Job summary
We have a total of four Band 5 roles in our Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich IND and Greenwich CAMHS Teams
We are delighted to request applicants for new and exciting Band 5 (paid) masters degree level, apprenticeship posts as a Child Clinical Associates in Psychology (CAP) in training. These posts are a new initiative to England and join our expanding range of Oxleas in-house apprenticeships combining work and study. This apprentice programme allows talented psychology graduates to access clinical roles where they can be trained on-the-job in psychological practice and therapies.
Main duties of the job
Apprentice Child Clinical Associate Psychologists (CAPS) will undertake an 18-month apprenticeship divided between work-based experience (3 days per week), academic teaching and study, which leads to a Masters level qualification from the University of East Anglia (UEA). Once qualified, Child CAPs are able to practice autonomously within their scope of practice, under the supervision of a registered clinical psychologist. You will be able to apply for positions as a qualified Child CAP at band 6 and we can confirm that positions will be available for you to apply for in the Children and Young People's Directorate in Oxleas when you qualify. For further information about the role of CAPs please see: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/clinical-associate-in-psychology-cap-integrated-degree-v1-0
For the first year, apprentices will spend roughly half their time working in the service and half studying at UEA. For the last 6 months they will be mostly working in the service. Teaching is mostly provided remotely, with the exception of 25 days which is to be attended in person at UEA (Norwich). Travel and university accommodation costs for these days will be covered by Oxleas. Through the course apprentices will be supported to develop the nine core competencies required by the British Psychological Society (BPS) described here: https://cms.bps.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-07/Associate%20Psychologists%20-%20Standards%20for%20Accreditation.pdf
About us
Oxleas offers a wide range of NHS healthcare services to people in community and secure environment settings. Our services include community health care such as district nursing and speech and language therapy, care for people with learning disabilities and mental health care such as psychiatry, nursing and therapies. Our multidisciplinary teams look after people of all ages and we work in close partnership with other parts of the NHS, local councils and the voluntary sector and through our new provider collaboratives. Our 4,300 members of staff work in many different settings including hospitals, clinics, prisons, secure hospitals, children's centres, schools and people's homes.
We have over 125 sites in a variety of locations in the South of England. In London we operate within the Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley Greenwich and into Kent. We manage hospital sites including Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup and Memorial Hospital, Woolwich, as well as the Bracton Centre, our medium secure unit for people with mental health needs. We are the largest NHS provider of prison health services providing healthcare to prisons within Devon, Dorset, Bristol, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, Kent and South London. We are proud of the care we provide and our people.
Our purpose is to improve lives by providing the best possible care to our patients and their families. This is strengthened by our new values:
- We're Kind
- We're
- We Listen
- We Care
Job description
Job responsibilities
Apprentice Child Clinical Associate Psychologists (CAPS) will undertake an 18-month apprenticeship divided between work-based experience (3 days per week), academic teaching and study, which leads to a Masters level qualification from the University of East Anglia (UEA). Once qualified, Child CAPs are able to practice autonomously within their scope of practice, under the supervision of a registered clinical psychologist. You will be able to apply for positions as a qualified Child CAP at band 6 and we can confirm that positions will be available for you to apply for in the Children and Young Peoples Directorate in Oxleas when you qualify. For further information about the role of CAPs please see: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/clinical-associate-in-psychology-cap-integrated-degree-v1-0
For the first year, apprentices will spend roughly half their time working in the service and half studying at UEA. For the last 6 months they will be mostly working in the service. Teaching is mostly provided remotely, with the exception of 25 days which is to be attended in person at UEA in Norwich. Travel and university accommodation costs for these days will be covered by Oxleas. Through the course apprentices will be supported to develop the nine core competencies required by the British Psychological Society (BPS) described here: https://cms.bps.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-07/Associate%20Psychologists%20-%20Standards%20for%20Accreditation.pdf
During the clinical placement in the service, the post-holders will contribute directly to the assessment and treatment of children, young people and their families working in a multidisciplinary team alongside other professionals. Post holders may be required to travel depending on the needs of the service.
The successful applicants will have a level 2 qualification in Maths and English. They will also be graduate Psychologists (with a psychology degree at 2.2 or above from a course accredited by the BPS) or have completed an accredited conversion course. This is a Level 7 apprenticeship and we will not be shortlisting applicants who already have a Level 7 training relevant to Psychology. Further details about Level 7 qualifications can be found here - What qualification levels mean: England, Wales and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Please note that successful appointment is dependent on passing relevant checks within UEA.
Although academic ability is important, we are also interested in what YOU bring to the role. We want candidates willing to reflect on their experiences growing up, including lived experience of mental health difficulties, ability to reflect on their background (family, education, culture, ethnicity, gender, sexuality) and what life experience they have developed that have contributed to their personal and professional development. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds which reflect the community we serve. We are particularly keen to hear from applicants who have a commitment to working within our local communities. We are especially interested in increasing diversity in the psychology workforce and this post may be of particular interest to graduates who wish to join the psychology workforce but are not necessarily aspiring to become Clinical or Counselling Psychologists.
Although we will welcome applications from anyone satisfying the essential qualification criteria described in the person specification, please note that if you are considering applying for Clinical Psychology or other doctoral level training courses now or within the next three years, it would not be advisable to apply for the CAP Programme at this stage as it involves a time commitment beyond the initial training period of the apprenticeship. For further details, please visit - Clinical associate in psychology (CAP) (integrated degree) / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
The psychologists in the Children and Young Peoples Directorate are part of a large, well-established and supportive Psychological Therapies Department, which is part of the Therapies Directorate within the Trust. This provides strong leadership and professional management and supports staff by prioritising supervision and continuing professional development. There are good working relationships with both managers and other senior clinicians, and psychological therapy is well represented at senior managerial and clinical levels within the Directorate and across the Trust. Oxleas is a successful and well-respected Community and Mental Health Foundation Trust. Oxleas is consistently in the top rank of trusts in the UK for staff satisfaction and is rated as a place where staff would like their relatives and friends to be cared for as reported in the NHS Staff Survey. Oxleas recently won two national awards for promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and has been ranked 5th best mental health Trust to work for in the country.
Equality and Diversity is a high priority for us, for all staff and service users. We have a dedicated Human Rights Advisor, offer a BME Coaching and Mentoring Programme, and have a number of staff networks: Black and Ethnic Minority (BAMEx) Network, Disability Action Group, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and transgender (LBGT+) network, the Womens network and the Mental Health Staff Network.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Apprentice Child Clinical Associate Psychologists (CAPS) will undertake an 18-month apprenticeship divided between work-based experience (3 days per week), academic teaching and study, which leads to a Masters level qualification from the University of East Anglia (UEA). Once qualified, Child CAPs are able to practice autonomously within their scope of practice, under the supervision of a registered clinical psychologist. You will be able to apply for positions as a qualified Child CAP at band 6 and we can confirm that positions will be available for you to apply for in the Children and Young Peoples Directorate in Oxleas when you qualify. For further information about the role of CAPs please see: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/clinical-associate-in-psychology-cap-integrated-degree-v1-0
For the first year, apprentices will spend roughly half their time working in the service and half studying at UEA. For the last 6 months they will be mostly working in the service. Teaching is mostly provided remotely, with the exception of 25 days which is to be attended in person at UEA in Norwich. Travel and university accommodation costs for these days will be covered by Oxleas. Through the course apprentices will be supported to develop the nine core competencies required by the British Psychological Society (BPS) described here: https://cms.bps.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-07/Associate%20Psychologists%20-%20Standards%20for%20Accreditation.pdf
During the clinical placement in the service, the post-holders will contribute directly to the assessment and treatment of children, young people and their families working in a multidisciplinary team alongside other professionals. Post holders may be required to travel depending on the needs of the service.
The successful applicants will have a level 2 qualification in Maths and English. They will also be graduate Psychologists (with a psychology degree at 2.2 or above from a course accredited by the BPS) or have completed an accredited conversion course. This is a Level 7 apprenticeship and we will not be shortlisting applicants who already have a Level 7 training relevant to Psychology. Further details about Level 7 qualifications can be found here - What qualification levels mean: England, Wales and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Please note that successful appointment is dependent on passing relevant checks within UEA.
Although academic ability is important, we are also interested in what YOU bring to the role. We want candidates willing to reflect on their experiences growing up, including lived experience of mental health difficulties, ability to reflect on their background (family, education, culture, ethnicity, gender, sexuality) and what life experience they have developed that have contributed to their personal and professional development. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds which reflect the community we serve. We are particularly keen to hear from applicants who have a commitment to working within our local communities. We are especially interested in increasing diversity in the psychology workforce and this post may be of particular interest to graduates who wish to join the psychology workforce but are not necessarily aspiring to become Clinical or Counselling Psychologists.
Although we will welcome applications from anyone satisfying the essential qualification criteria described in the person specification, please note that if you are considering applying for Clinical Psychology or other doctoral level training courses now or within the next three years, it would not be advisable to apply for the CAP Programme at this stage as it involves a time commitment beyond the initial training period of the apprenticeship. For further details, please visit - Clinical associate in psychology (CAP) (integrated degree) / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
The psychologists in the Children and Young Peoples Directorate are part of a large, well-established and supportive Psychological Therapies Department, which is part of the Therapies Directorate within the Trust. This provides strong leadership and professional management and supports staff by prioritising supervision and continuing professional development. There are good working relationships with both managers and other senior clinicians, and psychological therapy is well represented at senior managerial and clinical levels within the Directorate and across the Trust. Oxleas is a successful and well-respected Community and Mental Health Foundation Trust. Oxleas is consistently in the top rank of trusts in the UK for staff satisfaction and is rated as a place where staff would like their relatives and friends to be cared for as reported in the NHS Staff Survey. Oxleas recently won two national awards for promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and has been ranked 5th best mental health Trust to work for in the country.
Equality and Diversity is a high priority for us, for all staff and service users. We have a dedicated Human Rights Advisor, offer a BME Coaching and Mentoring Programme, and have a number of staff networks: Black and Ethnic Minority (BAMEx) Network, Disability Action Group, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and transgender (LBGT+) network, the Womens network and the Mental Health Staff Network.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification in English and maths (evidence of pass at level 2 or above)
- An honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology at 2.2 or better OR Successful completion of a BPS accredited post-graduate Psychology conversion programme with 2.2 equivalent or above. OR A 2.2 honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology with appropriate additional experience demonstrating academic potential.
- No previous HEE funded similar training/apprenticeship
Experience working in a caring role.
Essential
- Experience working in a caring role.
Desirable
- Experience working with CYP specifically.
- Experience of working with people with MH problems or LDND.
- Experience of working with CYP with MH problems or LDND
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Shows self reflective ability
Other
Desirable
- Desire to work with CYP specifically
- Desire/Intention to work in Oxleas geographical area.
- Demonstrates potential to benefit from training.
- Brings diversity to the profession.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification in English and maths (evidence of pass at level 2 or above)
- An honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology at 2.2 or better OR Successful completion of a BPS accredited post-graduate Psychology conversion programme with 2.2 equivalent or above. OR A 2.2 honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology with appropriate additional experience demonstrating academic potential.
- No previous HEE funded similar training/apprenticeship
Experience working in a caring role.
Essential
- Experience working in a caring role.
Desirable
- Experience working with CYP specifically.
- Experience of working with people with MH problems or LDND.
- Experience of working with CYP with MH problems or LDND
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Shows self reflective ability
Other
Desirable
- Desire to work with CYP specifically
- Desire/Intention to work in Oxleas geographical area.
- Demonstrates potential to benefit from training.
- Brings diversity to the profession.
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
