Assistant Psychologist

Hpft; Radlett; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Assistant Psychologist to support the CYPMHS Crisis, Assessment and Treatment Team across Hertfordshire. You will contribute to assessments, safety planning and data collection under supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.

The role requires a psychology degree with postgraduate training in mental health and experience with children/young people; training in CYP-IAPT principles and evidence-based interventions is desirable.

Qualifications

• An undergraduate psychology degree (2:1 or higher) is required.
• Masters level training in psychology or mental health is required.
• Post-graduate training in mental-health/psychology is expected.

Responsibilities

• Assist care planning and delivery for children and young people in mental health crisis under supervision.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary CYPMHS C-CATT team to support service delivery.
• Ensure documentation, reports and data collection meet governance and national guidelines.

Skills

Psychology degree

DBT/CBT knowledge

CYP-IAPT awareness

Education

Upper second class honours degree in psychology

Masters level training in psychology/mental health

Post-graduate training in mental-health/psychology

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Site 15 Forest Lane, Kingsley Green, Radlett, WD7 9HQ Town Radlett Salary £29,812 - £32,715 per annum, pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAS) Salary period Yearly Closing 04/10/2026 23:59

Values Based Screener

At Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust we are looking for people to join us who share our values and those of the NHS. Before your application can be considered please take part on our online values questionnaire, which you can find below. When you have finished you will be sent a 'completion code' by email, which will be valid for 6 months and required to submit your application form.

An exciting opportunity is available for an Assistant Psychologist to join the HPFT Children and Young People's Mental Heath Services ( CYPMHS) Crisis, Assessment and Treatment Team (C-CATT) , offering support Countywide across Hertfordshire.

The core functions of C-CATT are to undertake bio-psychosocial assessments, safety and care planning, referral/request for risk support from other mental health teams/services.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for maintaining the service database, entering data, generating reports on service targets, and conducting audits and evaluations in accordance with national guidelines for monitoring service delivery and clinical progress, all under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist.

The role requires skills in jointly assessing, planning, organising, reviewing and assisting in delivering evidence-based interventions to provide crisis support, as agreed with supervising clinician(s).

Regular clinical supervision will be provided. Applicants should have a recognised undergraduate degree in Psychology and be eligible for Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society. Experience delivering group-based interventions or working with adolescents with complex mental health needs is desirable.

Working for our organisation

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT ) is a leading organisation with ambitious goals. As one of only five mental health trusts to receive an overall 'Outstanding' rating from the Care Quality Commission, we strive to be the top provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.

Our team of over 4,000 staff delivers health and social care to more than 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health, and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, both in the community and in inpatient settings. We also offer nationally commissioned specialist services, including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, and medium and low secure learning disabilities services.

The care we provide has a positive impact on our service users, their families, and carers. Our work is guided by choice, independence, and equality, with our Trust values at the heart of everything we do:

Our Trust values are: Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

These values shape who we are and how we work.

If you are interested in joining the HPFT family, working with us to help our service users live their best lives, and being supported in your own career development, we invite you to consider a role with us.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To assist care planning and delivery for those children & young people who are experiencing a mental health crisis and are under the care of the CYPMHS Crisis, Assessment and Treatment Team (C-CATT). In particular, this would include ensuring CYP-IAPT principles and practice are implemented (80% of job plan) and the delivery of psychological interventions and other clinical tasks under the supervision of a qualified practitioner (20% of job plan).
• The post holder will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary C-CAT Team, assisting in the provision of a high-quality service to children and young people (CYP) experiencing mental health difficulties and supporting their caregivers.
• This work will be in accordance with clinical governance processes and professional standards.
• The post holder may be asked to support across Enhanced Specialist Pathway, which C-CATT sits within, alongside other Specialist Teams.
• The post holder will utilise their skills and knowledge to assist in ensuring CYP-IAPT processes are in place including outcomes measure use, jointly undertaking assessments (where appropriate), identifying desired outcomes and where appropriate carrying out intervention.

Training/qualifications

• Upper second class honours degree in psychology, or other higher degree in psychology, or equivalent undergraduate qualification.
• Masters level training in relevant Psychological or Mental Health area.
• Post-graduate training in relevant mental-health / psychological / recovery discipline.

Experience

• Experience of working with children/young people
• Experience in psychological interventions – DBT, CBT or interpersonal therapy interventions or other evidence based approaches.
• Knowledge of legislation related to children and/or adolescents mental health and social care e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Care Programme Approach, Child Protection and Safeguarding of Vulnerable Children etc.
• At least two years’ experience of work with children and/or adolescents with moderate to severe mental health problems
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge and understanding of CYP-IAPT
• Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently
• Ability to manage distressing and challenging situations.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Knowledge and Skill

• High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to children and/or adolescents, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
• Excellent report writing skills and excellent documentation of duties performed.
• Competence using IT and media equipment
• Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis.
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of children and/or adolescents with learning disability, or other disabilities.

Other

• Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)

Please note, we do not charge fees for job applications, recruitment processes, sponsorship arrangements, or employment offers. Please see the Trust careers vacancy webpage and Trac as the only authorised routes for recruitment communications, applications and verification of job offers.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if we receive a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application promptly.