We are recruiting for an Assistant Psychologist (AP) Post for the Selden Centre in Worthing. The Selden Centre is an NHS ward which supports people who have learning disabilities and are in need of specialist mental health inpatient support. The Selden Centre has a good CQC rating and has accreditation with the RCPsych AIMS-LD programme. We are looking for candidates with a passion for improving the lives of people who have learning disabilities. We welcome applications from people who have lived experiences of mental health difficulties, disabilities or other disadvantages.
This post is part time - 3 days a week (22.5 hours). There is some flexibility regarding the contracted hours though working days will need to be during the week rather than the weekend.
You will be joining a friendly, supportive and creative multi-disciplinary team which is dedicated to providing a high-quality service. Our core business involves supporting short term admissions and preventing re-admissions. Partnership and collaborative working with the person and their other supporters are vital to achieve these aims. We work hard to ensure that the ward is a therapeutic space. Supports are highly adapted to meet individual's needs. The last 3 APs have all left this post to take up a Clinical Psychology Training post which suggests that this post offers very helpful experiences for aspiring Clinical Psychologists.
As an AP, you will offer psychologically informed assessments and interventions to service users with a range of needs and support the wider work of the small Selden Centre psychology team. Among other roles, you will facilitate groups, collate data, support audits, collect and interpret outcomes measures, support the individualised Positive Behaviour Support work and play a central role in the reducing physical restrictions programme. You will have a clear job plan and support to manage your time effectively. You will primarily work on the ward. Travel, other than for training purposes, is rare.
The Selden Centre is a nursing-led ward. There is always a nurse available for consultation and support. The post's supervisor is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Approved Clinician who is based on the ward for a little under 4 days a week.
IMPORTANT NOTE - to enable our equitable shortlisting processes, please start your supporting information section by answering the following question: "Please outline some of the ways in which you think an admission to a specialist hospital could be traumatic for people with learning disabilities. How can admissions be made less traumatic?" Please note that applications which do not answer this question will not be considered.
Sussex Partnership provides mental health and learning disability care for all age groups across Sussex.
Living and Working in West Sussex:
Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns.
Embrace the South Coast with a great range of historic and contemporary seaside towns.
According to the Met Office, West Sussex is the sunniest county in the UK.
We’d love you to join our Trust, rated ‘good’ overall and ‘outstanding’ for caring by the CQC. Our staff agree, in our recent staff survey 82% told us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.
Key survey results include:
70% highlighting flexible working opportunities as a key point for satisfaction at work.
79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work within their team.
77% identifying the opportunities to show initiative in their roles.
We are committed to inclusive recruitment and to eliminating gaps in opportunities, and pay with respect to race, disability and gender. We recognise that our workforce is underrepresented from black and minority ethnic and disabled communities and would welcome applications from people from these communities. We are part of the Guaranteed Interview Scheme and would welcome contact (see below) if you require any reasonable adjustments through the recruitment or interview process.
In order to be a successful Assistant Psychologist in our team you will be / have:
1. Passionate about working with adults who have learning disabilities and may also have a severe and enduring mental health need.
2. An Undergraduate, BPS accredited Psychology Degree achieving at least an Upper Second (2i) or an equivalent (such as a conversion Masters).
3. Confident to work in a busy environment, taking initiative and working independently when this is appropriate.
4. Confident in dealing with emotionally challenging situations and knowing when to seek support from experienced colleagues.
It would also be advantageous if you are:
1. Experienced working with adults who have learning disabilities.
2. Experience using adapted communication methods.
3. It is helpful if you have your own transport, but not essential.
The Selden Centre is just under 2 miles from the nearest train station (Durrington-on-Sea) and is accessible by bus. Previous APs have chosen to live in the bustling and inspiring city of Brighton and Hove which is approximately 12-15 miles away.
Please apply using the link in this advert, and do contact us for an informal conversation if you would find that helpful.
PLEASE NOTE: we expect a high volume of applications and reserve the right to close the advert early should we reach a maximum threshold.
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