Job summary We are looking to recruit two experienced, enthusiastic, organised and motivated Assistant Psychologists who are keen to use their initiative. Both Assistant Psychologists will have the opportunity to work within Austen House, a CAMHS inpatient service for adolescents. Austen House is currently in the process of developing a new seven bedded adolescent Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) to sit alongside the existing Low Secure Unit (LSU). One Assistant Psychologist will be required to work within the Low Secure Unit and one Assistant Psychologist will be required to work within the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit. Although both roles may involve flexible working across both wards at times, dependent upon clinical need. Main duties of the job This post provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of a comprehensive and high-quality service for young people experiencing a range of complex presenting problems. The post offers close multi-agency and multi-disciplinary working. The role will involve the use and development of psychological skills to contribute to the understanding and treatment of psychological distress and risk within an attachment and trauma informed model of care. There will be opportunities for direct clinical work with young people and the systems around them, within individual and group settings. The appointed AP will contribute to a psychologically informed environment via formulation, training, and reflective practice. Continuing professional development is encouraged and opportunities to use research skills. About us Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve. Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trusts community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working. Date posted 07 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £29,970 to £36,483 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 348-SS-7230 Job locations Austen House Tatchbury Mount, Calmore Southampton Hampshire SO40 2TA Job description Job responsibilities Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible. We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. Job description Job responsibilities Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible. We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. Person Specification Qualifications Essential BA or BSc in Psychology, modular studies, or related fields. Desirable BA or BSc in Psychology, recognised by the British Psychological Society. Further training & relevant qualifications in psychological skills or principles. Experience Essential Post-graduate clinical placement and/or supervised practice in mental health and/or forensic services as an Assistant Psychologist, Research Assistant or equivalent. Desirable Experience of teaching or training. Experience of the application of psychological therapies in different cultural contexts. Experience of delivering group programmes. Previous assistant experience with children and adolescents or inpatient settings of at least 1 year. Previous assistant experience or similar professional role (e.g. IAPT practitioner or previous professional experience). Additional Criteria Essential Skills and Values An understanding, or a keenness to develop an understanding, of the application of psychological principles or skills to ameliorate emotional distress and or risk. Excellent verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills. Analytical and judgement skills evidenced by an ability to integrate and evaluate complex data to aid formulations and decision-making. Organisational and time management skills. A willingness to undertake PMVA training, in accordance with the Trust policy. An ability to work autonomously within a defined managed and occupational context, using supervision as appropriate. Ability to form good working relationships with others in a multidisciplinary and multi-agency setting. Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice. Approach Can demonstrate effective teamwork. Flexible and adaptive working style; an ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of young people and families from a wide geographical area and across services, as required. Calm under pressure. An ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse, and the threat of physical abuse. Self-motivated and able to work without supervision, as appropriate. Diplomatic and empathetic manner. Able to maintain confidentiality. Attention to detail. Full driving licence with access to a car. Desirable Knowledge of problems faced by young people with mental health problems and their families. Experience in project management or research completion. Current knowledge of relevant legislation and ethical issues. Interest in contributing to service development. Person Specification Qualifications Essential BA or BSc in Psychology, modular studies, or related fields. Desirable BA or BSc in Psychology, recognised by the British Psychological Society. Further training & relevant qualifications in psychological skills or principles. Experience Essential Post-graduate clinical placement and/or supervised practice in mental health and/or forensic services as an Assistant Psychologist, Research Assistant or equivalent. Desirable Experience of teaching or training. Experience of the application of psychological therapies in different cultural contexts. Experience of delivering group programmes. Previous assistant experience with children and adolescents or inpatient settings of at least 1 year. Previous assistant experience or similar professional role (e.g. IAPT practitioner or previous professional experience). Additional Criteria Essential Skills and Values An understanding, or a keenness to develop an understanding, of the application of psychological principles or skills to ameliorate emotional distress and or risk. Excellent verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills. Analytical and judgement skills evidenced by an ability to integrate and evaluate complex data to aid formulations and decision-making. Organisational and time management skills. A willingness to undertake PMVA training, in accordance with the Trust policy. An ability to work autonomously within a defined managed and occupational context, using supervision as appropriate. Ability to form good working relationships with others in a multidisciplinary and multi-agency setting. Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice. Approach Can demonstrate effective teamwork. Flexible and adaptive working style; an ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of young people and families from a wide geographical area and across services, as required. Calm under pressure. An ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse, and the threat of physical abuse. Self-motivated and able to work without supervision, as appropriate. Diplomatic and empathetic manner. Able to maintain confidentiality. Attention to detail. Full driving licence with access to a car. Desirable Knowledge of problems faced by young people with mental health problems and their families. Experience in project management or research completion. Current knowledge of relevant legislation and ethical issues. Interest in contributing to service development. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Address Austen House Tatchbury Mount, Calmore Southampton Hampshire SO40 2TA Employer's website https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)