Job summary
We have an exciting opening for an Assistant Psychologist to join us on a permanent, full time basis, in Wirral Mental Health Support Team, Children and Young People's Mental Health Service (CYPMHS). MyMind CYPMHS in Wirral are working together with families and community services to improve mental health through accessible, inclusive, specialist care and support, to increase children and young people's potential and life chances. We seek to appoint an enthusiastic and dynamic individual who is passionate about improving the mental health of children and young people, and their families.
The Mental Health Support Teams are part of an exciting project funded by NHS England, Health Education England and partners, with the aim of improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties in Wirral Schools. The main focus of Mental Health Support Teams are:
To provide support and advice to school staff through consultation and training
To provide evidence-based interventions for children and young people with mild-moderate mental health difficulties on a 1-1 or group basis
To support schools in their development of a Whole School Approach to Mental Health
Main duties of the job
The overall aim of the role is to enhance the care of children and young people who access MHST. This will be achieved through a range of activities, including audit, service evaluation, and project work. As such, you should have strong research, data analysis and report writing skills. There will be opportunity for co-delivery of clinical interventions, such as group work with children or parenting programmes, under the supervision of the qualified Clinical Psychologist. The post-holder will have opportunity to work with staff from different professional backgrounds, including Education Mental Health Practitioners, Children and Young People's Wellbeing Practitioners, Mental Health Nurses, and Social Workers.
This is an exciting time for Children and Young People's Mental Health Services so please come and be part of the development. We welcome committed and conscientious individuals to join an ever-expanding team.
The post-holder will be based at Maple House, Birkenhead, though may also be required to work from our other bases or schools in Wirral. The post is offered on a full time, permanent basis.
We anticipate that there will be a high level of applications for this post, and so potential applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
For further information and for informal discussion please contact:
Dr Beth Larham, Consultant Clinical Psychologist:
About us
CWP provides health and care services for local people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care - including the provision of three GP surgeries.
Our aim is to help people to be the best they can be, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We were recently rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission with a Good rating overall.
We offer a variety of roles at all levels, so whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your skills and experience in a new role, CWP is the right employer for you.
CWP are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences.
To support this, we offer up to three weeks induction, dependent on role, with our Prepare to Care programme for all new starters. This aims to give you all the knowledge and guidance to help you grow and flourish with CWP.
We welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description for full details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which are the 6 Cs Communication, Competence, Courage, Care, Compassion and Commitment. A Guide to completing your application form can be accessed on the right side of this page under the job description.
The Supporting Information Section in your application should therefore reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated Behaviours. You will be expected to provide us with examples from work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviour.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
CWP is proud to be an accredited Veteran Aware organisation helping to provide and share best practice in NHS care for our armed forces community. As a veteran aware organisation, CWP is committed to delivering on the principles of the Armed Force Covenant and has a Silver award with the MOD Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (DERS).
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £13 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
If you experience any technical difficulties or need help when making an application please contact our Recruitment Team on 01244 393100.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Good honours degree in Psychology ( or above). Eligibility for Graduate Membership of BPS
Desirable
2. Advanced keyboard skills
3. Other related academic qualifications to Masters or Doctorate level.
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
4. The ability to communicate complex/ sensitive information where barriers to understanding exist. For example, instances requiring empathy and reassurance.
5. The ability to make judgements involving a range of facts or situations requiring analysis or comparison of a range of options. Also skills for assessing children/young people in one-to-one sessions, group dynamics or who are participating in research.
6. The ability to organise straightforward tasks, activities or programmes, some of which may be ongoing. Also, the ability to plan and prioritises own workload, research programme activities; group sessions, etc.
7. Working to Professional Guidelines.
8. Must be capable of working within guidelines; receives regular supervision/ direction
Desirable
9. Ability to use routinely available spreadsheet/database software (Excel, Access, etc.)
10. Record of having published in either peer reviewed or academic or professional journals and/or books
Experience
Essential
11. Demonstrable relevant work experience or knowledge of working with children and young people.
Desirable
12. Desire to progress to Clinical Training (DClinPsy)