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Job summary

Main area
Assistant Psychologist
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (12 month FTC)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
364-A-9580
Employer
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
2 Heath Close
Town
Billericay
Salary
£27,485 - £30,162 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
04/12/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Assistant Psychologist

Band 4

Our Trust cares for more than 100,000 patients at any one time across our community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex and parts of Bedfordshire and Suffolk. 

We want you to be part of our journey of transformation, where our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and to achieve our vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care.

You’ll be part of a Trust where you will be supported to be your authentic self and be the best you can be, where we will help you to grow, develop and thrive. 

The Trust is recognised by the University of Essex and is a top provider of apprenticeships for people looking to be an assistant practitioner, senior health care support worker (CAP). Our trailblazing CAP apprenticeship won a national HSJ Award.

We are also recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust and holder of gold accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme. Our services are highlighted as an exemplar of good practice, producing the best care for more than 3.500 armed forces veterans in the past seven years. 

We have been shortlisted and won national awards. We are an inclusive organisation and Level 3 Disability Confident Leader Trust.

We are constantly innovating and looking for new ways to deliver care, such as using technology to enhance patient care and working with partners to launch new services such as the Basildon Mental Health Urgent Care Department, virtual hospitals and falls response cars.  

Join us and you’ll do the best work of your life – and make a difference to other people’s lives. What we do together, matters.

Job overview

Another opportunity has arisen to recruit an additional assistant psychologist to the specialist Community Forensic Team

The SCFT ( Specialist Community Forensic Team) work with service users with  moderate to severe mental health difficulties and a forensic history from the Essex area who are being cared for within medium and low secure mental health units, primarily in Essex (Brockfield House, Edward House and St Andrew’s) as well as Essex residents cared for in units in other counties (e.g. Kneesworth House).

The majority of service users on the teams’ caseload will have been detained under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act; often with restrictions under Section 41. The team also accept service users detained under section 47/49 and section 3 of the Mental Health Act.

We currently have a vacancy for an Assistant Psychologist to join Forensic Psychological Services ( community team ) on a Fixed Term Contract of one year at Heath Close,  Billericay on a full-time basis. This post would be suitable for someone who wishes to gain further experience in the fields of clinical, counselling  or forensic psychology. The post holder will be given regular supervision with a qualified and experienced principal psychologist, and will be supported to develop their understanding of the applications of psychology with a range of mental health needs.

Main duties of the job

SCFT works as a multidisciplinary team which comprises of a consultant forensic psychiatrist, nursing staff, a principal psychologist, occupational therapists and assistants, recovery team workers, trainees, health care assistants and social workers. The psychology team aims to address patients’ mental health needs and forensic risk through a combination of individual and group evidenced-based interventions.

Post holders will have the opportunity to observe psychological assessments and interventions being carried out by the psychologist and  psychologists in training, to jointly facilitate treatment groups, and to independently carry out pieces of clinical work, such as psychometric and neuropsychological assessments, risk assessments and appropriate clinical interventions under supervision. Training will be given in relevant areas in order to support the post holder both in this role and in their on-going career progression.

Candidates need to be an enthusiastic and committed graduate who wish to develop their clinical skills working in a progressive team providing a high quality psychology service for men and women with severe and enduring mental health problems.

Please note this advert will close early should a high volume of applications be received. Late applications will unfortunately not be accepted.

Working for our organisation

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you. 

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
  • We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
  • Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see full the Job Description and Person Specification documents which are available to download.

This advert will close early due to a high number of applications, please ensure your applications are submitted as soon as possible as late submissions will not be accepted.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications / Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Degree from a BPS accredited course in psychology (2:1 and above).
  • Entitlement to Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society.
  • Graduate level knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practical within the clinical fields of psychology
Desirable criteria
  • Further post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, health practice and/or research design and analysis.
  • Training in the use of structured professional judgement tools, such as the HCR-20.
  • Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for people with a learning disability and mental health problems.

Skills/Experience

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate well with people with a learning disability and/or complex mental health problems.
  • Experience in working in a learning disability or mental health related setting/s.
  • An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines
  • An ability to interact with client group.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist.
  • Experience of facilitation/co-facilitation of psychology groups.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Essex Family Friendly Employers

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sharon Akinkunmi
Job title
Principal Counselling Psychologist
Email address
[email protected]
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