Job summary
We are recruiting qualified Clinical Associates in Psychology (CAPs) to our adult mental health services in North East London. The positions are full time and open to individuals who have completed the MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology course with an associated University.
You will be employed full time as a CAP, working within one of our Mental Health and Wellbeing teams in Waltham Forest.
Successful applicants will undertake assessment, formulation and evidence based psychological interventions with people experiencing complex mental health issues from diverse backgrounds, as well as developing meaningful links between our service users and community-based resources which support social inclusion in our London Boroughs. Interventions will include the facilitation of groups as well as individual therapy.
You will have a key role in contributing to the integration of psychological professionals within MDTs and in developing more accessible and coherent pathways into psychological therapy.
You will work under the supervision of an experienced Clinical or Counselling Psychologist, and be a part of our supportive and skilled Community of Psychological Professions.
Applicants must have completed and passed the MSc CAP training and show a commitment to working within the NHS as a CAP to support improvement in access to psychological therapies
Main duties of the job
Provide psychological assessment, formulation and evidence-based interventions to people living with complex mental health issues, under the supervision of a qualified Practitioner Psychologist (clinical or counselling psychologist).
- To communicate constructively with a range of healthcare professionals in a variety of services including nurses, social workers, allied health professionals (AHPs) and medical colleagues as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT)
- Work as part of a multidisciplinary community team and liaise with relevant external agencies to facilitate and enable psychological interventions
- Communicate to others the core concepts of psychological theory, research and practice in order to enhance their delivery of psychological interventions.
- Contribute to the training and development of the wider MDT regarding key psychological concepts and principles relevant to the clinical care of service users.
- Carry out risk assessments in relation to psychological distress and to ensure that risk formulations are integrated with interventions understanding contingency management and the use of risk indicators in mitigating against crises.
- To spend sustained amounts of time with service users whose behaviour may be aggressive and hostile, who may have poor verbal communication skills and self-care and special physical and/or mental needs.
About us
Our Values 2025 - 2030
Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.
They are:
We are kind.
We are respectful.
We work together with our communities.
These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.
Starting with NELFT
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period.
High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,714 and a maximum payment of £5,941 - per annum, pro rata for part time
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.
We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Please apply as soon as possible as some posts close early to limit the number of applications.
Certificates of Sponsorship
Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.
Use of AI
Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.
We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Please apply as soon as possible as some posts close early to limit the number of applications.
Certificates of Sponsorship
Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.
Use of AI
Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MCAP qualification from a recognised CAP provider
- professional registration
Experience
Essential
- Experience of assessing and treating mental health presentations at secondary care level
- Experience of formulating needs and identifying appropriate treatments
Desirable
- Work with behaviours that challenge services
- Lived experience of mental health issues or psychological problems as a service user or carer
Knowledge
Essential
- Sound knowledge of theoretical underpinnings of at least one evidence based psychological therapy, and ability to apply this in practice
- Awareness of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health
- Coherent understanding of how adverse experiences and environment impact on mental health and well-being
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills with service users, carers, staff and community partners
- Manage effectively exposure to distressing/highly emotional circumstances.
- Respectful and collaborative approach to service users, families, carers, colleagues and other professionals
- Awareness of diversity of cultural norms across the borough, and being able to respond to this appropriately.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MCAP qualification from a recognised CAP provider
- professional registration
Experience
Essential
- Experience of assessing and treating mental health presentations at secondary care level
- Experience of formulating needs and identifying appropriate treatments
Desirable
- Work with behaviours that challenge services
- Lived experience of mental health issues or psychological problems as a service user or carer
Knowledge
Essential
- Sound knowledge of theoretical underpinnings of at least one evidence based psychological therapy, and ability to apply this in practice
- Awareness of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health
- Coherent understanding of how adverse experiences and environment impact on mental health and well-being
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills with service users, carers, staff and community partners
- Manage effectively exposure to distressing/highly emotional circumstances.
- Respectful and collaborative approach to service users, families, carers, colleagues and other professionals
- Awareness of diversity of cultural norms across the borough, and being able to respond to this appropriately.
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).
