Assistant Clinical Psychologist (Band 4) in Bristol

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Join our new Neurodiversity Support Team and play a key role in helping schools across BNSSG better understand and support neurodivergent children and young people. We are looking for an Assistant Psychologist to join this developing team and help shape a new way of supporting neurodivergent children and young people! The Neurodiversity Support Team is a multidisciplinary clinical service working in partnership with education settings to deliver high-quality Neurodivergent Needs Analyses. The team provides expert guidance, consultation and quality assurance to ensure needs profiles are consistent, meaningful and impactful. As part of a system-wide programme, the service is introducing Neurodivergent Needs Analysis across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG). The team works closely with schools across the region, providing training, consultation and practical support to help them better understand and respond to the needs of neurodivergent children and young people. The service champions early intervention and a needs-led approach, focusing on each child or young person’s strengths and challenges rather than diagnostic labels. Due to current funding arrangements, this role may be appointed on a fixed‑term basis [1 year] or as a long‑term substantive post. The contract type will be confirmed prior to appointment.

Available hours: 18.75 hours per week, permanent; 37.5 hours per week, 1 year fixed term (part-time considered, minimum of 15hrs per week).

Main duties of the job:

• As the Assistant Psychologist, you will assist with information gathering, contributing to Needs Analysis activities, and helping schools understand and apply strengths and needs based strategies.
• You will play a key role in helping education settings to interpret presenting information and consider potential contributing factors, working under the guidance and supervision of qualified practitioners.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the provision of needs assessments for children and young people with neurodevelopmental differences.
• Training and supporting education and health professionals in leading these within their setting.
• To support qualified clinical psychologists (and other allied health professions) in the provision of psychologically informed advice/suggested strategies for education and health professionals, to meet CYP neurodivergent needs.
• To provide advice around supporting emotional regulation, mental health and other areas relating to neurodivergent needs, under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.

Working for our organisation:

Ever dreamt about a career that sparks excitement and fosters your professional growth? Picture yourself waking up eager to make a real difference in our community, surrounded by teams who value your unique ideas. We are Sirona care & health – England’s largest provider of Adult’s and Children’s Community Services and we’d love for you to join us in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire. Agenda for Change Salary, full NHS benefits, 27+ days’ annual leave, and participation in the NHS Pension Scheme – just a glimpse of the benefits you’ll receive.

We welcome and encourage all applicants. We are committed to having a workforce that reflects the communities we support and are proactively seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce. We know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We aim to draw upon the widest possible range of views and experiences to meet the changing needs of our colleagues, partners and communities we serve.

Whether you’re starting your journey in healthcare, looking for a fresh challenge within the NHS, or contemplating a career change, don’t be daunted by the prospect of something different – we create development opportunities for all our colleagues and apprentices.

Interested? View our benefits leaflet which you can find attached to this vacancy.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

Please see the attached Job Description for a full list of duties and responsibilities before applying for this position. If you refer to qualifications or employment history in your supporting statement that is not reflected in your application form, this information may be discounted. We are unable to offer sponsorship for this position; if you require a visa to work in the UK you must have a minimum of 14 months remaining on your visa. If you do not declare your visa end date in your application it may be discounted.

Person specification:

Qualifications and Training Required:

• Honours degree at 2:2 or above in Psychology, or equivalent.
• Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS.

Skills, Experience and Knowledge Required:

• Good theoretical knowledge of psychological theories and concepts and their relevance to people with mental health problems, neurodivergent needs and/or physical health problems/disabilities.
• An ability to interact with people with mental health, neurodevelopmental and/or related problems.
• To be able to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times.
• To be able to provide and receive complex sensitive or contentious information in a highly emotive atmosphere.
• An understanding of the importance of meeting neurodivergent needs, regardless of any potential for diagnosis.
• A willingness and ability to travel to settings across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

To ensure a fair and anonymous shortlisting process, we are unable to consider any information about your experience or motivation submitted by email. Please include all relevant details within your application form. Please note that the available working hours are within the above job description. This is primarily an in‑person community role. Occasional home working may be possible depending on service needs, but not on fixed days.