Higher Assistant Psychologist in North East

Go back Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Higher Assistant Psychologist

The closing date is 06 October 2026

We are searching for a committed and enthusiastic psychology graduate, with some experience of working in secure mental health/prison settings, to join the Mental Health teams at HMP Frankland

This fixed term (12 months) post would suit an enthusiastic individual, valuing the opportunity to work collaboratively with members of a well-established multi-disciplinary team. A key part of this role will be using clinical skills to embed psychological understanding and psychosocial interventions in everyday practice.

The Higher Assistant Psychologist would have the opportunity to gain experience working with a diverse male population that includes mental health, learning disability, autism and older adults, including those who may have experienced trauma and/ or neurological difficulties.

This role is subject to Prison Vetting and the successful candidate must pass this before commencing employment. This includes a thorough review of personal information, including a criminal record check (both spent and unspent), a review of financial standing, and social media checks. Please note that vetting checks may also extend to family members and associates. You must also have resided in the UK for 3 years at the point of application. This will be considered as part of the shortlisting criteria and your application may be rejected if you do not meet this criteria.

Main duties of the job

Your Day-to-Day We are seeking an academically strong candidate to support and enhance the psychological care of patients at the service by assisting the Qualified Psychologists with;

• Contributing to assessments, scoring and reporting (verbal / written)
• Clinical formulation and implementing care plans for psychological treatment
• Planning, delivering and evaluating individual / group programmes
• Administration, audit, research and service development

Were looking for someone who is

• Degree qualified in Psychology (2:1 or above) or equivalent
• BPS (British Psychological Society) Accredited
• Preferably experienced in health care and/or in an Assistant Psychologist role
• Passionate about learning and working as part of an Multidisciplinary team.
• Qualified to Masters degree level or higher in Psychology (preferable)

About us

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Job responsibilities

The Health & Justice Service is committed to supporting clinicians personal development in a range of areas including assessment, governed therapies, supervision, research, and teaching / training. Continuing professional development is central to our ethos of providing evidence-based practice and improving staff wellbeing by investing in career progression.

Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academys Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information about this post.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Psychology
• Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
• Resident of the UK for at least 3 years
• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, youth work, work with offenders and/or research design and analysis

Skills

• Ability to relate therapeutically to the needs of clients and in a way that addresses psychological resistance
• Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service
• Utilise psychometric tests competently
• Statistical analysis
• Plan and organise effectively to meet required timescales
• Use approved breakaway techniques
• Ability to provide group interventions

Experience

• Experience working as an assistant psychologist (or equivalent).
• Previous involvement in clinical audit, research or service evaluation.
• Experience using statistical software packages e.g. SPSS
• Experience of using psychometric assessments.
• Experience working with people using services in psychological, mental health and/or social care settings. This may include, for example, personal experience or supporting a family member to access services.
• Experience of communicating sensitive information
• Experience of work interacting with the public
• Experience in discussing and responding to issues related to cultural diversity, intersectionality and inclusivity, including working with vulnerable groups (e.g. those for whom English is not their first language).
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of increasing access to psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities.

Knowledge

• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities
• An understanding of the application of psychology to health care
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Knowledge of the British Psychological Society Code of Conduct
• An ability to apply psychological knowledge to the population described in the job advert
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
• Awareness of systemic barriers to accessing psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities.

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.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust