Job summary
We have been developing new ways of bringing together health and social care professionals with our voluntary sector and local communities to support people with severe and complex mental health problems. Our community mental health services are currently undergoing a significant transformation designed to bring about a greater integration of service and support between different professional groups, and between organisations to facilitate better access to the right kind of intervention at the right time.
Clinical associate's in psychology (CAPs) working within our services have a crucial role to play in improving access to therapies and in promoting greater community engagement and partnership working with our complex and diverse client group.
The work will be under the supervision of a qualified HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist who will retain clinical responsibility for clinical work carried out.
Qualified CAPs will be working psychologically with individuals presenting with severe and complex mental health problems, in community settings at the individual, group, couple and family level through to teams, systems and community level.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will engage with individuals under the care of NELFT services to develop a shared understanding of the complex issues the person is facing, how they cope and the impact this has on their mental, physical health and well-being and those around them (psychological assessment and formulation). Under supervision of qualified Practitioner Psychologist, they will explore social and psychological interventions, and other potential options which may improve health outcomes and help clients to achieve agreed goals.
Service users seen by the post holder will include those who have experienced high levels of distress and complex mental health difficulties. Service users may present with a high level of risk to both themselves and sometimes to other people. Assessments and interventions will be delivered in a range of settings, including community, Community and Voluntary and Social Enterprises (VCSE) as well as clinics and in person, by telephone or digital platform.
The post holder would be expected to work closely with lived experience representatives, local communities and VCSEs to co-produce and co-develop services.
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 tostrive to provide the best care by the best people.
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period.
Starting with Us
NELFT places great importance on new starters being properly welcomed into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks, including mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process, new starters will also have the opportunity to meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend several drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing, and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,714 to a maximum of £5,941 p.a. pro rata for part time).
Job description
Job responsibilities
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)
Build relationships with key stakeholders, which include Service Users, people who care for and about service users, Lived Experience Representatives, Local Operational Leads, Psychological Therapies Lead/supervisor, Qualified, trainee and assistant psychologist & psychological therapists, Multidisciplinary colleagues working in community and Primary Care Networks, Local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Organisations and other community assets, Key stakeholders in the wider health and social care system
Work as part of a multidisciplinary community team and liaise with relevant external agencies to facilitate and enable psychological interventions
Communicate new learning approaches and provide constructive feedback to challenge and overcome barriers to implementation of best psychological practice
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.
To effectively communicate decision making processes which have informed the psychological management of risk; implement and respond appropriately to risk, using appropriate guidance and support, maintaining compliance with service policy and values
Understand impact of multiple perspectives within the context of multidisciplinary teams.
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
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)
Build relationships with key stakeholders, which include Service Users, people who care for and about service users, Lived Experience Representatives, Local Operational Leads, Psychological Therapies Lead/supervisor, Qualified, trainee and assistant psychologist & psychological therapists, Multidisciplinary colleagues working in community and Primary Care Networks, Local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Organisations and other community assets, Key stakeholders in the wider health and social care system
Work as part of a multidisciplinary community team and liaise with relevant external agencies to facilitate and enable psychological interventions
Communicate new learning approaches and provide constructive feedback to challenge and overcome barriers to implementation of best psychological practice
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.
To effectively communicate decision making processes which have informed the psychological management of risk; implement and respond appropriately to risk, using appropriate guidance and support, maintaining compliance with service policy and values
Understand impact of multiple perspectives within the context of multidisciplinary teams.
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 provide.
- NVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy.
- Graduate qualification BSc Psychology.
Desirable
- Additional specialist post-graduate training in relevant psychological area/therapy/modality and registered with the appropriate professional body.
- Upper second-class honours degree (2:1) in Psychology.
- Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of work in the NHS with adults with complex mental health needs.
- Delivering evidence based psychological interventions with individuals and groups presenting with severe and/or complex mental health problems.
- Experience of working with learning disabilities, autism and severe mental health difficulties and with behaviours that challenge
Desirable
- Experience in NHS or similar healthcare settings.
- Experience of applying NICE compliant therapies relevant to the population (e.g. Behavioural approaches/PBS, managing challenging behaviours, intervention for populations with a learning disability diagnosis).
- An ability to communicate difficult information with sensitivity, empathy and reassurance.
Knowledge
Essential
- An awareness of NHS Plan, NSF and clinical governance priorities
- Knowledge of learning disability populations including autism presentations, inpatient/acute psychology and of evidence based psychological treatments.
- Sound knowledge of theoretical underpinnings of at least one evidence based psychological therapy, and ability to apply this in practice.
Desirable
- Master's level knowledge of research design and methodology.
- Up to date knowledge of psychological research and national guidance relevant to the client group.
- Ability to draw upon a specific theoretical knowledge base in the analysis of facts or situations to arrive at appropriate formulations, under clinical supervision.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MCAP qualification from a recognised CAP provide.
- NVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy.
- Graduate qualification BSc Psychology.
Desirable
- Additional specialist post-graduate training in relevant psychological area/therapy/modality and registered with the appropriate professional body.
- Upper second-class honours degree (2:1) in Psychology.
- Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of work in the NHS with adults with complex mental health needs.
- Delivering evidence based psychological interventions with individuals and groups presenting with severe and/or complex mental health problems.
- Experience of working with learning disabilities, autism and severe mental health difficulties and with behaviours that challenge
Desirable
- Experience in NHS or similar healthcare settings.
- Experience of applying NICE compliant therapies relevant to the population (e.g. Behavioural approaches/PBS, managing challenging behaviours, intervention for populations with a learning disability diagnosis).
- An ability to communicate difficult information with sensitivity, empathy and reassurance.
Knowledge
Essential
- An awareness of NHS Plan, NSF and clinical governance priorities
- Knowledge of learning disability populations including autism presentations, inpatient/acute psychology and of evidence based psychological treatments.
- Sound knowledge of theoretical underpinnings of at least one evidence based psychological therapy, and ability to apply this in practice.
Desirable
- Master's level knowledge of research design and methodology.
- Up to date knowledge of psychological research and national guidance relevant to the client group.
- Ability to draw upon a specific theoretical knowledge base in the analysis of facts or situations to arrive at appropriate formulations, under clinical supervision.
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).
