Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist - Perinatal Mental Health Service

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, dedicated & motivated Assistant Psychologist to join our Perinatal Mental Health Service.

This post offers a very exciting opportunity to contribute to the establishment of a high quality perinatal mental health provision within our female prison service line.The post holder will form a key part of the MDT & will be able to demonstrate a range of skills & qualities that can help with the ongoing development of our service.

The post holder would support service development, quality improvement & audit projects within the team. Supporting facilitation of group programmes & offer discrete pieces of clinical work with women & babies under the care of the team. They would also support the MDT with indirect psychological work & training.

Assistant psychologist receive weekly clinical supervision from a Senior Clinical Psychologist.

CNWL's Health & Justice Services are led by a highly motivated team with vast experience in healthcare within secure environments. We employ a range of psychologists, psychological therapists & Assistant psychologists. We work within the mental health services in numerous sites, across prisons, YOIs & secure hospitals, with children & adults, men & women & across the range of security categories.

The Perinatal Mental Health Service operates across 3 women's prisons, (HMP Bronzefield, Send & Downview). This post will be based at HMP Bronzefield but travel between sites will be part of the role.

Main duties of the job

Supporting and enhancing professional psychological practice within the service. Providing support, co-ordination and administration to clinical, training and research functions within the scope appropriate to level of training and competence, and undertaking related tasks to enhance assessment, intervention and evaluation within the team or care group. To work independently according to a plan agreed and reviewed through regular supervision by a qualified applied HCPC registered Psychologist.

We have other band 4 Assistant Psychologist vacancies within the Health & Justice Directorate if you would like to express your interest in these roles please indicate via your supporting information.

  • 2.0WTE Band 4 Assistant Psychologist - HMP Bronzefield
  • 2.0WTE Band 4 Assistant Psychologist - HMP High Down

As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings

About us

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust offers its staff ongoing career progression through:

  • Monthly supervision
  • Annual personal development plans/appraisals
  • Access to exciting internal and external training opportunities.

Excellent progression through various career pathway opportunities such as but not limited to:

  • Preceptorship Programme
  • Support and guidance with Revalidation
  • Hidden Gem and annual award ceremonies

Excellent staff benefits, our benefit packages are amongst the best in London and include:

  • Childcare vouchers
  • Health and wellbeing services
  • Season ticket loans
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Relocation package *subject to meeting criteria*

The trust alsovalues its staff and you are entitled to become a member of MyTrustBenefits. MyTrustBenefits is an online portal for all CNWL staff, as well as their family and friends. It offers over 1400 discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide. Save money on your weekly food shops, toiletries, cosmetics, cinema, meals out, holidays, travel and entertainment. You can also access free online courses on a variety of topics, professional and personal, ranging from business management, languages, law and teaching.

All of our sites in Surrey offer free use of the onsite leisure facilities and free parking for staff.

Details

Date posted

10 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,857 to £30,570 a year per annum inc. Fringe HCAS (pro rata if P/T)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-D-HJ-1826

Job locations

HMP Bronzefield

Woodthorpe Road

Ashford

TW15 3JZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supporting and enhancing professional psychological practice within the service. Providing support, co-ordination and administration to clinical, training and research functions within the scope appropriate to level of training and competence, and undertaking related tasks to enhance assessment, intervention and evaluation within the team or care group. To work independently according to a plan agreed and reviewed through regular supervision by a qualified applied HPC registered Psychologist and/or Psychological Therapist

Clinical

  • To undertake assessments and interventions (for example neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews of clients, family members and others involved in the clients care), as appropriate to level of training, competence and under live or regular supervision from a qualified practitioner Psychologist.
  • To assist in the development of psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.
  • To formulate and deliver care, training or research plans within settings where there may be a hostile atmosphere, challenging behaviour or high levels of expressed emotion.
  • To conduct literature searches, collate audit and outcome evidence, analyse relevant data and produce reports to inform and enhance care delivered by the service.
  • To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups, training or research projects
  • If required, to compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk and crisis plans.
  • To work with other team members to improve care, training and research practices and the quality of life of clients.
  • To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.
  • To support the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions for clients.
  • To carry out other clinical and administrative tasks as appropriate to the post holders grade.
  • To be up to date with both de-escalation, physical breakaway and PMVA techniques appropriate to the service environment.

Administration

  • To develop and manage systems for efficient administration and co-ordination of care, training or research.
  • To establish and maintain records and statistics concerning the service.
  • To be acquainted with, implement and maintain all relevant Trust and Psychology and Psychological Therapies policies and procedures.
  • To report immediately any incidents affecting staff, users or visitors on health service property in accordance with Trust policies.
  • To maintain and manage systems for stock control of Psychology tests, test materials and other equipment.
  • To manage diaries, work plans and project plans as required.

Professional Issues

  • To abide by the BPS code of Ethics and Conduct and the Division of Clinical Psychology Professional Practice Guidelines.
  • To maintain confidentiality in line with Trust policy
  • To participate in clinical and professional audit.
  • To participate in and contribute to Quality Assurance initiatives.
  • To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supporting and enhancing professional psychological practice within the service. Providing support, co-ordination and administration to clinical, training and research functions within the scope appropriate to level of training and competence, and undertaking related tasks to enhance assessment, intervention and evaluation within the team or care group. To work independently according to a plan agreed and reviewed through regular supervision by a qualified applied HPC registered Psychologist and/or Psychological Therapist

Clinical

  • To undertake assessments and interventions (for example neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews of clients, family members and others involved in the clients care), as appropriate to level of training, competence and under live or regular supervision from a qualified practitioner Psychologist.
  • To assist in the development of psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.
  • To formulate and deliver care, training or research plans within settings where there may be a hostile atmosphere, challenging behaviour or high levels of expressed emotion.
  • To conduct literature searches, collate audit and outcome evidence, analyse relevant data and produce reports to inform and enhance care delivered by the service.
  • To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups, training or research projects
  • If required, to compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk and crisis plans.
  • To work with other team members to improve care, training and research practices and the quality of life of clients.
  • To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.
  • To support the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions for clients.
  • To carry out other clinical and administrative tasks as appropriate to the post holders grade.
  • To be up to date with both de-escalation, physical breakaway and PMVA techniques appropriate to the service environment.

Administration

  • To develop and manage systems for efficient administration and co-ordination of care, training or research.
  • To establish and maintain records and statistics concerning the service.
  • To be acquainted with, implement and maintain all relevant Trust and Psychology and Psychological Therapies policies and procedures.
  • To report immediately any incidents affecting staff, users or visitors on health service property in accordance with Trust policies.
  • To maintain and manage systems for stock control of Psychology tests, test materials and other equipment.
  • To manage diaries, work plans and project plans as required.

Professional Issues

  • To abide by the BPS code of Ethics and Conduct and the Division of Clinical Psychology Professional Practice Guidelines.
  • To maintain confidentiality in line with Trust policy
  • To participate in clinical and professional audit.
  • To participate in and contribute to Quality Assurance initiatives.
  • To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Honours degree at 2:1 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS

Desirable

  • Further training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Experience

Essential

  • Relevant clinical and research skills
  • Experience of working as part of a team
  • Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
  • Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health context
  • An understanding of psychology applied to health care

Desirable

  • Experience of working with people with disabilities, in a health or Mental Health setting and or work with people with complex needs
  • Experience of working with people with complex needs
  • Experience of the use of psychometric tests
  • Experience of group work and individual therapeutic contact
  • Experience of in-patient settings
  • Experience of teaching other health professionals
  • Lived experience of mental health issues

Skills

Essential

  • To be able to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times
  • To be able to provide and receive complex sensitive or contentious information in a potentially highly emotive atmosphere
  • To be able to work with resistance to ideas
  • High standard of report writing
  • To assimilate complex information and use reflective/analytic thinking, to apply psychological perspectives in work in a healthcare setting
  • Ability to be flexible and cope with multiple demands.
  • Capable of using initiative and organise work to agreed goals.
  • Ability to work independently and know when to ask for and use supervision, identifying when there is need for advice and using supervision at agreed intervals
  • To have highly developed IT skills and good working knowledge of statistical packages
  • Requires manual dexterity and good eye -hand coordination to administer neuropsychological tests and use computer key boards.
  • Able to carry out PMVA interventions
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Honours degree at 2:1 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS

Desirable

  • Further training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Experience

Essential

  • Relevant clinical and research skills
  • Experience of working as part of a team
  • Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
  • Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health context
  • An understanding of psychology applied to health care

Desirable

  • Experience of working with people with disabilities, in a health or Mental Health setting and or work with people with complex needs
  • Experience of working with people with complex needs
  • Experience of the use of psychometric tests
  • Experience of group work and individual therapeutic contact
  • Experience of in-patient settings
  • Experience of teaching other health professionals
  • Lived experience of mental health issues

Skills

Essential

  • To be able to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times
  • To be able to provide and receive complex sensitive or contentious information in a potentially highly emotive atmosphere
  • To be able to work with resistance to ideas
  • High standard of report writing
  • To assimilate complex information and use reflective/analytic thinking, to apply psychological perspectives in work in a healthcare setting
  • Ability to be flexible and cope with multiple demands.
  • Capable of using initiative and organise work to agreed goals.
  • Ability to work independently and know when to ask for and use supervision, identifying when there is need for advice and using supervision at agreed intervals
  • To have highly developed IT skills and good working knowledge of statistical packages
  • Requires manual dexterity and good eye -hand coordination to administer neuropsychological tests and use computer key boards.
  • Able to carry out PMVA interventions

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

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

HMP Bronzefield

Woodthorpe Road

Ashford

TW15 3JZ


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

HMP Bronzefield

Woodthorpe Road

Ashford

TW15 3JZ


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Psychologist

Jacquelyn Kennedy

jacquelyn.kennedy3@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

10 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,857 to £30,570 a year per annum inc. Fringe HCAS (pro rata if P/T)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-D-HJ-1826

Job locations

HMP Bronzefield

Woodthorpe Road

Ashford

TW15 3JZ


Supporting documents

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