Job summary
We are seeking an assistant psychologist to join our specialist CAMHS team of psychologists. The post holder will assist in the delivery of specialist assessment, formulation, intervention, and consultation for young people who present with high levels of risk (to self, to others, and/or from others). They will take on a variety of roles/duties, including:
o Clinical support (comprehensive assessments of risk, diagnostic/cognitive assessments, psychological interventions including CBT, DBT, AIM)o Research support (research projects/bids, service development, publications, literature reviews)o Administrative support (managing databases, clinical governance, preparing resources, arranging appointments)o Team duties (e.g., participation in reflective practice, consult, anti-racism and anti-oppression group, team meetings)
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will assist practitioner psychologists in their work with young people and families, who present with high-risk behaviours. This includes supporting the delivery of evidence-based assessment, including psychometrics, cognitive assessments, structured risk assessment; contributing to formulations of risk; delivering adapted individual/group interventions (e.g. CBT/DBT/AIM) for the young person, parent/carer, and/or professionals; and assisting in teaching/consultation to professionals. The post-holder will further be required to produce high-quality clinical resources and contribute to written assessment reports (including for court) and related service developments/audit/research projects, as well as support the team with clinical governance and their coordination of referrals/discharges.The post-holder will require highly developed verbal and written communication skills and show initiative to work independently under close supervision of a psychologist. They should be committed to providing high standards of care, and an ability to think creatively about overcoming barriers (individual/systemic) to engagement.
About us
About our locations:The post will be based at Michael Rutter Centre in the Maudsley Hospital which is located in Denmark Hill, less than 5 minutes from the train station (zone 2) and is within walking distance from green spaces (e.g., Ruskin Park) and a vibrant high-street (Camberwell). (Due to move to the Pears Maudsley Children and Young People (PMCYP) at the Maudsley Hospital in early 2026)
Flexible working:
As one of the few Trusts in London we are proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage. In this role, our team/office hours are typically Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00. At the current time, you would not be expected to work on weekends. (This may include working early mornings, later evenings or Saturdays as part of the core working hours/working pattern for this post)
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post-holder will assist practitioner psychologists within the Adolescent At-risk & Forensic Service to deliver a high-quality service to young people and their families across the UK. The key responsibilities and duties are outlined below:CLINICAL CARE To deliver clinical work as required by the service, under the direct guidance/close clinical and professional supervision of a practitioner psychologist. This will include assisting the team in the delivery of specialist assessments and interventions with young people with complex mental health difficulties and high risk/offending behaviour. To assist with preparation of written reports for CAMHS, professionals, and court referrers (including reviewing and summarising relevant background information), under the close supervision of a practitioner psychologist. To administer, score, and interpret the findings of cognitive and psychometric assessments, in addition to completion of standardised structured assessments of risk (including violence, harmful sexual behaviour, and child criminal/sexual exploitation). To support in the organisation, delivery, and write-up of clinical/informant interviews of young people, their families, and their professional networks. To organise and deliver direct therapeutic work with young people, parents/carers, and/or professional networks (e.g., CBT, DBT, AIM, reflective practice), under the close supervision of a practitioner psychologist. This can also include group interventions/workshops. To develop clinical resources to support the team to deliver clinical intervention to young people and their families. To organise and cofacilitate consultations with professionals around high-risk behaviours and concerns, under the close supervision of a practitioner psychologist. To attend and contribute to clinical meetings with professionals (e.g., social workers, teachers, placement staff, mental health professionals). To support the team in their coordination of referrals and discharges, including the presentation of cases and leading on the communication with families. To participate in clinical supervision with a qualified psychology colleague. To assist in clinically related administration as required (e.g. meeting minutes, arranging contact with families and professionals).RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT To contribute to research proposals and funding bids for the service. To support the service in the organisation, planning, delivery, and evaluation of scientific research and systematic reviews, including data collection and analysis, literature reviews, statistical analysis, and write up, under the close supervision of a practitioner psychologist. To contribute to the dissemination of the teams research and service evaluation findings (e.g., written and oral presentations, posters, published articles). To support the team to carry out relevant service evaluation and audit projects (e.g., patient experience, Tendable audit). To support the team to develop innovative and high-quality projects to improve service development. To attend and contribute to the teams monthly journal club. To be willing to work with Experts by Experience to co-produce and co-facilitate any service-related research projects.TEACHING AND TRAINING To support qualified psychologists in the delivery of teaching and training (e.g., to students/trainees at the IOPPN, professional groups, newly recruited staff/trainees). To participate in demonstrating work methods to newly recruited Assistant Psychologists and to support their development of necessary skills.TEAM EXPECTATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS Attending and contributing to the weekly team meeting (e.g., updating team members on known risk information and/or any clinical issues). Attending and contributing to team reflective practice. Attending and contributing to team consult (e.g., bringing self/clients for discussion, delivering mindfulness exercises, being an observer, recording meeting minutes). Attending and contributing to the teams Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression group. Attending and contributing to case presentation meetings. To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse and minoritized backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.INFORMATION AND CLINICAL GOVERNANCE To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures. Under the supervision of the practitioner psychologist, to maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry. To maintain any service databases through the regular inputting of data, as well as performing appropriate data analysis and producing reports as required. To support the team to maintain good clinical governance across their work (e.g., notifying and supporting in the completion of risk assessments, care plans, outcome measures, and other data quality indicators).
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post-holder will assist practitioner psychologists within the Adolescent At-risk & Forensic Service to deliver a high-quality service to young people and their families across the UK. The key responsibilities and duties are outlined below:CLINICAL CARE To deliver clinical work as required by the service, under the direct guidance/close clinical and professional supervision of a practitioner psychologist. This will include assisting the team in the delivery of specialist assessments and interventions with young people with complex mental health difficulties and high risk/offending behaviour. To assist with preparation of written reports for CAMHS, professionals, and court referrers (including reviewing and summarising relevant background information), under the close supervision of a practitioner psychologist. To administer, score, and interpret the findings of cognitive and psychometric assessments, in addition to completion of standardised structured assessments of risk (including violence, harmful sexual behaviour, and child criminal/sexual exploitation). To support in the organisation, delivery, and write-up of clinical/informant interviews of young people, their families, and their professional networks. To organise and deliver direct therapeutic work with young people, parents/carers, and/or professional networks (e.g., CBT, DBT, AIM, reflective practice), under the close supervision of a practitioner psychologist. This can also include group interventions/workshops. To develop clinical resources to support the team to deliver clinical intervention to young people and their families. To organise and cofacilitate consultations with professionals around high-risk behaviours and concerns, under the close supervision of a practitioner psychologist. To attend and contribute to clinical meetings with professionals (e.g., social workers, teachers, placement staff, mental health professionals). To support the team in their coordination of referrals and discharges, including the presentation of cases and leading on the communication with families. To participate in clinical supervision with a qualified psychology colleague. To assist in clinically related administration as required (e.g. meeting minutes, arranging contact with families and professionals).RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT To contribute to research proposals and funding bids for the service. To support the service in the organisation, planning, delivery, and evaluation of scientific research and systematic reviews, including data collection and analysis, literature reviews, statistical analysis, and write up, under the close supervision of a practitioner psychologist. To contribute to the dissemination of the teams research and service evaluation findings (e.g., written and oral presentations, posters, published articles). To support the team to carry out relevant service evaluation and audit projects (e.g., patient experience, Tendable audit). To support the team to develop innovative and high-quality projects to improve service development. To attend and contribute to the teams monthly journal club. To be willing to work with Experts by Experience to co-produce and co-facilitate any service-related research projects.TEACHING AND TRAINING To support qualified psychologists in the delivery of teaching and training (e.g., to students/trainees at the IOPPN, professional groups, newly recruited staff/trainees). To participate in demonstrating work methods to newly recruited Assistant Psychologists and to support their development of necessary skills.TEAM EXPECTATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS Attending and contributing to the weekly team meeting (e.g., updating team members on known risk information and/or any clinical issues). Attending and contributing to team reflective practice. Attending and contributing to team consult (e.g., bringing self/clients for discussion, delivering mindfulness exercises, being an observer, recording meeting minutes). Attending and contributing to the teams Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression group. Attending and contributing to case presentation meetings. To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse and minoritized backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.INFORMATION AND CLINICAL GOVERNANCE To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures. Under the supervision of the practitioner psychologist, to maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry. To maintain any service databases through the regular inputting of data, as well as performing appropriate data analysis and producing reports as required. To support the team to maintain good clinical governance across their work (e.g., notifying and supporting in the completion of risk assessments, care plans, outcome measures, and other data quality indicators).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A First-class or Upper-second-class (2:1) Bachelors degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society. (A)
Desirable
- A Masters degree in a relevant area of psychology (e.g. clinical, forensic) which is accredited by the British Psychological Society.
Experience
Essential
- Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through lived experience, work, research, and/or volunteering. (A/I)
- Sufficient experience of working with young people with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities in a relevant clinical setting. (A/I)
Desirable
- Experience of risk assessment and risk management, particularly with complex presentations of risk including harmful sexual behaviour, fire-setting, etc. (A/I
- Experience (including lived experience) of working with people with neurodiversity (LD/autism/ADHD) (A/I)
Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Graduate level knowledge of psychological research methodology and statistical analysis. (A/I)
- Good theoretical knowledge of the problems experienced by and needs of the Adolescent At-risk & Forensic Service (offending and risk behaviours) and knowledge of the relationship between mental health, neurodiversity and offending behaviour. (A/I)
- Skills in relevant psychological assessment and interventions that enable working as a pre-qualified practitioner with close clinical supervision. (A/I)
- Well-developed verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex, information to clients, families and colleagues. (A/I)
Desirable
- Knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics. (A/I)
Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work effectively within a team, participating in effective team functioning and holding team roles. (A/I)
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information to people who may have impediments to understanding. (A/I)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A First-class or Upper-second-class (2:1) Bachelors degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society. (A)
Desirable
- A Masters degree in a relevant area of psychology (e.g. clinical, forensic) which is accredited by the British Psychological Society.
Experience
Essential
- Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through lived experience, work, research, and/or volunteering. (A/I)
- Sufficient experience of working with young people with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities in a relevant clinical setting. (A/I)
Desirable
- Experience of risk assessment and risk management, particularly with complex presentations of risk including harmful sexual behaviour, fire-setting, etc. (A/I
- Experience (including lived experience) of working with people with neurodiversity (LD/autism/ADHD) (A/I)
Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Graduate level knowledge of psychological research methodology and statistical analysis. (A/I)
- Good theoretical knowledge of the problems experienced by and needs of the Adolescent At-risk & Forensic Service (offending and risk behaviours) and knowledge of the relationship between mental health, neurodiversity and offending behaviour. (A/I)
- Skills in relevant psychological assessment and interventions that enable working as a pre-qualified practitioner with close clinical supervision. (A/I)
- Well-developed verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex, information to clients, families and colleagues. (A/I)
Desirable
- Knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics. (A/I)
Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work effectively within a team, participating in effective team functioning and holding team roles. (A/I)
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information to people who may have impediments to understanding. (A/I)
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).
