of the job

• Development of the psychological therapy pathway and oversight of psychologists in training on placement from local Universities in Step Together.
• Under the supervision and direction of the Head of Psychology offer therapeutic understanding and interventions to a small caseload of clients will higher levels of need. This will involve the development of collaborative psychologically informed assessments and formulations and therapeutic provision, integrating trauma-informed and relational/attachment frameworks, to people accessing Step Together.
• Provision of Psychological, Adversity and Trauma (PAT) Informed staff support and development through various reflective contexts (team formulation, reflective practice) to recovery coaches within Step Together and managers in Somerset.
• Liaise with the Head of Psychology, Learning and Development team and Senior PAT practitioner to develop and deliver training and resources to build capacity of staff to embed the Psychological, Adversity and Trauma (PAT) Informed approach that is integral to the service
• Provide psychological consultation to external agencies that is PAT informed and aims to facilitate system change.
• Be a member of Second Steps Psychology Team Integration into our network of psychological practitioners working across Second Step services throughout the South-West region.
  
  Are you a values-driven psychologist, passionate about improving the lived experience of people using services and staff, aspiring to promote positive change in the systems all around us? If so, taking your next career step working at Second Step could be the right move for you., Experience working in the field of multiple disadvantage and clients with intersecting complexity of need (forensic history, substance use, trauma, mental health challenges).
• Leadership skills and that drive PAT informed change through effective delivery and oversight of our team staff support and development model and broader PAT strategy that enhances quality practice and staff wellbeing.
• Clinical diversity and proficiency with an ability to oversee the provision of psychological interventions with clients including supervision of trainee psychologists from local universities.
• Comprehensive formulation skills, commitment to community psychology and using psychology creatively, with an appetite for innovation.
• A dynamic trainer and motivator with the ability to engage diverse teams and tailor learning approaches to different sectors making psychology understandable and relevant to all.
• A passionate advocate for system change, with a deep understanding of trauma-informed principles and organisational transformation., Experience working in the field of multiple disadvantage and clients with intersecting complexity of need (forensic history, substance use, trauma, mental health challenges).
• Leadership skills and that drive PAT informed change through effective delivery and oversight of our team staff support and development model and broader PAT strategy that enhances quality practice and staff wellbeing.
• Clinical diversity and proficiency with an ability to oversee the provision of psychological interventions with clients including supervision of trainee psychologists from local universities.
• Comprehensive formulation skills, commitment to community psychology and using psychology creatively, with an appetite for innovation.
• A dynamic trainer and motivator with the ability to engage diverse teams and tailor learning approaches to different sectors making psychology understandable and relevant to all.
• A passionate advocate for system change, with a deep understanding of trauma-informed principles and organisational transformation.
Person Specification Experience Essential
• Experience of working with people with severe and multiple disadvantage including a range of adult mental health problems and/or substance misuse, forensic histories and homelessness
• Experience of formulating different ways of adapting and surviving using trauma informed and attachment frameworks
• Experience of evaluation and audit
• Experience of developing and delivering training to various audiences
• Experience and interest in group facilitation and offering reflective contexts e.g. reflective practice
• Experience of influencing the networks of support around individuals and creating system change
Desirable
• Experience of working in NHS secondary care mental health services
• Experience of working in non-NHS settings
• Experience of relational approaches to therapy e.g. psychodynamic models
• Experience of creating and delivering psychological and trauma informed training to different audiences
Person Specification Experience Essential
• Experience of working with people with severe and multiple disadvantage including a range of adult mental health problems and/or substance misuse, forensic histories and homelessness
• Experience of formulating different ways of adapting and surviving using trauma informed and attachment frameworks
• Experience of evaluation and audit
• Experience of developing and delivering training to various audiences
• Experience and interest in group facilitation and offering reflective contexts e.g. reflective practice
• Experience of influencing the networks of support around individuals and creating system change
Desirable
• Experience of working in NHS secondary care mental health services
• Experience of working in non-NHS settings
• Experience of relational approaches to therapy e.g. psychodynamic models
• Experience of creating and delivering psychological and trauma informed training to different audiences
  
  Second Step is a leading mental health charity in the South-West offering housing, support and hope to thousands of people with mental health and other needs. We promote wellbeing by supporting people and communities to build brighter futures. We value relationships and making sense of what has happened to those accessing our services, rather than labelling what is wrong with them., What we offer:
Investment in your professional development, including training and robust clinical supervision. Membership within our growing psychology team to support professional identity and CPD. The chance to extend scope of practice working in partnership with key stakeholders to drive meaningful system change. We will shortlist based on staff evidencing clearly in their application how they meet the essential and desirable criteria. If you have the drive, adaptability, and open-mindedness to hold the hope and compassion for clients that other services have struggled to effectively work alongside, believing that recovery and growth are always possible, then we welcome hearing from you.