Assistant Psychologist - Adult Inpatient | East London NHS Foundation Trust

East London NHS Foundation Trust; Houghton Regis; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the United Kingdom is seeking an Assistant Psychologist to support Psychologists in adult inpatient psychiatric wards. The role involves assisting with assessments and facilitating psychological skills groups. Candidates must hold a relevant degree and have experience in mental health settings. The position requires excellent communication skills and the ability to travel between sites. This is a full-time fixed-term role for 12 months, requiring the start by March 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience of supporting and facilitating groups under supervision.
• Experience of working with people with serious mental health difficulties.
• Strong academic record required.

Responsibilities

• Support the work of qualified Psychologists on inpatient wards.
• Assist in assessments and positive behaviour support planning.
• Facilitate psychological skills groups under supervision.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Excellent IT literacy

Data collection and evaluation skills

Ability to work collaboratively

Education

First or upper second class (2:1) honours degree in Psychology

Job description

Role Overview

We are seeking an Assistant Psychologist to support the work of our Psychologists and our multi‑disciplinary teams on our adult inpatient psychiatric wards. The wards are based in the Luton area and are on several separate sites so ability to travel between wards is required. The post is over a fixed‑term contract of 12 months.

Key Responsibilities

The Assistant Psychologist will support the work of qualified Psychologists, carrying out or assisting in assessments, functional analysis and positive behaviour support planning, and facilitating psychological skills groups running on the wards under supervision.

They will also support the Quality Improvement projects running on the wards, assist in clinically related administration, collect statistics, and carry out audit and/or research projects. Further specific duties will be determined on the basis of skills and experience and operational service requirements and may vary occasionally as service needs or priorities change. The work is undertaken with the inpatient facilities in the Trust and occasionally across a range of community resources.

The post also involves working alone, in accordance with Trust’s policies and procedures. There is a risk of exposure to verbal and physical aggression. Training in Breakaway Techniques is required.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must have completed and been awarded a first or upper second class (2:1) honours degree in Psychology which confers eligibility for a graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society.

They should have experience of supporting and facilitating groups under the supervision of a psychologist and a strong academic record with excellent written and verbal communication skills, excellent IT literacy, and skills in data collection and evaluation.

Experience of working positively and sensitively with people with serious mental health difficulties and their support networks is required. The ability to work collaboratively with other professions is central to the post to provide holistic care within a biopsychosocial model and a culture of trauma‑informed care.

Recruitment Details

Please note that interviews will be in person on 6th January 2026 and the successful candidate should be able to start the full‑time post by March 2026. This advert closes on Friday 12 Dec 2025.

Please kindly refer to the job description and person specification attached to this vacancy for more information.