Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Assistant Psychologist

The closing date is 30 March 2026

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Job summary

We are seeking a compassionate, reflective and resilient Assistant Psychologist to join our Community Learning Disabilities Team working across the North Suffolk (Waveney) area. You will will support the delivery of psychologically informed care for adults with a learning disability who may be experiencing mental health or behavioural difficulties.

Working under the supervision of qualified Clinical and Counselling Psychologists, the Assistant Psychologist will contribute to psychological assessment and intervention, including the development and dissemination of formulations and supportive interventions across services, working with individuals, families and paid carers. The post holder will collaborate in the development, adaptation and administration of self-help and psychologically informed materials, and may assist in implementing the use of outcome measures to support clinical work, audit and service evaluation.

Main duties of the job

To support the delivery of psychologically informed care to adults with a learning disability experiencing mental health, emotional and behavioural difficulties within the North Suffolk (Waveney) locality.

Undertakes psychological assessments of clients applying psychological measures, including neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client's care under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

Assists in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a client's problems, under the supervision of a qualified psychologist community settings.

Where required and appropriate, assists in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups such as anxiety management, or anger management.

Works with other staff to assess people using services and review their care in preparation for interventions, treatments or reviews.

Assists in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.

Attends and contributes to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings as required.

To maintain the highest standards of ethical practice, care governance and data protection.

About us

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.

Details

Date posted

23 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

Depending on experience gross per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

246-GYW7859110

Job locations

Lothingland Community Unit

Airey Close

Oulton

NR32 3JQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please find attached our Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on specifics of the role, then if you feel you have what it takes to make a difference, click APPLY!

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please find attached our Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on specifics of the role, then if you feel you have what it takes to make a difference, click APPLY!

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • A BPS accredited degree in Psychology

Desirable

  • An MSc or similar qualification in a psychology related area

Skills

Essential

  • Skills using software for administration and analysis
  • High standard of report writing

Desirable

  • Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users and colleagues
  • Presentation Skills
  • Previous experience in learning disabilities services

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of research methods
  • An understanding of psychology applied to health care
  • Knowledge of mental health care in the UK

Desirable

  • An ability to apply existing knowledge to a mental health context
  • Understanding of needs and difficulties of individuals with mental health difficulties or learning disabilitiesdisabilities

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of health care settings

Desirable

  • Experience of health care in an NHS context
  • Experience of community care settings
  • Experience of care of people with a learning disability and/or autism
  • Experience of working with adults with a learning disability
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • A BPS accredited degree in Psychology

Desirable

  • An MSc or similar qualification in a psychology related area

Skills

Essential

  • Skills using software for administration and analysis
  • High standard of report writing

Desirable

  • Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users and colleagues
  • Presentation Skills
  • Previous experience in learning disabilities services

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of research methods
  • An understanding of psychology applied to health care
  • Knowledge of mental health care in the UK

Desirable

  • An ability to apply existing knowledge to a mental health context
  • Understanding of needs and difficulties of individuals with mental health difficulties or learning disabilitiesdisabilities

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of health care settings

Desirable

  • Experience of health care in an NHS context
  • Experience of community care settings
  • Experience of care of people with a learning disability and/or autism
  • Experience of working with adults with a learning disability

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Address

Lothingland Community Unit

Airey Close

Oulton

NR32 3JQ


Employer's website

https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Address

Lothingland Community Unit

Airey Close

Oulton

NR32 3JQ


Employer's website

https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Counselling Psychologist

Clive Hudson

clive.hudson@nsft.nhs.uk

01502535020

Details

Date posted

23 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

Depending on experience gross per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

246-GYW7859110

Job locations

Lothingland Community Unit

Airey Close

Oulton

NR32 3JQ


Supporting documents

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