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Job summary

Main area
Psychology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 30 hours per week (Requirement to work on Tuesdays)
Job ref
363-CH8207632
Employer
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Vivienne Cohen House
Town
Hackney London
Salary
£38,488 - £46,852 per annum pro rata Inc HCA
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
17/08/2026 23:59
Interview date
15/09/2026

Employer heading

East London NHS Foundation Trust logo

Assistant Psychologist

NHS AfC: Band 5

ELFT has long been recognised as a centre of excellence for mental and health care, innovation and improvement. So it is a very exciting time for you to come and work for us. Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic psychology assistant to join the mental health service in Hackney. As a member of the psychological therapies team embedded within the community mental health teams in the borough, you will be part of a comprehensive effort that includes a wide range of direct and indirect psychology services. These services encompass individual, group, and family therapy, as well as assessments, formulations, consultation, teaching, training, and supervision.

In this role, you will be responsible for conducting service user and team satisfaction surveys, performing audits, maintaining databases, and providing psychological assessments, formulations, and interventions under the guidance of the team psychologists. An essential aspect of your position will involve consulting with service users to enhance the service, for example, by utilizing PREMS surveys and organizing focus groups. We place great importance on service user consultation as a means to foster cultural competence and ensure trauma-informed care.

Additionally, you will participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and may engage in Quality Improvement (QI) projects within either the multidisciplinary team or the psychology service. You will also be tasked with conducting assessments and delivering evidence-based individual and group interventions. The expectation is that you will be on-site for the majority of your work hours.

Main duties of the job

The role involves providing assessments and evidence-based interventions, both individually and in groups, for clients under the care of the City and Hackney Community Mental Health Service, all while working under supervision. 

You will offer specialized advice within your expertise regarding the formulation and treatment plans for clients in the Community Mental Health Service. Additionally, you will support team efforts by delivering training sessions and sharing insights on specific psychological interventions.

Responsibilities also include gathering information and maintaining databases related to client care for the psychology team. You will engage in clinical audits and participate in research activities as needed.

To contribute to service improvement, you will conduct satisfaction surveys among service users and the team. Consulting with service users through methods such as PREMS surveys and focus groups, you will present findings to the team to ensure that their experiences and perspectives inform service development.

Moreover, you will take part in continuing professional development (CPD) and other growth activities, staying current with relevant psychological research and national guidelines. Lastly, you will adhere to established practices and procedures under the guidance and oversight of a qualified psychologist.

Working for our organisation

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please could you kindly refer to the job description and person specification attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Education/training

Essential criteria
  • Upper second or first class degree in Psychology (details to be provided with application)
  • Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
Desirable criteria
  • Masters degree in Applied Psychology or a further period of academic study at a commensurate level.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Minimum of 1 years’ clinical employment in an assistant psychologist or equivalent role within a secondary NHS mental health Trust team.
  • Experience of conducting research or audit relevant to a clinical psychology service.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of group work

Knowledge & Skills

Essential criteria
  • Graduate level knowledge of psychological research methodology and statistical analysis.
  • Good theoretical knowledge of psychological theories and concepts and their relevance to people with mental health problems and/or disabilities.
  • Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity issues and the ability to integrate into employment policies and practices.
  • An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context
  • An ability to interact with people with mental health and related problems
  • High standard of report writing and presentation skills
  • Good communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Good organizational skills
  • Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
  • Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
  • Well developed IT skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Teams, Outlook, Internet Explorer and Webex to a competent level. Good keyboard skills.
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of CBT
  • Knowledge of group work
  • An ability to contribute to the teaching and training of others.

Other

Essential criteria
  • Demonstration of the Trust values: being caring, respectful and inclusive.
Desirable criteria
  • Professional interest in Clinical/ Counselling Psychology

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Capital Nurse, LondonCommitted to being an Inclusive EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveHSJ Best places to workArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.

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
Dr Jonathan Morley
Job title
Senior Counselling Psychologist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
020 3222 8000
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