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Clinical Associate in Psychology Apprentice
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust View all jobs
Posted 20 day(s) ago
Reference: 364-B-419
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an apprenticeship post as a Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) in one of our Neurodivergence Services. Clinical Associates in Psychology fill an identified skills gap between assistant psychologists and qualified clinical psychologists. They are able to practice semi-autonomously with appropriate support, working within their scope of practice, under the supervision of a registered psychologist.
Applications are invited for a Band 5 Clinical Associate in Psychology apprenticeship post.The expected start for the apprenticeship is November 2026. If there is a gap between starting in post and beginning the CAP training course, then successful candidates would initially start in a Band 5 Assistant Psychology role and will move onto the CAP apprentice role and job description at the start of the apprenticeship programme.The CAP Apprenticeship is an eighteen-month full-time training divided between work-based experience (up to 4 days per week) and academic teaching and study, which leads to a Masters level qualification.
Due to an anticipated high number of applicants, please be advised that this vacancy will close early.
Main duties of the job
CAPs are trained to work with a particular service user group and in this case with adults with suspected/ confirmed neurodivergence therefore providing a more proscribed range of assessments and interventions than Clinical Psychologists. We are seeking to recruit a trainee CAP to be based in the North Essex Autism service (Holmer Court, Colchester base as well as some remote working). Our Autism and ADHD services will though be combining across the Trust to form an Essex wide Neurodivergence Service so it is an exciting time to be joining the teams.
Those appointed will work alongside qualified Psychologists, and together with MDT colleagues including nursing staff, Occupational Therapists, Consultant Psychiatrists, other CAPs and Assistant Psychologists. The role will include screening referrals for diagnostic assessments for autism and/or ADHD, carrying out initial assessments of autism and/ or ADHD as well as developing skills and learning to support with formal diagnostic assessments and facilitating interventions including primarily groups and some individual work. If successful in their training, on qualification, CAPs can apply for a Band 6 CAP role.
About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.
- Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
- Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
- If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
Benefits
- 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
- Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
- Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
- Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
Work that wraps around your needs
- Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
Details
Date posted
14 September 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
18 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
364-B-419
Job locations
Holmer Court
Colchester
CO3 3BT
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
To learn more about working within our Services at EPUT, please view our recruitment videos, where members of the team share their experiences and insights into their roles and what it is like working within our Psychological Services, here at EPUT.
Please view our video link here: Psychological Services
We are particularly keen to hear from applicants with a Psychology degree who have a commitment to working in the local region, from those with diverse backgrounds and from people who bring lived experience relevant to this field of work. The Clinical Associate in Psychology role is a new psychology career path in its own right, therefore the selection process will aim to recruit those suitable for and committed to training for this role.
To learn more about working within our Services at EPUT, please view our recruitment videos, where members of the team share their experiences and insights into their roles and what it is like working within our Psychological Services, here at EPUT.
Please view our video link here: Psychological Services
Please contact Dr Anna Orchard, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, [email protected] you wish to discuss the posts.
For a detailed list of responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
We understand that people might use digital AI solutions to support with aspects such as spelling and grammar checking but we are interested in hearing about and understanding the real you so the content of the application should be your own work that you will be able to discuss in interview. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To learn more about working within our Services at EPUT, please view our recruitment videos, where members of the team share their experiences and insights into their roles and what it is like working within our Psychological Services, here at EPUT.
Please view our video link here: Psychological Services
We are particularly keen to hear from applicants with a Psychology degree who have a commitment to working in the local region, from those with diverse backgrounds and from people who bring lived experience relevant to this field of work. The Clinical Associate in Psychology role is a new psychology career path in its own right, therefore the selection process will aim to recruit those suitable for and committed to training for this role.
To learn more about working within our Services at EPUT, please view our recruitment videos, where members of the team share their experiences and insights into their roles and what it is like working within our Psychological Services, here at EPUT.
Please view our video link here: Psychological Services
Please contact Dr Anna Orchard, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, [email protected] you wish to discuss the posts.
For a detailed list of responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
We understand that people might use digital AI solutions to support with aspects such as spelling and grammar checking but we are interested in hearing about and understanding the real you so the content of the application should be your own work that you will be able to discuss in interview. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- An honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology at 2.1 or better OR Successful completion of a BPS accredited post-graduate Psychology conversion programme with 2.1 equivalent or above. OR A 2.2 honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology with appropriate additional experience (or contextual information) demonstrating academic potential.
- Eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further continuing professional development courses relevant to work in mental health and/or psychological interventions.
Experience
Essential
- Paid or voluntary experience relevant to working in health, mental health, neurodivergence and/or psychological service settings, including work in community groups.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a setting with service users presenting with severe and enduring mental health difficulties in the context of a learning disability/intellectual disability.
- Experience of working with individuals who are neurodivergent.
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team. Experience of working with carers. Experience of working with groups and/or delivering group interventions
- Experience of audit and/or service evaluation
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- An honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology at 2.1 or better OR Successful completion of a BPS accredited post-graduate Psychology conversion programme with 2.1 equivalent or above. OR A 2.2 honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology with appropriate additional experience (or contextual information) demonstrating academic potential.
- Eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further continuing professional development courses relevant to work in mental health and/or psychological interventions.
Experience
Essential
- Paid or voluntary experience relevant to working in health, mental health, neurodivergence and/or psychological service settings, including work in community groups.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a setting with service users presenting with severe and enduring mental health difficulties in the context of a learning disability/intellectual disability.
- Experience of working with individuals who are neurodivergent.
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team. Experience of working with carers. Experience of working with groups and/or delivering group interventions
- Experience of audit and/or service evaluation
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
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Holmer Court
Colchester
CO3 3BT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
Employer details
Employer name
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Holmer Court
Colchester
CO3 3BT
United Kingdom