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Job summary

Main area
Psychology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
346-TSL-017-26-A
Employer
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bankfields Court Inpatient Units
Town
Middlesbrough
Salary
£32,073 - £39,043 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/09/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust logo

Higher Assistant Psychologist

NHS AfC: Band 5

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care —our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won’t rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Job overview

This post offers exciting opportunities within the Tees Adult Learning Disability Service.  We are seeking to appoint a psychology graduate with previous experience as an assistant psychologist to work into our inpatient unit at Bankfields Court.

Bankfields Court is an inpatient facility which provides an assessment and treatment service for adults with learning disabilities, who also have associated mental health problems, behaviour that challenges or severe epilepsy.   

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Main duties of the job

The post holder will promote the recovery and wellbeing of our service users within a trauma informed framework, during their journey towards discharge.  Their core role will involve contributing to psychological assessment and formulation, supporting the team in using psychological and behavioural interventions (e.g. PBS), providing low intensity interventions, promoting staff-wellbeing, and carrying out clinical evaluation and audit. 

The successful applicant will have experience of working with people with mental health difficulties and, ideally, also with people with learning disabilities.  In addition, they will be enthusiastic, motivated, and passionate about improving the emotional wellbeing and quality of life of people with a learning disability. They will be working as part of a friendly and dynamic multi-disciplinary team under direct supervision from a Clinical Psychologist.

 

Working for our organisation

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the job description and person specification which outlines the main duties and responsibilities of the role.

Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this, we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academy’s Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.

This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.

 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Degree in psychology
  • Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable criteria
  • Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, youth work, work with offenders and/or research design and analysis

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience working as an Assistant Psychologist or equivalent.
  • Previous involvement in clinical audit, research or service evaluation.
  • Experience using statistical software packages e.g. SPSS
  • Experience of using psychometric assessments.
  • Experience working with people using services in psychological, mental health and/or social care settings. This may include, for example, personal experience or supporting a family member to access services.
  • Experience of communicating sensitive information
  • Experience of work interacting with the public
  • Experience in discussing and responding to issues related to cultural diversity, intersectionality and inclusivity, including working with vulnerable groups (e.g. those for whom English is not their first language).
Desirable criteria
  • Experience working in a multidisciplinary team
  • Experience of working with individuals with learning disability and autism

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities
  • An understanding of the application of psychology to health care.
  • Understanding of confidentiality.
  • Knowledge of the British Psychological Society Code of Conduct.
  • An ability to apply psychological knowledge to the population described in the job advert
  • Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
  • Awareness of systemic barriers to accessing psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities.

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to relate therapeutically to the needs of clients and in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service.
  • Utilise psychometric tests competently
  • Statistical analysis
  • Record keeping.
  • Plan and organise effectively to meet required timescales.
  • Use approved breakaway techniques
  • Has a full UK driving license
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to provide group interventions.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

We are a Living Wage EmployerVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Rainbow badgeStep into healthArmed Forces CovenantBetter Health at Work Gold Award

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Claire Vaughan
Job title
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Email address
[email protected]
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