Job summary
The Senior Assistant Psychologist is an experienced assistant psychologist, who plays a key role in ensuring the safe, effective and person-centred management of referrals into KT Healthcare’s Right to Choose (RtC) Autism Assessment Service. You will oversee complex screening cases, carry out risk assessment calls and act as a key point of contact for families and referrers regarding risk and service access.
Must have experience in conducting dynamic risk assessments, via phone call. Ability to respond to any safeguarding concerns or disclosures. You will have a proven track record of managing difficult phone calls and asking for sensitive information or discussing potentially upsetting topics such as self-harm, suicidal ideation, eating disorders etc.
You will also contribute to service development, leading peer supervision and CPD sessions for the current team of assistant psychologists. You will bring expert subject knowledge in the world of autism and an ability to structure and support staff through reflective practice cycles.
Main duties of the job
Referral Screening and Assessment
Conduct detailed screening of referrals to the RtC Autism Assessment Service, ensuring each case meets the criteria for assessment
Assess suitability of referrals, identifying risk factors, complexity and accessibility concerns
Liaise with referrers to clarify referral information and ensure completeness of documentation
Risk and Safeguarding Management:
Carry out structured risk assessment calls with clients and families identified with potential risks, evaluating safety and suitability for the service
Engage in collaborative risk decision making under supervision from the Team Lead and/or clinical psychologist
Communicate the outcomes of risk assessments clearly, sensitively and professionally to clients, families and relevant stakeholders
Refer cases to clinical psychologists or external services as appropriate, ensuring continuity of care and safety
Act as a point of contact for families seeking advice, expressing concerns or requiring reassurance around risk and safety Record Keeping and Data Management:
Maintain accurate, comprehensive and confidential electronic records of all assessment communications and outcomes on the patient record system
Ensure compliance with data protection (UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018) and KT Healthcare’s confidentiality and data policies Team and Service Development:
Support the Team Lead in promoting team cohesion within office-based operations and clinical coordination team
Assist in the development and delivery of the team’s CPD, contributing to staff learning and reflective practice
Contribute to service improvement initiatives to aid the enhancement of the referral and assessment pathways for the RtC service.
Provide informal guidance and support to colleagues, fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment Supervision and Collaboration
Work closely with Team Leads and maintain regular supervision with allocated Clinical Psychologists
Collaborate effectively with operational colleagues to ensure timely progression of referrals and effective communication between services
Participate actively in team meetings, supervision and reflective practice. Safeguarding and Professional Conduct
Adhere to safeguarding policies and procedures at all times
Identify and escalate safeguarding or clinical concerns promptly, following internal procedures
Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality and integrity at all times with clients, patients, colleagues and families. Core Competencies
Experience in conducting a dynamic risk assessment via phone call
Ability to respond to any safeguarding concerns or disclosures
Proven track record of managing difficult phone calls and asking for sensitive information or discussing potentially upsetting topics such as; self-harm, suicidal ideation, eating disorders etc.
Experience in healthcare, mental health or a clinical coordination role involving risk assessment or patient triage
Strong communication skills
Ability to handle sensitive and complex conversations, confidently and compassionately
Ability to maintain accurate and confidential records
Understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures
Experience working in multidisciplinary teams
Excellent organisational and decision-making skills Desirable
Experience in screening or triaging referrals in a clinical setting
Experience of working within autism and neurodevelopmental services
Knowledge of risk assessment frameworks and decision-making processes
Familiarity with electronic patient record systems
About us
A family-owned private therapy company specialising in Autism Diagnostic Services. Our core values centre around establishing meaningful connections with our patients and their families while delivering diagnostic assessments of the highest quality. We collaborate extensively with GPs, NHS ICBs and aim to deliver high-quality, meticulously vetted diagnostic assessments and reports.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are looking for an experienced Senior Assistant Psychologist to join our expanding Autism Service. This is a key role within our Right to Choose (RtC) Autism Assessment pathway, supporting the safe, effective and person-centred management of referrals.
You’ll take the lead on complex referral screening, conduct dynamic risk assessment calls, and act as a primary point of contact for families and referrers regarding risk, safeguarding and service access. You will also support the development of our team by leading peer supervision, CPD sessions and reflective practice.
If you’re confident managing sensitive conversations, experienced in risk assessment, and passionate about improving outcomes for autistic individuals and their families, we’d love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities Referral Screening & Assessment
-
Review and screen referrals to ensure suitability for our RtC Autism Assessment Service
-
Identify complexity, risk factors and accessibility needs
-
Liaise with referrers to gather or clarify information
Risk & Safeguarding
-
Conduct structured, dynamic risk assessment calls with clients and families
-
Make informed risk decisions under supervision from senior clinicians
-
Communicate assessment outcomes sensitively and professionally
-
Escalate safeguarding concerns appropriately and promptly
-
Provide advice and reassurance to families around risk and safety
Record Keeping
-
Maintain accurate, confidential clinical records
-
Adhere to UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and internal data policies
Team & Service Development
-
Support team cohesion and collaborative working
-
Lead CPD sessions and reflective practice for assistant psychologists
-
Contribute to service development and process improvements
Collaboration & Professional Conduct
-
Participate in supervision, team meetings and multidisciplinary discussions
-
Uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality and safeguarding standards at all times
About You Essential
-
Experience conducting dynamic risk assessments over the phone
-
Confident managing sensitive conversations around topics such as self-harm, suicidal ideation or eating disorders
-
Strong understanding of safeguarding procedures and ability to respond to concerns or disclosures
-
Experience working in healthcare, mental health or clinical coordination roles involving risk assessment or patient triage
-
Excellent communication, decision-making and organisational skills
-
Ability to handle sensitive conversations with compassion and professionalism
-
Experience working within multidisciplinary teams
Desirable
-
Experience screening or triaging clinical referrals
-
Knowledge of autism and neurodevelopmental pathways
-
Familiarity with risk assessment frameworks
-
Experience using electronic patient record systems
Qualifications Degree in Psychology or related field.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are looking for an experienced Senior Assistant Psychologist to join our expanding Autism Service. This is a key role within our Right to Choose (RtC) Autism Assessment pathway, supporting the safe, effective and person-centred management of referrals.
You’ll take the lead on complex referral screening, conduct dynamic risk assessment calls, and act as a primary point of contact for families and referrers regarding risk, safeguarding and service access. You will also support the development of our team by leading peer supervision, CPD sessions and reflective practice.
If you’re confident managing sensitive conversations, experienced in risk assessment, and passionate about improving outcomes for autistic individuals and their families, we’d love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities Referral Screening & Assessment
-
Review and screen referrals to ensure suitability for our RtC Autism Assessment Service
-
Identify complexity, risk factors and accessibility needs
-
Liaise with referrers to gather or clarify information
Risk & Safeguarding
-
Conduct structured, dynamic risk assessment calls with clients and families
-
Make informed risk decisions under supervision from senior clinicians
-
Communicate assessment outcomes sensitively and professionally
-
Escalate safeguarding concerns appropriately and promptly
-
Provide advice and reassurance to families around risk and safety
Record Keeping
-
Maintain accurate, confidential clinical records
-
Adhere to UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and internal data policies
Team & Service Development
-
Support team cohesion and collaborative working
-
Lead CPD sessions and reflective practice for assistant psychologists
-
Contribute to service development and process improvements
Collaboration & Professional Conduct
-
Participate in supervision, team meetings and multidisciplinary discussions
-
Uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality and safeguarding standards at all times
About You Essential
-
Experience conducting dynamic risk assessments over the phone
-
Confident managing sensitive conversations around topics such as self-harm, suicidal ideation or eating disorders
-
Strong understanding of safeguarding procedures and ability to respond to concerns or disclosures
-
Experience working in healthcare, mental health or clinical coordination roles involving risk assessment or patient triage
-
Excellent communication, decision-making and organisational skills
-
Ability to handle sensitive conversations with compassion and professionalism
-
Experience working within multidisciplinary teams
Desirable
-
Experience screening or triaging clinical referrals
-
Knowledge of autism and neurodevelopmental pathways
-
Familiarity with risk assessment frameworks
-
Experience using electronic patient record systems
Qualifications Degree in Psychology or related field.
Person Specification
Senior Assistant Psychologist
Essential
- Experience in conducting a dynamic risk assessment via phone call
- Ability to respond to any safeguarding concerns or disclosures
- Proven track record of managing difficult phone calls and asking for sensitive information or discussing potentially upsetting topics such as; self-harm, suicidal ideation, eating disorders etc.
- Experience in healthcare, mental health or a clinical coordination role involving risk assessment or patient triage
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to handle sensitive and complex conversations, confidently and compassionately
- Ability to maintain accurate and confidential records
- Understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures
- Experience working in multidisciplinary teams
- Excellent organisational and decision-making skills
Desirable
- Experience in screening or triaging referrals in a clinical setting
- Experience of working within autism and neurodevelopmental services
- Knowledge of risk assessment frameworks and decision-making processes
- Familiarity with electronic patient record systems
Person Specification
Senior Assistant Psychologist
Essential
- Experience in conducting a dynamic risk assessment via phone call
- Ability to respond to any safeguarding concerns or disclosures
- Proven track record of managing difficult phone calls and asking for sensitive information or discussing potentially upsetting topics such as; self-harm, suicidal ideation, eating disorders etc.
- Experience in healthcare, mental health or a clinical coordination role involving risk assessment or patient triage
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to handle sensitive and complex conversations, confidently and compassionately
- Ability to maintain accurate and confidential records
- Understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures
- Experience working in multidisciplinary teams
- Excellent organisational and decision-making skills
Desirable
- Experience in screening or triaging referrals in a clinical setting
- Experience of working within autism and neurodevelopmental services
- Knowledge of risk assessment frameworks and decision-making processes
- Familiarity with electronic patient record systems
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.
