Assistant Psychologist

Job Summary We encourage applications from those identified as under-represented groups within the psychology profession, including people from ethnic minority backgrounds and those from low-income families. The ASPIRE scheme supports psychology graduates who face challenges accessing paid or unpaid assistant psychologist roles due to systemic barriers and contextual factors. We are looking for recent psychology graduates passionate about working in mental health services, curious to understand and support others, and open to learning. This year we are offering three part‑time, paid placements lasting 6 months, providing valuable clinical experience to help participants progress toward their career goals. Placement Settings Enfield Integrated Learning Disabilities Service (EILDS) St. Ann's Eating Disorder Service (SAEDS) Unplanned Care – inpatient wards and/or same day emergency services Main Duties The main duties are to support and enhance the professional psychological care of service users within the service. The primary focus is to work in conjunction with supervision within the team, using evidence‑based psychological interventions to support service users and their families. The work is completed under the close supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, with a progression plan toward independent practice. Additional tasks may include: Assisting with clinically related administration, audits, outcome measures, and statistics. Developing audit and/or research projects and project work. Supporting service users through assessment, care planning, therapeutic group facilitation, and multidisciplinary meetings. Person Specification Essential Eligibility Criteria Met criteria for barriers to entering the psychology profession through unpaid work experience. Intention to train as a clinical psychologist in the future. Not currently in a paid post or postgraduate trainee program. Not pursuing or holding a master’s degree (except conversion degree or MSci). No prior paid Assistant Psychologist or similar pre‑qualification psychological post, including research posts. Application Guidelines Statement confirming eligibility requirements. Interest in and understanding of the work of clinical psychology (max 100 words). Interest in improving equity of access to psychological services (max 100 words). Values or experiences demonstrating capability to work with a diverse population of service users and families (max 100 words). Other relevant personal qualities (max 50 words). Financial exclusion criteria (See examples in Application Guidelines) – only report applicable factors (max 75 words). Essential Qualifications Minimum 2:1 psychology BSc providing the Graduate Basis for Chartership of the BPS. Essential Experience Experience supporting people with mental and/or physical health problems through employment, volunteering, lived experience, research or education. Experience supporting diverse communities. Desirable Experience Paid or unpaid direct care provision. Essential Knowledge & Skills High‑level communication skills (written and verbal), including sensitivity and handling emotive settings. Understanding of social determinants of health inequalities. Understanding of needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems. Applying existing psychological knowledge and theories. IT skills – video calls, databases, data analysis. Desirable Knowledge & Skills Ability to offer psychological care in languages in addition to English. Disclosure and Barring Service Check Applicants must provide a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) as required by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from individuals requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications. Employer Details North London NHS Foundation Trust St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way, London, NW1 0PE Website: https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk/ #J-18808-Ljbffr