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Assistant Psychologist
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust View all jobs
Posted 25 day(s) ago
Reference: 301-VS-26-8270183
Job summary
Are you an enthusiastic and dedicated professional with significant experience in implementing high-quality, person-centred interventions to improve the quality of life for adults with a learning disability? An exciting opportunity has arisen as within the Community Learning Disability Intensive Support Team (IST) Stafford.
The IST forms part of the wider South Staffordshire offer, supporting individuals with a Learning Disability and Autism who are experiencing difficulties which may otherwise lead to placement breakdown or hospital admission. The team is reliant upon effective working relationships between services within and outside of MPFT. This is a challenging but rewarding role and we encourage applications from experienced professionals who practice in supporting adults with a learning disability.
Main duties of the job
The Intensive Support Team aims to provide a high quality, community based, integrated service for adults with learning disabilities. We are seeking a highly motivated and dedicated Assistant Psychologist to join our Stafford based Intensive Support Team.
The role requires an enthusiastic and dynamic professional who can demonstrate excellent inter-personal communication skills and a determined commitment to person-centred, multi-disciplinary working to achieve quality of life outcomes. This post offers the opportunity to work in a highly focused, intensive, and supportive way with people with learning disabilities who may present with complex challenging behaviours and/or mental health needs.
The purpose of the role is to: support and enhance the professional psychological care of Service Users with a Learning disability within the service, to provide psychological assessment and interventions under the direct supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with the clinical psychologist and within the overall framework of the IST's policies and procedures, to assist in clinically related administration, supporting the development of positive behaviour support plans and supporting the delivery of workshops to care providers.
About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Details
Date posted
08 September 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 4
Salary
£28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
301-VS-26-8270183
Job locations
Flanaghan Centre
Stafford
ST16 3AG
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will work in a co-ordinated and planned way, including outside of normal hours if required. The successful applicant will have access to a wide range of training opportunities including Positive Behaviour Support.
The post requires interface with a number of teams and services to promote shared formulation. This includes assessment and management of risks which place the individual and others at risk of serious harm; or for whom the nature or degree of risk might otherwise lead to exclusion, placement breakdown, and admission to inpatient services.
As the post involves travelling across South Staffordshire, the ability to be responsive and travel to home visits at short notice is essential.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will work in a co-ordinated and planned way, including outside of normal hours if required. The successful applicant will have access to a wide range of training opportunities including Positive Behaviour Support.
The post requires interface with a number of teams and services to promote shared formulation. This includes assessment and management of risks which place the individual and others at risk of serious harm; or for whom the nature or degree of risk might otherwise lead to exclusion, placement breakdown, and admission to inpatient services.
As the post involves travelling across South Staffordshire, the ability to be responsive and travel to home visits at short notice is essential.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- A First or Upper Second class honours degree in psychology or a lower Second class degree with a post-graduate qualification, e.g. Master's degree.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
Desirable
- Undergraduate degree included study of Psychopathology/Clinical issues.
- Postgraduate degree in a relevant area of study
Experience
Essential
- Has significant experience of face-to-face work with people with psychological difficulties..
- Experience supporting people (either in a paid, voluntary or lived experience capacity) with a learning disability in hospital/residential or community settings.
- Has experience of working alongside staff from other disciplines.
- Has worked closely with clinical psychologists and has an awareness of professional standards/issues
Desirable
- Experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist.
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Experience of research methods, audit or other service evaluation techniques.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a learning disability service context.
- An understanding of psychology applied to health care
Desirable
- Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis (e.g. Excel, SPSS for Windows).
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to the experiences of people who have a learning disability.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- A First or Upper Second class honours degree in psychology or a lower Second class degree with a post-graduate qualification, e.g. Master's degree.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
Desirable
- Undergraduate degree included study of Psychopathology/Clinical issues.
- Postgraduate degree in a relevant area of study
Experience
Essential
- Has significant experience of face-to-face work with people with psychological difficulties..
- Experience supporting people (either in a paid, voluntary or lived experience capacity) with a learning disability in hospital/residential or community settings.
- Has experience of working alongside staff from other disciplines.
- Has worked closely with clinical psychologists and has an awareness of professional standards/issues
Desirable
- Experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist.
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Experience of research methods, audit or other service evaluation techniques.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a learning disability service context.
- An understanding of psychology applied to health care
Desirable
- Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis (e.g. Excel, SPSS for Windows).
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to the experiences of people who have a learning disability.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Flanaghan Centre
Stafford
ST16 3AG
United Kingdom
Employer's website
Employer details
Employer name
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Flanaghan Centre
Stafford
ST16 3AG
United Kingdom