Assistant Psychologist

Job summary

We are seeking to recruit a passionate, motivated and enthusiastic Assistant Psychologists to join our established and innovative Adult Learning Disability Teams in the Coastal & Western areas of West Sussex.

Your role will be to support clinical work with individual clients, families, teams and wider systems. Your work will involve direct clinical assessments, formulations and interventions under the supervision of an experienced clinical psychologist. You will also have a key role in supporting the delivery of the dementia screening programme within the service.

Work will be clinically appropriate and well supported, affording a range of experiences suitable for people who are aiming to apply for clinical psychology training. Individual supervision will be provided by experienced colleagues and encouragement given to develop both clinically and professionally, with dynamic leadership from the Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

Main duties of the job

You will be part of a service that strives for clinical excellence and aims to support its staff to feel valued and actively participate in relevant service developments. We provide a range of psychological assessments and interventions for people with learning disabilities and their networks, with specialist expertise and interests across the service in systemic approaches, Autism, CBT, positive behavioural support approaches, trauma informed approaches and neuropsychology. We have strong links with both Surrey and Salomons training courses and have an active research agenda.

As an Assistant Psychologist in our team you will provide support to the psychologists in the service through a range of direct and indirect work. Direct clinical work will involve supporting with assessments, interventions and psychological consultations, under clinical supervision. You will also support the running of online therapeutic groups eg Tree of Life groups. You will be expected to offer support with writing up appointments, completing file reviews and inputting and updating data on our team spreadsheets and helping evaluate the service.

About us

We have a large and dynamic team of psychologists and behaviour practitioners located in Sussex within an innovative Learning Disabilities and Neurodevelopmental CDS. In West Sussex, psychology and behaviour support provision is delivered alongside an integrated MDT, predominantly within three integrated community learning disability teams, with an enhanced support service that sits across all three. The service works in close partnership with health and social care professionals, local providers and third sector organisations.

Sussex Partnership is a successful and well-respected Foundation Trust. It has a large, well-established psychological therapies department with close links with Sussex University and good links with carer and service user local organisations. We have a thriving learning disability and psychology speciality with around 25 clinical staff working across in three community learning disability teams across East and West Sussex and Brighton & Hove.

Details

Date posted

13 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year PA

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

354-LD-20298

Job locations

Bridge House

Barrington Road

Goring By Sea, Worthing

BN12 4SE

Job description

Job responsibilities

REQUIREMENTS

In order to be a successful assistant psychologist in our team you will have:

- Honours degree at 2:2 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS

- Relevant clinical and research skills

- Experience of working as part of a team

- Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology

It would also be advantageous if you have:

- Experience of working with people with disabilities, in a health or Mental Health setting and or work with people with complex needs

SPFT staff have the capacity to work from home remotely where applicable and in agreement with your line manager.

Part-time hours can be considered Minimum 22.5 hrs per week.

MAIN DUTIES

To undertake projects relating to service development and evaluation.

To set up databases, spreadsheets and using advanced IT skills in evaluation audit and research.

To support assessment and treatment interventions undertaken by the service as appropriate to level of competence and training.

To undertake direct and indirect clinical work as required under live or regular supervision from qualified applied HPCP registered Practitioner Psychologist.

To plan, organise and co-teach psycho-educational courses and groups with appropriately qualified professional staff.

To liaise with a range of services (including health, social care and voluntary agencies) relevant to the working area.

CLINICAL

To undertake assessments and interventions (for example neuropsychological tests, self report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews of clients, family members and others involved in the clients care), as appropriate to level of training, competence and under live or regular supervision from a qualified Practitioner Psychologist.

To support (directly and indirectly) the dementia assessment pathway and dementia screening service.

To assist in the development of psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.

To formulate and deliver care, training or research plans within settings where there may be a hostile atmosphere, challenging behaviour or high levels of expressed emotion.

To conduct literature searches, collate audit and outcome evidence, analyse relevant data and produce reports to inform and enhance care delivered by the service.

To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups, training or research projects

If required, to compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk and crisis plans.

To work with other team members to improve care, training and research practices and the quality of life of clients.

To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.

To support the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions for clients.

To carry out other clinical and administrative tasks as appropriate to the post holders grade.

To be up to date with both de-escalation, physical breakaway and PMVA techniques appropriate to the service environment.

ADMINISTRATION:

To develop and manage systems for efficient administration and co-ordination of care, training or research.

To establish and maintain records and statistics concerning the service.

To be acquainted with, implement and maintain all relevant Trust and Psychology and Psychological Therapies policies and procedures.

To report immediately any incidents affecting staff, users or visitors on health service property in accordance with Trust policies.

To maintain and manage systems for stock control of Psychology tests, test materials and other equipment.

To manage diaries, work plans and project plans as required

PROFSESSIONAL ISSUES:

To abide by the BPS code of Ethics and Conduct and the Division of Clinical Psychology Professional Practice Guidelines.

To maintain confidentiality in line with Trust policy

To participate in clinical and professional audit.

To participate in and contribute to Quality Assurance initiatives.

To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

RESEARCH AND SERVICE EVALUATION:

To design and implement agreed elements of audit and research projects.

To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.

To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research in order to promote evidence based clinical practice. This will contribute to the clinical work of Practitioner Psychologists and other team members.

GENERAL:

To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through the active participation in internal and external Continuing Professional Development training and development programmes, in consultation with the post holders manager.

To maintain the highest standards of record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.

To undertake administrative duties as required.

To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required, from time to time, by the Psychology Manager.

To participate fully in the Trusts performance review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.

See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

REQUIREMENTS

In order to be a successful assistant psychologist in our team you will have:

- Honours degree at 2:2 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS

- Relevant clinical and research skills

- Experience of working as part of a team

- Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology

It would also be advantageous if you have:

- Experience of working with people with disabilities, in a health or Mental Health setting and or work with people with complex needs

SPFT staff have the capacity to work from home remotely where applicable and in agreement with your line manager.

Part-time hours can be considered Minimum 22.5 hrs per week.

MAIN DUTIES

To undertake projects relating to service development and evaluation.

To set up databases, spreadsheets and using advanced IT skills in evaluation audit and research.

To support assessment and treatment interventions undertaken by the service as appropriate to level of competence and training.

To undertake direct and indirect clinical work as required under live or regular supervision from qualified applied HPCP registered Practitioner Psychologist.

To plan, organise and co-teach psycho-educational courses and groups with appropriately qualified professional staff.

To liaise with a range of services (including health, social care and voluntary agencies) relevant to the working area.

CLINICAL

To undertake assessments and interventions (for example neuropsychological tests, self report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews of clients, family members and others involved in the clients care), as appropriate to level of training, competence and under live or regular supervision from a qualified Practitioner Psychologist.

To support (directly and indirectly) the dementia assessment pathway and dementia screening service.

To assist in the development of psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.

To formulate and deliver care, training or research plans within settings where there may be a hostile atmosphere, challenging behaviour or high levels of expressed emotion.

To conduct literature searches, collate audit and outcome evidence, analyse relevant data and produce reports to inform and enhance care delivered by the service.

To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups, training or research projects

If required, to compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk and crisis plans.

To work with other team members to improve care, training and research practices and the quality of life of clients.

To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.

To support the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions for clients.

To carry out other clinical and administrative tasks as appropriate to the post holders grade.

To be up to date with both de-escalation, physical breakaway and PMVA techniques appropriate to the service environment.

ADMINISTRATION:

To develop and manage systems for efficient administration and co-ordination of care, training or research.

To establish and maintain records and statistics concerning the service.

To be acquainted with, implement and maintain all relevant Trust and Psychology and Psychological Therapies policies and procedures.

To report immediately any incidents affecting staff, users or visitors on health service property in accordance with Trust policies.

To maintain and manage systems for stock control of Psychology tests, test materials and other equipment.

To manage diaries, work plans and project plans as required

PROFSESSIONAL ISSUES:

To abide by the BPS code of Ethics and Conduct and the Division of Clinical Psychology Professional Practice Guidelines.

To maintain confidentiality in line with Trust policy

To participate in clinical and professional audit.

To participate in and contribute to Quality Assurance initiatives.

To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

RESEARCH AND SERVICE EVALUATION:

To design and implement agreed elements of audit and research projects.

To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.

To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research in order to promote evidence based clinical practice. This will contribute to the clinical work of Practitioner Psychologists and other team members.

GENERAL:

To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through the active participation in internal and external Continuing Professional Development training and development programmes, in consultation with the post holders manager.

To maintain the highest standards of record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.

To undertake administrative duties as required.

To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required, from time to time, by the Psychology Manager.

To participate fully in the Trusts performance review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.

See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Honours degree at 2:2 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

• Relevant clinical and research skills
• Experience of working as part of a team
• Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health context
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Honours degree at 2:2 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

• Relevant clinical and research skills
• Experience of working as part of a team
• Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health context
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bridge House

Barrington Road

Goring By Sea, Worthing

BN12 4SE

Employer's website

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bridge House

Barrington Road

Goring By Sea, Worthing

BN12 4SE

Employer's website

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)