Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist

The closing date is 29 January 2026

Job summary

We are looking for a committed, capable, resilient and enthusiastic team player to join Thinking Well (East Sussex Tier 3 Personality Disorders specialist team).

As an Assistant Psychologist this role will be primarily supporting the Thinking Well staff and members to access specialist assessments and treatment within Thinking Well. Thinking Well is a group-based service made up of SPFT and VCSE staff for clients with complex emotional needs expecting to work with them for 3 years. As assistant psychologist you will be expected to support safety management planning, formulations and providing treatment within a SCM and MBT model. We work closely with NMHT's who provide referrals, and we hope you can support good communication between other services. We also need the successful candidate to support with ensuring outcome measures are collected and presented as part of our reporting on the service.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a psychology graduate with a genuine interest and experience in working with people who have complex emotional needs. Experience of running groups and experience of service development would also be desirable. We are a supportive team with a commitment to reflective practice, formulation and co-production. This is a varied role that involves clinical work, audit & evaluation, administration, consultation, reflective practice and training staff to work with personality disorder. You will be well supported in individual supervision with a qualified psychologist and team reflective practice sessions to take up this role, together with opportunities for further training.

About us

Working in Sussex:

Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns there's always new experiences to be enjoyed

Embrace the city life with great access to visit Brighton and London

With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure

We'd love you to join our organisation that is rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the Care Quality Commission. Our staff agree, with 82% of people in our recent staff survey telling us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.

Other key staff survey results include:

70% highlighting flexible working opportunities as a key point for satisfaction at work

79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work within their team

77% identifying the opportunities to show initiative in their roles

Date posted

15 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

354-AE-21246

Job locations

East Sussex

Hybrid Working

Eastbourne, Hellingly Bexhill Lewes

BN274EP

Job description

Job responsibilities

REQUIREMENTS

In order to be a successful Assistant Psychologist in our team you will be:

- Honours degree in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS

- Experience of working with people in a mental health setting or work with people with complex needs.

- Relevant Clinical & Research skills.

- Experience of working as part of a team.

- Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health context

It would also be advantageous if you were:

- Experience in running groups.

- Experience of service development.

The role incorporates a hybrid of working from primary care bases, remote working, and accessing the team bases for Thinking Well (located in Hellingly, Eastbourne, Bexhill & Lewes). SPFT staff have the capacity to work from home remotely where applicable and in agreement with your line manager.

To undertake projects relating to service development and evaluation.

To set up databases, spreadsheets and using advanced IT skills in evaluation audit and research.

To support assessment and treatment interventions undertaken by the service as appropriate to level of competence and training.

To undertake direct and indirect clinical work as required under live or regular supervision from qualified applied HPC registered Psychologist.

To plan, organise and co-teach psycho-educational courses and groups with appropriately qualified professional staff.

To undertake projects relating to service development and evaluation.

To set up databases, spreadsheets and using advanced IT skills in evaluation audit and research.

To support assessment and treatment interventions undertaken by the service as appropriate to level of competence and training.

To undertake direct and indirect clinical work as required under live or regular supervision from qualified applied HPC registered Psychologist.

To plan, organise and co-teach psycho-educational courses and groups with appropriately qualified professional staff.

To liaise with a range of services (including health, social care and voluntary agencies) relevant to the working