At a Glance
- Tasks: Support psychological assessments and treatment programmes for women in a secure environment.
- Company: Join the West London NHS Trust, a leading provider of mental health services.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, professional development, and work in a supportive team.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's mental health care while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Psychology-related degree and interest in working with women required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
Overview
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Psychologist to join the Women’s Service within the West London Forensic Service. West London NHS Trust provides a wide range of forensic mental health care across high/medium/low security and community settings. The Orchard Unit, the country’s largest NHS provider of women’s secure services, is a purpose built women-only medium/low secure unit, with an emphasis on relational security. You will work across the Orchard with a dedicated psychology service undertaking psychological assessments and supporting evidence based individual and group treatment programmes using frameworks including DBT and CBT. The work here is challenging and rewarding. This is a unique and exciting opportunity and we welcome applications from enthusiastic and flexible individuals with an interest / experience of working with women. In return we can offer a stimulating and supportive work environment with many opportunities for the development of your skills.
The Trust reserves the right to close this post at 50 applications and no other applications will be accepted after this time.
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse providers of mental health, community and social care in the UK. Our 3,982 staff care for people in hospital and in the community, helping them to recover and go on to lead full and productive lives. We aim to be the best organisation of our kind in the country. We provide care and treatment for more than 800,000 people living in the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow, delivering services in the community (at home, in GP surgeries and care homes), hospital, specialist clinics and forensic (secure) units. We’re rated Good overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), whilst West London Forensic Service has been rated Outstanding. Together, we’re committed to promoting hope and wellbeing, working with patients, service users, carers, families and partners across the communities we serve. We are keen to ensure that our workforce reflects the community it serves, particularly in terms of ethnicity, gender, disability, LGBTQ+ and experience of mental illness.
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached. The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Responsibilities
- Assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care for all users of the service.
- Support and enhance the professional psychological care of service users under the clinical supervision of a qualified psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the department’s policies and procedures.
- Assist in clinical work and related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.
- Clinical work will include assessment and psychological treatment both individually and co-facilitating groups and the development of care plans and formulations with service users.
- Other duties include service evaluation, development and implementation of audits.
- High standards of communication both verbally and in writing are essential to this role as it requires a high degree of multidisciplinary working.
- The role requires a degree of autonomy but also the ability to utilise and respond to regular supervision. All tasks will be carried out under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.
Qualifications and requirements
- Interest or experience of working with women.
- Ability to work within the Orchard Unit’s women-only environment and contribute to relational security.
- Eligible for a psychology-related degree and able to operate under clinical supervision in a forensic setting.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Closing date
This advert closes on Monday 15 Sep 2025.
Assistant Psychologist | West London NHS Trust in Southall employer: West London Mental Health Trust
West London NHS Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a stimulating and supportive work environment for Assistant Psychologists within the Women's Service. With a focus on professional development and a commitment to diversity, employees have the opportunity to enhance their skills while making a meaningful impact in the lives of women in secure services. The Trust's outstanding reputation and dedication to promoting hope and wellbeing make it an attractive place for those seeking rewarding careers in mental health.
Contact Detail:
West London Mental Health Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Psychologist | West London NHS Trust in Southall
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the field of psychology, especially those working in forensic settings. Attend events or webinars related to mental health and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have a lead on an opportunity at West London NHS Trust!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions specific to psychology roles. Think about your experiences working with women and how they relate to the role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for the role! When you get the chance to speak with interviewers, share your enthusiasm for working in a women-only environment and your commitment to relational security. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares about the service users.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the West London NHS Trust team. Keep an eye on the closing date and get your application in early!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Psychologist | West London NHS Trust in Southall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience and interest in working with women, as this is a key focus for the role. We want to see how your background aligns with the unique environment of the Orchard Unit.
Showcase Your Skills:Emphasise your strong communication skills and any relevant experience in psychological assessments or treatment programmes like DBT and CBT. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your qualifications and experiences, as high standards of written communication are essential for this role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly and can consider you for this exciting opportunity at West London NHS Trust.
How to prepare for a job interview at West London Mental Health Trust
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with psychological frameworks like DBT and CBT, as these are key in the role. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these methods in past experiences or how you would approach them in this position.
✨Show Your Passion for Working with Women
Highlight any relevant experience or interest in working with women, especially in a forensic setting. Share specific examples that demonstrate your understanding of the unique challenges faced by this demographic.
✨Prepare for Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Since the role involves working within a multidisciplinary team, think about how you can contribute to this dynamic. Prepare examples of past teamwork experiences and how you effectively communicated with different professionals.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the Orchard Unit and its approach to relational security. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if it's the right fit for you.
