Assistant Psychologists Widening Access Scheme
Band 4
NELFT are delighted to be recruiting 2 new assistant psychologists across the Mental Health Support Teams in mid and South Essex under the widening access scheme funded by NHS England and NELFT. The widening access scheme for aspiring clinical psychologists is part of a nationally funded programme that aims to improve equity of access to training in the psychological professions. Some psychology graduates experience a range of barriers which reduce the chances of making a successful application to undertake postgraduate training, and we are passionate about supporting local people in overcoming these barriers.
This disadvantage affects certain groups such as first-generation graduates and care leavers; those who receive additional financial aid or with caring responsibilities. It is also likely that this impacts additionally across other socio-economic groups significantly under-represented in psychology including psychology graduates from ethnic groups who may experience marginalisation within the communities which we serve. We therefore particularly welcome applications from people from these backgrounds.
1. To be responsible for providing accurate records of information required by the Trust for audit purposes.
2. To support the provision of psychological support to people using the service.
3. To identify and engage with people using the service.
4. To carry out, under supervision, professionally based duties and responsibilities in the following areas: assessments of need and interventions.
5. To keep up to date with developments in psychology, and psychological therapies in order to maintain the highest possible standard of skills and knowledge.
6. To help run groups as required
7. To participate in service development programmes within the team.
Starting with NELFT
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
High Cost Area Supplement
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £1,258 and a maximum payment of £2,122 per annum pro rata).
We are looking for psychology graduates with at least a 2:2 undergraduate degree in psychology (eligible for graduate basis for registration with the BPS) or a conversion Master’s to Psychology and an interest in pursuing a career in the Psychological Professions. Candidates do not need to have a wealth of experience for these posts but do need to show an aptitude for working psychologically with people with mental health needs and an ability to be self-reflective. Candidates meeting these criteria will then be selected on the basis of their experience of barriers to career progression (for example not being able to complete post-graduate studies or taking on honorary contracts) for a variety of reasons including:
- Caring responsibilities
- Lived experience of mental health difficulties
- Low socio-economic background
Various factors including lack of access to high quality secondary education, being in receipt of free school meals, being the first person to attend university in the family, will be taken into account during recruitment.
Candidates with existing master’s degrees (other than a conversion Master’s) or previous experience as an assistant psychologist (paid or unpaid) are not eligible to apply for these posts.
Successful post-holders will have the opportunity to gain experience of NHS working as a psychological professional in development, in the Mental Health Support Team. Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) are a new service designed to support children and young people with mild to moderate mental health and emotional wellbeing in education settings.
We firmly hope that our assistant psychologists will progress into other roles in the psychological professions within the NELFT.
Please read the detailed job description and application guide.
Equal opportunities employer
We are committed to equal opportunities and diversity, are Disability Confident and therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community, people of all protected characteristics.
Correspondence with us
You are advised to regularly check your emails (including any junk mail/spam folders) for correspondence related to this post. In the event of a high number of responses to any advert, NELFT reserves the right to close the vacancy early. If you do not hear from us within three weeks of the closing date then please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.
Certificates of Sponsorship
Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points based system.
Use of AI
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
This advert closes on Thursday 27 Feb 2025