Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Psychology Graduate Internship

This job is now closed

Job summary

It is nationally recognised that a significant proportion of psychology graduates want to develop a career in health and care, but can find it hard to find a way in. The intersectional nature of disadvantage and an unpaid volunteer culture has been thought to contribute to disproportionate disadvantage for psychology graduates from ethnic and cultural minorities, graduates who are socio-economically disadvantaged and graduates who have caring responsibilities.

To try and begin addressing these issues, additional funding has been secured by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust from NHS England to develop paid opportunities for aspiring Clinical Psychologists to gain clinical experience.

We are offering two 3-month opportunities of paid experience working as an assistant psychologist for psychology graduates who are committed to developing a career in the psychological professions within the NHS.

Successful applicants will be line managed and clinically supervised by HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologists. Please note that applications may close before the deadline, subject to volume of applications.

Applicants need to ensure that their supporting statement highlights that they are a graduate from an ethnic or cultural minority, are socio-economically disadvantaged or have caring responsibilities in order to meet the requirements set out by the NHS England scheme.

Main duties of the job

These posts are suitable for recent psychology graduates from University courses offering Graduate Basis for Chartered membership of the British Psychological Society, with limited NHS experience within Psychology services. We would like to especially encourage those who have not had opportunities for voluntary experience due to caring responsibilities, inequality or disadvantage to apply.

Applicants are applying for generic assistant psychologist posts that may be in any one of a number of our services across our adult mental health, learning disability and autism services. When applying think about the generic skills and knowledge you have gained from your degree and life experiences rather than any particular service that may offer you a post if successful. Applications are invited from kind, thoughtful candidates with a "can do" attitude to deliver the Trusts Vision and Values and help to improve our service user experience.

We plan for the internships to commence in January 2026. Please ensure that your current NHFT manager is willing to consider a 3 month secondment (or 6 months if part-time is preferred) for you to be able to take up this opportunity within NHFT Psychology Services.

About us

NHFT is an integrated Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in both hospital settings and out in the community. Because we put the person at the centre of all we do, we focus on delivering care that is as easy to access as possible. This means many of our services can be provided at home, work or in schools.

Date posted

03 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year pa, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

13 weeks

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

270-TG412-MH-A

Job locations

Campbell House

Campbell Square

Northampton

NN1 3EB

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the About You Section of the document.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

2:1 or above Undergraduate Psychology degree from an institution allowing for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society
Commitment to work in the NHS within the Psychological Professions

Experience

Essential

Demonstrates high standards in written communication (evidenced by appropriate syntax and grammar)
Grades C and above in English & Maths at GCSE

Desirable

If applicable to the university course attended, had chosen Clinical/Counselling Psychology module during undergraduate degree

Other

Essential

In supporting statement highlights that they are a graduate from an ethnic or cultural minority, are socio-economically disadvantaged or who have caring responsibilities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

2:1 or above Undergraduate Psychology degree from an institution allowing for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society
Commitment to work in the NHS within the Psychological Professions

Experience

Essential

Demonstrates high standards in written communication (evidenced by appropriate syntax and grammar)
Grades C and above in English & Maths at GCSE

Desirable

If applicable to the university course attended, had chosen Clinical/Counselling Psychology module during undergraduate degree

Other

Essential

In supporting statement highlights that they are a graduate from an ethnic or cultural minority, are socio-economically disadvantaged or who have caring responsibilities

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.