Job summary
The Luton and Bedfordshire Liaison and Diversion Service (L&DS) are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a Band 5 Senior Assistant Psychologist to join our team on an 18 month fixed term contract. The post will be for 30 hours per week. Weekly supervision will be provided by a Clinical Psychologist.
The ideal candidate for the post will have experience of working in a mental health care setting as an Assistant Psychologist. Previous experience of working with forensic clients or hard to reach clients would be desirable. In terms of skills, we are particularly looking for applicants who are confident, resilient, reflective, willing to learn, and able to operate with a high level of autonomy. We are also looking for applicants who embrace and have experience of collaborative working with partner agencies, service users and carers, and who have a keen interest in working with police, probation and other public sector organisations.
Main duties of the job
The Assistant Psychologist role includes offering 1:1 psychological interventions to men and woman, as directed by the court and as a part of a Community Sentence or Suspended Sentence Order. The interventions offered are based on a range of psychological models such as CBT (including compassion focussed therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy) and DBT, with sessions undertaken in the community via Women's Centres, the Recovery College and the TOKKO Centre, across Luton and Bedfordshire (a driving licence and a car are essential). You will be required to work closely with our partners including Probation, BeNCH, and the Courts.
About us
The Assistant Psychologist role includes offering 1:1 psychological interventions to men and woman, as directed by the court and as a part of a Community Sentence or Suspended Sentence Order. The interventions offered are based on a range of psychological models such as CBT (including compassion focussed therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy) and DBT, with sessions undertaken in the community via Women's Centres, the Recovery College and the TOKKO Centre, across Luton and Bedfordshire (a driving licence and a car are essential). You will be required to work closely with our partners including Probation, BeNCH, and the Courts.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Assistant Psychologist role includes offering 1:1 psychological interventions to men and woman, as directed by the court and as a part of a Community Sentence or Suspended Sentence Order. The interventions offered are based on a range of psychological models such as CBT (including compassion focussed therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy) and DBT, with sessions undertaken in the community via Womens Centres, the Recovery College and the TOKKO Centre, across Luton and Bedfordshire (a driving licence and a car are essential). You will be required to work closely with our partners including Probation, BeNCH, and the Courts.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Assistant Psychologist role includes offering 1:1 psychological interventions to men and woman, as directed by the court and as a part of a Community Sentence or Suspended Sentence Order. The interventions offered are based on a range of psychological models such as CBT (including compassion focussed therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy) and DBT, with sessions undertaken in the community via Womens Centres, the Recovery College and the TOKKO Centre, across Luton and Bedfordshire (a driving licence and a car are essential). You will be required to work closely with our partners including Probation, BeNCH, and the Courts.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An approved qualification in psychology conferring eligibility for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society, with either a Bachelor's degree (Class 2.1 or higher) or a Bachelor's degree (any class) together with a higher Degree. OR A Bachelor's degree (Class 2.1 or higher) AND evidence of substantial psychological therapy or counselling training.
Desirable
- Attendance at specialist short courses relevant to the post
Experience
Essential
- At least 1 year experience as a band 4 Assistant Psychologist
- Experience of work in the NHS, working with client groups with severe mental health problems
Desirable
- Experience of working with challenging behaviour.
- Working with voluntary organisations.
- Work in a multi-cultural setting, including working with interpreters.
Knowledge
Essential
- Basic knowledge of mental health issues and approaches to treatment and intervention
- Basic understanding of health care systems and structures: staffing, roles and responsibilities, the role of hospitals, primary care and community care
- Aware of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health.
Desirable
- Up to date knowledge of psychological research and national guidance relevant to the client group.
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills with service users, carers and staff.
- Manage effectively exposure to distressing/highly emotional circumstances.
- Accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
- Implement appropriate psychological assessment and interventions relevant to the client group.
- Use IT packages and NHS clinical systems such as RIO.
- Record and report on clinical information as required.
Desirable
- Skills in the use of relevant specialist treatment or assessment procedures
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An approved qualification in psychology conferring eligibility for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society, with either a Bachelor's degree (Class 2.1 or higher) or a Bachelor's degree (any class) together with a higher Degree. OR A Bachelor's degree (Class 2.1 or higher) AND evidence of substantial psychological therapy or counselling training.
Desirable
- Attendance at specialist short courses relevant to the post
Experience
Essential
- At least 1 year experience as a band 4 Assistant Psychologist
- Experience of work in the NHS, working with client groups with severe mental health problems
Desirable
- Experience of working with challenging behaviour.
- Working with voluntary organisations.
- Work in a multi-cultural setting, including working with interpreters.
Knowledge
Essential
- Basic knowledge of mental health issues and approaches to treatment and intervention
- Basic understanding of health care systems and structures: staffing, roles and responsibilities, the role of hospitals, primary care and community care
- Aware of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health.
Desirable
- Up to date knowledge of psychological research and national guidance relevant to the client group.
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills with service users, carers and staff.
- Manage effectively exposure to distressing/highly emotional circumstances.
- Accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
- Implement appropriate psychological assessment and interventions relevant to the client group.
- Use IT packages and NHS clinical systems such as RIO.
- Record and report on clinical information as required.
Desirable
- Skills in the use of relevant specialist treatment or assessment procedures
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.
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
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).
