Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist - Adult LD Services North (FTC)

The closing date is 11 March 2026

Job summary

Please note, if a high volume of applications is received, this advert may close early so please ensure you submit your application without delay.

We have an exciting opportunity for two Assistant Psychologists to work with the North Psychology Teams for adults with a learning disability.

We are pleased to be able to offer two posts on a fixed term basis until 30 September 2026; one to work in the Forensic Support Team and one to work in the Community Support Team.

You would be joining friendly and well-established teams of Psychologists who provide psychological interventions as part of multi-disciplinary community teams.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic Assistant Psychologist who is motivated to support people with learning disabilities to live their best life.

The Psychology Team are passionate about their work and have developed new initiatives to be responsive in meeting the needs of those using the service; this post will continue to support their implementation and evaluation, providing opportunities to contribute to ongoing service development.

The LD Psychology Team is part of a strong and progressive group of Psychologists and Psychological Therapists (P&PT), whilst being embedded in the multi-disciplinary teams of the Learning Disability Service. The post will therefore offer opportunities for multi-disciplinary practice, and progression of experience and skill as an Assistant Psychologist.

Main duties of the job

To support and enhance the psychological care of clients receiving a service from Psychologists working within Adult Learning Disability Services, within Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation NHS Trust.

To work across all sectors of care, providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a qualified psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed by a qualified clinical psychologist and within the overall framework of the service's policies and procedures. To assist in the clinically related administration, audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.

It is Trust policy that for posts that are for a time limited period, applicants who are currently employed by an NHS organisation will only be appointed on a secondment basis and should have approval from their line manager this is possible before applying. Applicants who are not employed by an NHS organisation, will receive a fixed term contract.

About us

The successful candidate will be welcomed into a vibrant and creative team of skilled Psychologists who have extensive experience, knowledge and skill, and are passionate about supporting people with a learning disability.

There are excellent opportunities for high quality supervision, and within our team we have Psychologists with further training and experience in a range of therapeutic models.

Our Psychology and Psychological Therapies Service has a strong focus on staff wellbeing, is keen to support and develop research activities, and is leading the Trust's development of trauma-informed approaches. There are excellent opportunities for peer support, to join a range of specialist supervision groups and to participate in regular in-house and external CPD. We also have strong links with local Psychology Training Courses and provide regular placements and teaching.

Details

Date posted

25 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pa, pro-rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

383-SPE-7113-26

Job locations

Ash Green

Ashgate Rd, Ashgate,

Chesterfield

S42 7JE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to attached job description and person specification.

Please review the Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to attached job description and person specification.

Please review the Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

Person Specification

Attainment/ Qualifications

Essential

  • Good honours degree in Psychology (2i or above)
  • Eligibility for Graduate Membership of the BPS

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience working as an Assistant Psychologist in a related clinical setting
  • Previous experience of working with adults with learning disabilities and complex additional needs

Desirable

  • Experience of specialist assessments for intellectual disabilities and/or autism for psychological needs
  • Experience of working in a range of clinical settings with different client groups

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health and learning disabilities or those requiring the intervention of Psychological Services
  • Good written communication skills, with the ability to tailor these to varying contexts

Desirable

  • Experience of using standard psychometric tests

Personal

Essential

  • Positive and respectful attitude towards people with learning disabilities and mental health problems

Other

Essential

  • Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post
Person Specification

Attainment/ Qualifications

Essential

  • Good honours degree in Psychology (2i or above)
  • Eligibility for Graduate Membership of the BPS

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience working as an Assistant Psychologist in a related clinical setting
  • Previous experience of working with adults with learning disabilities and complex additional needs

Desirable

  • Experience of specialist assessments for intellectual disabilities and/or autism for psychological needs
  • Experience of working in a range of clinical settings with different client groups

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health and learning disabilities or those requiring the intervention of Psychological Services
  • Good written communication skills, with the ability to tailor these to varying contexts

Desirable

  • Experience of using standard psychometric tests

Personal

Essential

  • Positive and respectful attitude towards people with learning disabilities and mental health problems

Other

Essential

  • Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post

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

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ash Green

Ashgate Rd, Ashgate,

Chesterfield

S42 7JE


Employer's website

http://www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ash Green

Ashgate Rd, Ashgate,

Chesterfield

S42 7JE


Employer's website

http://www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr Louise Haggar (Community Support Team)

louise.haggar1@nhs.net

01332268468

Details

Date posted

25 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pa, pro-rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

383-SPE-7113-26

Job locations

Ash Green

Ashgate Rd, Ashgate,

Chesterfield

S42 7JE


Supporting documents

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