Assistant Psychologist

Hours: 37 hours per week.

**Salary**: £23,823 - £29,578 (SCP 18-27)

**JOB DESCRIPTION**:
The Assistant Psychologist’s primary focus is to ensure the psychological needs of the young people are met and to contribute to the development and implementation of risk assessments and risk management strategies. This role supports and enhances the professional psychological care of young people within Rossie by conducting psychological assessments and interventions, both individually and in groups, under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist. The Assistant Psychologist will work independently following a plan agreed upon by the Clinical Psychologist and adhere to the Specialist Intervention Health and Wellbeing (SIHW) Team’s policies and procedures. The role includes assisting in clinically related administration, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work. All tasks are carried out under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.

The Assistant Psychologist's role is grounded in the key principles of risk, need, and responsivity, aiming to help young people build safer and more fulfilling lives. Interventions are tailored to the unique needs of each young person, ensuring that they are appropriate for their developmental stage and learning preferences. All interventions are rigorously monitored and evaluated to ensure efficacy and positive outcomes for young people. The role demands a flexible approach, with the ability to adapt strategies to suit the evolving needs of young people within the secure care environment

**Clinical or Work Practice**:

- Undertake psychological assessments of young people, including self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews.
- Monitor and review service performance and intervene to make improvements.
- Assist in the formulation and delivery of interventions and care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of young people’s presenting difficulties.
- Assist in the running of therapeutic groups.
- Work with other staff to assess young people and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.
- Liaise with external stakeholders to ensure the needs and rights of the young person are being upheld.
- Attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.
- Assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding for the benefit of all young people.
- Operate and deliver all work within the policies, procedures and practices at Rossie.
- Communicate clearly and empathetically to young people, families, carers, and professionals.
- Provide written reports and assessments for young people, their families, and other professional agencies.

**Teaching, Training & Supervision**:

- Receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
- Develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
- Contribute to the training and support of other multidisciplinary staff.
- Participate in appropriate training courses in accordance with mandatory training requirements and Personal Development Plans.

**Research and Service Evaluation**:

- Assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
- Undertake data collection, analysis, and the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
- Assist in the design and implementation of service development projects.
- Undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research.

**General Duties**
- Organise workload under the direct support and supervision of a qualified psychologist and line manager.
- Maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with the professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society policies and procedures.
- Ensure young people’s physical and emotional needs are met through a positive and supportive environment.
- Prepare reports and summaries that are accessible to young people, professionals and family members.
- Prepare test materials and visual aids as required.
- Ensure that in all aspects of professional activity, issues of diversity are sensitively considered.
- Ensure young people are appropriately consulted about their care, and empowered to express their views to develop/improve services.
- Carry out, any additional tasks and responsibilities as are reasonably compatible with this job description and its objectives.
- Please note this job description is to provide a clear and concise statement of the main tasks and activities of the post, and it is not intended as an exhaustive list of every aspect of the post holder's duties. All the above duties will be carried out in line with Rossie policies and procedures._

**PERSON SPECIFICATION**:
**Knowledge Base (Essential)**:

- Child care legislation
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of vu