Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are seeking applications from enthusiastic Psychology graduates with graduate basis for registration with the BPS. Previous clinical or research experience in the field of psychology is required. You will be part of the Problem Gambling Clinic team, and some of your working week is likely to be spent at the Clinic's base in London. The National Problem Gambling Clinic is a highly specialist national NHS service providing treatment for gambling harms. We pride ourselves on having acted as a centre of excellence and as a training clinic, having influenced policy and obtained a proven track record of publications.

This role is also opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of a unique project, delivering gambling interventions across the Surrey prison estate, providing training to prison staff and residents, and supporting research into gambling prevalence in prisons. Your working week will be split between the clinics base in Central London and the Surrey Prison Estate

Main duties of the job

To plan and undertake assessments of clients. This may include using motivational interviewing techniques, self-report measures, risk assessment, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client's care. Assessments will involve making judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options, as well as requiring prolonged concentration.

To write clinical summaries and care plans based on information gleaned at assessment and present these to the multi-disciplinary team.

To work in a highly emotive atmosphere with clients with gambling problems on a regular basis, and be able to communicate sensitive and complex information, whilst maintaining a high degree of professionalism at all times.

To assist in the co-ordination and running of therapeutic groups, under the supervision of a qualified member of staff.

To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects on a regular basis in order to help develop and improve service provision. This may include complex audits / service evaluation using qualitative or quantitative methods

About us

The AddictionsDirectorate with CNWLFoundation Trust is a large, well-establishedprovider which offers a wide range of specialist NHS drug and alcohol treatment interventions to the diverse and multicultural populations in Central and North West London. Our drug and alcohol services include community services, A&E liaison services, Peripatetic nurses, Family Therapy, a NationalProblem Gambling Service and a Club Drug Clinic.

Our substance misuse services are dedicated to helping reduce the harm caused bysubstance misuse dependency;helping people overcome their dependency on substances and helpingclients and their familiesrebuild their lives and enable recovery.We arecommitted to working in partnership with other providers and service users in local systems of treatment and recovery.

CNWLis committed to providing high quality, evidence-based treatment options and is a learning organisation which promotes staff competence and training and valuesclinical governance, audit and research. We are linked with Imperial College, University of London and are committed to evaluating our services and developing new and innovative approaches.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications. Please apply as soon as possible.

Details

Date posted

10 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£33,094 to £36,195 a year per annum inc HCAS (pro rata if P/T)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-D-AD-0556

Job locations

National Gambling Clinic

69 Warwick Road London

London

SW5 9BH


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about the advertised role, please refer to the job description & person specification included in the documents section of this advert.

To plan and undertake assessments of clients. This may include using motivational interviewing techniques, self-report measures, risk assessment, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care. Assessments will involve making judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options, as well as requiring prolonged concentration.

To write clinical summaries and care plans based on information gleaned at assessment and present these to the multi-disciplinary team

To work in a highly emotive atmosphere with clients with gambling problems on a regular basis, and be able to communicate sensitive and complex information, whilst maintaining a high degree of professionalism at all times.

To assist in the co-ordination and running of therapeutic groups, under the supervision of a qualified member of staff.

To liaise with referrers and clients and facilitate the referral process along with administrative staff. To maintain an oversight of client engagement from first contact to discharge.

Research and Clinical Governance

To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work.

To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects on a regular basis in order to help develop and improve service provision. This may include complex audits / service evaluation using qualitative or quantitative methods.

To undertake production of questionnaires, data collection, setting up of databases and spreadsheets, data analysis, and the production of reports and presentation of summaries to colleagues using IT and statistical programmes, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and SPSS.

To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research using the internet and online databases e.g. Psychinfo, to assist qualified clinical psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other multi-disciplinary team members.

To carry-out practice-based research using validated questionnaires, reflective scientist-practitioner skills, etc, as routine.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about the advertised role, please refer to the job description & person specification included in the documents section of this advert.

To plan and undertake assessments of clients. This may include using motivational interviewing techniques, self-report measures, risk assessment, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care. Assessments will involve making judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options, as well as requiring prolonged concentration.

To write clinical summaries and care plans based on information gleaned at assessment and present these to the multi-disciplinary team

To work in a highly emotive atmosphere with clients with gambling problems on a regular basis, and be able to communicate sensitive and complex information, whilst maintaining a high degree of professionalism at all times.

To assist in the co-ordination and running of therapeutic groups, under the supervision of a qualified member of staff.

To liaise with referrers and clients and facilitate the referral process along with administrative staff. To maintain an oversight of client engagement from first contact to discharge.

Research and Clinical Governance

To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work.

To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects on a regular basis in order to help develop and improve service provision. This may include complex audits / service evaluation using qualitative or quantitative methods.

To undertake production of questionnaires, data collection, setting up of databases and spreadsheets, data analysis, and the production of reports and presentation of summaries to colleagues using IT and statistical programmes, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and SPSS.

To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research using the internet and online databases e.g. Psychinfo, to assist qualified clinical psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other multi-disciplinary team members.

To carry-out practice-based research using validated questionnaires, reflective scientist-practitioner skills, etc, as routine.

Person Specification

TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • A 2:1 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 including mental health practice and/or research design and analysis

EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Previous direct work in a clinical setting with clients experiencing addiction or mental health problems
  • Experience of research

Desirable

  • Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
  • Experience of working in a prison or Addictions setting

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Essential

  • High level communication skills (written and verbal) including the ability to communicate around subjects that may be highly emotive
  • Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
  • An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context
  • An understanding of psychology applied to health care

Desirable

  • High standard of report writing
  • Experience of using SystmOne

PERSONAL

Essential

  • An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
  • An ability to interact with people with mental health problems disabilities.
  • Ability to work reliably and consistently with work agreed and supervised at regular intervals.
  • Ability to work independently and in new environments with a resilient and self-motivated attitude

Desirable

  • An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other disabilities.

OTHER

Essential

  • Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively

Desirable

  • A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology
Person Specification

TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • A 2:1 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 including mental health practice and/or research design and analysis

EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Previous direct work in a clinical setting with clients experiencing addiction or mental health problems
  • Experience of research

Desirable

  • Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
  • Experience of working in a prison or Addictions setting

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Essential

  • High level communication skills (written and verbal) including the ability to communicate around subjects that may be highly emotive
  • Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
  • An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context
  • An understanding of psychology applied to health care

Desirable

  • High standard of report writing
  • Experience of using SystmOne

PERSONAL

Essential

  • An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
  • An ability to interact with people with mental health problems disabilities.
  • Ability to work reliably and consistently with work agreed and supervised at regular intervals.
  • Ability to work independently and in new environments with a resilient and self-motivated attitude

Desirable

  • An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other disabilities.

OTHER

Essential

  • Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively

Desirable

  • A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology

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

National Gambling Clinic

69 Warwick Road London

London

SW5 9BH


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

National Gambling Clinic

69 Warwick Road London

London

SW5 9BH


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Service Manager

Barry Moye

barrymoye@nhs.net

07704355755

Details

Date posted

10 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£33,094 to £36,195 a year per annum inc HCAS (pro rata if P/T)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-D-AD-0556

Job locations

National Gambling Clinic

69 Warwick Road London

London

SW5 9BH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)