Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist

The closing date is 29 August 2025

Job summary

We are looking to recruit a highly motivated and enthusiastic Assistant Psychologist to work within our adult Community Learning Disability Team in Norwich.

You would become part of our multidisciplinary team including psychology, nursing, dietetics, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. We offer holistic, person centred and targeted support for adults with a learning disability living in Norwich.

Under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist the assistant psychologist will contribute to the assessment of service users, including risk assessments and carry out direct interventions with service users. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the audit and research activity of the service and should have a keen interest in developing research skills.

We would expect the successful applicant to have a good first degree in psychology, excellent organisational skills, and sound team working skills. An interest in developing psychological knowledge and skills within a learning disability service is essential.

Main duties of the job

Honours Degree (minimum 2:1) in Psychology, accredited by the British Psychological Society.

Experience of working with individuals with complex needs including developmental disorders and mental illness.

Experience of communicating with clients who have severe limitations in comprehension and expression.

Experience of working across a range of care settings including out-patient, in-patient, community and residential care settings.

Good knowledge of relevant psychological theories, psychometric assessment and theory.

Knowledge of cognitive-behavioural therapy or one model of counselling.

Proficiency in the use of Positive Behaviour Support.

Proficiency in psychological assessment.

Proficiency in research including sampling, qualitative data collection, quantitative data collection and statistical analysis.

Proficiency in keyboard skills, word processing, and internet and email use.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.

Our family of over 4000 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.

The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Our Trust values are:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!

Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be?

Date posted

15 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

367-LD&F-9646

Job locations

County Hall

Martineau Lane

Norwich

NR1 2DH

Job description

Job responsibilities

To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users applying psychological measures, including psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, risk assessments, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the service users care.

To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users difficulties, under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist.

To work with other members of the staff team to assess service users and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews & CPA meetings.

To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users of the service, across all settings where care takes place.

To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.

TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

In common with all assistant psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post-holder is employed.

To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care, especially in areas related to learning disabilities, trauma, behaviours that can challenge, mental health and offending behaviours.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To work with other members of the staff team to assess service users and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews & CPA meetings.

To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users of the service, across all settings where care takes place.

To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.

TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

In common with all assistant psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post-holder is employed.

To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

Person Specification

Knowledge/Skills

Essential

Honours Degree in Psychology 2:1 or above
Previous experience of working within a care setting
Has mentioned why interested in this post

Desirable

Masters Degree/Postgraduate Studies in Psychology
Previous experience of working with people with learning disabilities

Person Specification

Knowledge/Skills

Essential

Honours Degree in Psychology 2:1 or above
Previous experience of working within a care setting
Has mentioned why interested in this post

Desirable

Masters Degree/Postgraduate Studies in Psychology
Previous experience of working with people with learning disabilities

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

County Hall

Martineau Lane

Norwich

NR1 2DH

Employer's website

https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

County Hall

Martineau Lane

Norwich

NR1 2DH

Employer's website

https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)