Psychologist - Expert Court Assessment Service (ECAS)

Psychologist - Specialist Court & Family Services Children's Care & Support - Expert Court Assessment Service (ECAS) Be part of something new. Shape better futures for children. We are recruiting to an exciting opportunity within our new Expert Court Assessment Service (ECAS) - a specialist, innovative service designed to transform how we support children and families through pre-proceedings and care proceedings. This is a unique opportunity to join at the early stages of an ambitious, in-house assessment model, bringing psychological expertise directly into statutory social care and court processes. You will play a key role in strengthening decision-making, reducing delay and improving permanence outcomes for children. About the Role As a Psychologist within ECAS, you will operate as a senior specialist practitioner, providing expert psychological assessment and advice within care proceedings and pre-proceedings. You will:

• Undertake complex psychological assessments of children, parents and carers to inform court and permanence planning
• Provide expert analysis on parenting capacity, risk, trauma, attachment and capacity to change
• Produce high-quality, court-ready reports that are analytical, proportionate and defensible
• Offer specialist consultation to social workers, managers and legal colleagues
• Contribute to multidisciplinary discussions including legal planning meetings and court forums
• Support quality assurance and the development of robust, evidence-based assessment practice

This role is critical in ensuring that psychological insight is embedded within decision-making, strengthening court confidence and improving outcomes for children and families.

Special requirements for this post Doctoral-level professional qualification: Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology (BPS accredited), Professional registration: Registered with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and a comprehensive screening process will be undertaken on successful applicants including an Enhanced Children's Department of Barring Services check

About you

Why Join ECAS Now?

This role offers a genuine opportunity to be part of a brand-new service at the forefront of practice innovation. You'll:

• Help shape a new in-house psychological assessment model within Children's Services
• Influence practice, decision-making and outcomes across the system
• Work at the interface of social care, legal services and court processes
• Be part of a service focused on reducing delay and improving permanence for children
• Contribute to building high-quality, sustainable expertise within the local authority

You won't just be joining a team - you'll be helping to build it, influence it and lead improvement across the system.

We are seeking experienced and motivated psychologists who:

• Have substantial experience working with children, families and adults with complex needs
• Bring experience of psychological assessment and report writing in statutory or court contexts
• Have strong knowledge of trauma, attachment, safeguarding and child development
• Are confident working with high-complexity cases and influencing professional decision-making
• Can communicate complex psychological concepts clearly to non-clinical audiences.

Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here.

Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you'll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing - and changing for the better. And It Starts Here. Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it's on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes. We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We're even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity. Over the past few years, we've been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we're focused on what matters most to local people. We're creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger. #ItStartsHere - with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods. And with your application to join our determined team who are passionate about doing what's best for the future of Barking and Dagenham.

As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we're serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do.

Benefits

• A unique opportunity to join an innovative and growing service
• A role with real influence across practice, legal processes and outcomes for children
• Opportunities for professional development, supervision and progression
• A supportive, multidisciplinary environment focused on quality, learning and impact

Make a Difference Where It Matters Most

If you are passionate about using psychological expertise to improve decision-making and outcomes for children and families and want to be part of a forward-thinking and ambitious service, we would love to hear from you.

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