Oxford Health NHS Trust

Assistant Psychologist

The closing date is 03 July 2025

Job summary

Are you compassionate, motivated, and ready to make a difference in the lives of young people?

We're looking for an Assistant Psychologist to join our Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (FCAMHS) team, supporting children and adolescents with complex mental health needs. This role offers valuable experience in a community forensic setting within a small, supportive team of experienced clinicians, including Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Nurses, and Admin staff.

While the role includes key support tasks such as data collection and audit, it also provides training in specialist assessments and risk work not typically available in similar positions. You'll receive regular clinical supervision and take part in monthly team meetings focused on wellbeing and reflective practice.

Applicants should hold a Psychology degree (2:1 or above) or higher qualification, with experience in mental health--preferably working with young people and ideally in a forensic setting. Strong communication, organisation, and IT skills (including Microsoft Office and basic Excel) are essential, along with a genuine interest in supporting young people with mental health challenges.

*Please be aware that this advert may close early if a high number of applications are received.*

Main duties of the job

Under regular supervision from a Clinical Psychologist, you will develop skills to support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the service, across all sectors of care; supporting consultation to other professionals and agencies, providing psychologicalassessment and brief psychological interventions.In addition, you will support the service in collection of routine data and create reports for commissioners and assist in the development of serviceevaluation within the service. Previous experience of the above is desirable.You will work with colleagues within the multi-disciplinary team and so should be able to demonstrate the ability to do so. The role will also involveparticipation in audit, service evaluation and service development projects.

About us

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

Excellent opportunities for career progression
Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
Competitive pension scheme
Lease car scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Mental Health First Aiders
Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Date posted

27 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year pa /pro-rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

267-OC7265781

Job locations

Forensic CAMHS

Temple Hse, Temple Street

Keynsham

BS31 1HA

Job description

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology. Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

Desirable

Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional Psychology, Mental Health practice and research design and analysis.

Experience

Essential

Previous experience of working with people with emotional, behavioural and/or mental health/ learning difficulties.

Desirable

Experience of working with families and/or carers
Experience of paid work in direct care provision that have a number of Mental Health and social need
Previous experience of audit and/ or research in a clinical setting
Previous experience in an assistant psychology post

Skills/Knowledge

Essential

High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients/parents and colleagues.
An understanding of psychology applied to mental health care.

Desirable

High standard of report writing.

Personal

Essential

An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.

Other

Essential

Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology. Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

Desirable

Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional Psychology, Mental Health practice and research design and analysis.

Experience

Essential

Previous experience of working with people with emotional, behavioural and/or mental health/ learning difficulties.

Desirable

Experience of working with families and/or carers
Experience of paid work in direct care provision that have a number of Mental Health and social need
Previous experience of audit and/ or research in a clinical setting
Previous experience in an assistant psychology post

Skills/Knowledge

Essential

High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients/parents and colleagues.
An understanding of psychology applied to mental health care.

Desirable

High standard of report writing.

Personal

Essential

An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.

Other

Essential

Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Forensic CAMHS

Temple Hse, Temple Street

Keynsham

BS31 1HA

Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Forensic CAMHS

Temple Hse, Temple Street

Keynsham

BS31 1HA

Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)