South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Assistant Psychologist

The closing date is 12 August 2025

Job summary

30 hours per week - Internal only - 24 month fixed term

This is an opportunity which offers the chance to be part of a team who pride themselves on offering forensic mental health services to children within the community and secure settings who display forensic behaviour. We have several pathways within the service; offering support to children aged 0-18 working closely with family, carers, and the professional systems to achieve the best possible outcomes and support healthy transitions in the community. We operate across the Yorkshire and Humber Region and offer the below Forensic Pathways.

Lead provider for Yorkshire and Humber FCAMHS, working in partnership with 3 Regional NHS Trusts.

Single Point of Access for the Region, providing initial advice for all referrals to Yorkshire and Humber Forensic CAMHS.

Focus Wakefield is our Local Harmful Sexual Behaviour service for Children and Young People residing in the Wakefield District.

Harmful Sexual Behaviour service on an in-reach basis to HMYOI Wetherby, working with young people aged 15-18 years old and supporting transition back into the community.

Forensic service on an in-reach basis to Adel Beck Secure Childrens Home and Aldine House, working with children and young people aged 10-18 years old, displaying forensic behaviour and supporting transition back into the community.

The service is Psychologically informed, formulation driven and is working on a strategy to be truly Trauma Informed in all aspects of service delivery.

Main duties of the job

A key part of this role will involve being part of a National FCAMHS Randomised Controlled Trial using Mentalisation Based Therapy with young people presenting with violence and/or aggression.You will support the Research by collating data and informing the analysis and reporting requirements for the service. You will get the opportunity to expand your portfolio with experience across the FCAMHS pathways.

You will have the support and supervision of the Principle Psychologist and wider Psychology network. You will also have the support of the Research Team who are providing support to the Research implementation.

You will get the opportunity for further training and development within FCAMHS and specific to the Research.

A key part of this role will involve being part of a National FCAMHS Randomised Controlled Trial using Mentalisation Based Therapy with young people presenting with violence and/or aggression. This will include data collation, analysis and reporting to inform the Research. There will also be opportunity to be involved in other audit and data analysis to inform service delivery and development across the pathways.

The post is 30hrs and interim for 2 years. The post is based within Wakefield; however, travel is essential across the region. The working hours for this post are 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday, with some options to consider flexible working arrangements.

To discuss the post please contact Helen BradbrookHelen.Bradbrook2@swyt.nhs.uk01924 316066

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Details

Date posted

29 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year Pro Rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9378-F0669

Job locations

Newton Lodge and Bretton Centre, Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

West Yorkshire

WF1 3SP


Job description

Job responsibilities

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

JOB SUMMARY

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

To support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the service, across all sectors of care; providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with a HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist and within the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures. To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and / or research projects, teaching and project work.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Clinical:

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

To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and / or management of a clients problems, under the supervision of a HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist.

To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups or clinical projects.

To work with other staff to assess community patients and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.

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

To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.

To respect diversity. To treat everyone with dignity and respect and act in ways that acknowledge and recognise peoples expressed beliefs, preferences and choices.

IT responsibilities (clinical)

To use highly developed IT skills.

To access knowledge through Internet searches (e.g. Psych.Lit, Medline) to keep up to date with clinical and professional development.

For the preparation and presentation of materials of effective teaching and training (e.g. power point, graphic representations) to record and analyse data for research and audit (e.g. databases, spreadsheets, statistical analysis packages e.g. SPPS).

To create graphs or charts to collate or summarise data on individual interventions or treatment programmes.

To assist in producing visual or material or user friendly information for interventions with clients.

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements (salary threshold or occupational requirements) set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, unfortunately we are unable to sponsor anyone on a visa for this role at this moment in time.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms.Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

JOB SUMMARY

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

To support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the service, across all sectors of care; providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with a HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist and within the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures. To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and / or research projects, teaching and project work.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Clinical:

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

To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and / or management of a clients problems, under the supervision of a HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist.

To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups or clinical projects.

To work with other staff to assess community patients and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.

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

To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.

To respect diversity. To treat everyone with dignity and respect and act in ways that acknowledge and recognise peoples expressed beliefs, preferences and choices.

IT responsibilities (clinical)

To use highly developed IT skills.

To access knowledge through Internet searches (e.g. Psych.Lit, Medline) to keep up to date with clinical and professional development.

For the preparation and presentation of materials of effective teaching and training (e.g. power point, graphic representations) to record and analyse data for research and audit (e.g. databases, spreadsheets, statistical analysis packages e.g. SPPS).

To create graphs or charts to collate or summarise data on individual interventions or treatment programmes.

To assist in producing visual or material or user friendly information for interventions with clients.

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements (salary threshold or occupational requirements) set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, unfortunately we are unable to sponsor anyone on a visa for this role at this moment in time.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms.Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

Person Specification

Physical Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
  • An ability to interact effectively with people with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
  • Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
  • Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
  • Able to travel throughout the catchment area, without unnecessary delays.
  • A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Desirable

  • An interest in working with people with mental health problems.
  • A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology.

Special Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
  • Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
  • Ability to communicate information which may be perceived as contentious to patients, carers and colleagues in a manner that promotes understanding and acceptance.
  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or other disabilities.
  • An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to health and social service contexts.
  • An understanding of psychology applied to health care.

Desirable

  • Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis.
  • Experience using microcomputers for databases or data analysis especially SPSS for Windows.
  • High standard of report writing.

Qualifications

Essential

  • An Honours degree in Psychology (2:1).
  • Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

Training

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

  • Practical experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities and/or psychological/behavioural/ neurological problems.

Desirable

  • Experience of paid work in direct care provision, particularly in the care group of the specialty of this post.
  • Experience of administering and scoring neuropsychological assessments.
Person Specification

Physical Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
  • An ability to interact effectively with people with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
  • Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
  • Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
  • Able to travel throughout the catchment area, without unnecessary delays.
  • A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Desirable

  • An interest in working with people with mental health problems.
  • A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology.

Special Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
  • Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
  • Ability to communicate information which may be perceived as contentious to patients, carers and colleagues in a manner that promotes understanding and acceptance.
  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or other disabilities.
  • An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to health and social service contexts.
  • An understanding of psychology applied to health care.

Desirable

  • Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis.
  • Experience using microcomputers for databases or data analysis especially SPSS for Windows.
  • High standard of report writing.

Qualifications

Essential

  • An Honours degree in Psychology (2:1).
  • Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

Training

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

  • Practical experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities and/or psychological/behavioural/ neurological problems.

Desirable

  • Experience of paid work in direct care provision, particularly in the care group of the specialty of this post.
  • Experience of administering and scoring neuropsychological assessments.

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

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Newton Lodge and Bretton Centre, Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

West Yorkshire

WF1 3SP


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Newton Lodge and Bretton Centre, Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

West Yorkshire

WF1 3SP


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Helen Bradbrook

Helen.Bradbrook@swyt.nhs.uk

01924316066

Details

Date posted

29 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year Pro Rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9378-F0669

Job locations

Newton Lodge and Bretton Centre, Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

West Yorkshire

WF1 3SP


Supporting documents

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