Job summary
We are delighted to be offering a full-time Band 5 Higher Assistant Psychologist post within our Children and Young People's Inpatient Service based at Ferndene Hospital.
We are looking for an enthusiastic psychology graduate, with experience in working as an Assistant Psychologist in inpatient clinical settings (paid or voluntary), to help provide specialist psychological input into the newly opening Specialist Learning Disability and Autism Unit. Previous experience of working in an inpatient setting, working with Learning Disability and Autism, and with children is essential.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will work within a multidisciplinary context to help the psychology team undertake specialised psychological assessments, treatments, and other types of clinical intervention appropriate to this level of training with individual clients / groups of clients, and families. They will have weekly supervision from an experienced Clinical Psychologist. They will support the service in the delivery of training and service development initiatives.
About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
Working in inpatient services offers excellent opportunities to develop a range of skills. These include skills in both direct clinical work, as well as clinical leadership, service development, staff support, and training.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date :9th September 2025
Closing date : 16th September 2025
We welcome your application.
Please note this vacancy may close earlier than stated above, should an appropriate number of applications be received.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date :9th September 2025
Closing date : 16th September 2025
We welcome your application.
Please note this vacancy may close earlier than stated above, should an appropriate number of applications be received.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Upper 2nd class honours degree, or higher, in psychology.
- Eligibility for graduate membership of British Psychological Society.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience as an assistant psychologist (including honorary, paid or unpaid)
- Clinical experience working with children with learning disabilities and autism
- Clinical experience working into inpatient settings with children
Desirable
- Experience of PBS related work
- Experience of working with families
- Experience of behavioural recording
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- High level of communication skills (written and oral), including an ability to communicate and work in highly emotive circumstances.
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to clients, carers and colleagues.
- Computer literate, including use of databases & data analysis, e.g. SPSS for Windows.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Upper 2nd class honours degree, or higher, in psychology.
- Eligibility for graduate membership of British Psychological Society.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience as an assistant psychologist (including honorary, paid or unpaid)
- Clinical experience working with children with learning disabilities and autism
- Clinical experience working into inpatient settings with children
Desirable
- Experience of PBS related work
- Experience of working with families
- Experience of behavioural recording
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- High level of communication skills (written and oral), including an ability to communicate and work in highly emotive circumstances.
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to clients, carers and colleagues.
- Computer literate, including use of databases & data analysis, e.g. SPSS for Windows.
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.
