Assistant Psychologist. Higher Level

Livewell Southwest; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Livewell Southwest is seeking a Higher Level Assistant Psychologist to work within the Plymouth Autism Spectrum Service (PASS). The role focuses on autism assessments for adults without learning disabilities, including standardized and non-standardized assessments and MDT discussions.

You will work in a multidisciplinary team and help with formulation, clinical planning, and signposting. A strong grounding in DSM-5 and psycho-educational activities will be beneficial.

Qualifications

• Experience of autism assessment methodology and community-focused work.
• Evidence of continued professional development in psychology and autism.
• Familiarity with DSM-5 criteria and autism assessment pathways.

Responsibilities

• Support qualified psychologists within the MDT on autism assessments.
• Undertake brief advice, signposting, or consultation appointments.
• Contribute to evidence-based assessments and write reports/formulations.

Skills

ADOS assessment and scoring

Neuro-developmental History interviews

Clinical formulations

DSM-5 knowledge

Education

Degree in Psychology (2:1)

Eligible for BPS graduate membership

CPD / continuous professional development

Job description

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a developing team of passionate and committed practitioners within Plymouth Autism Spectrum Service (PASS), as a Higher Level Assistant Psychologist.

PASS consists of a diagnostic service for Adults (PASSAT) and a post diagnostic advice and signposting service (PASS). This post sits predominantly within the diagnostic branch. However, we work together closely, sharing opportunities and skills to learn from each other and best meet the needs of the people we meet.

This post will provide experience of the Autism assessment pathway for adults without a learning disability, within a multi-disciplinary team. You will have the opportunity to deliver or be part of standardised and non-standardised assessments such as developmental histories, support calls, clinical interviews and ADOS, as well as formulation and MDT discussions and onwards referrals.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.

Interviews will be held in person on Friday 20th November 2026

Main duties of the job

You will be working directly with individuals who are accessing the service for an Autism assessment.

You will provide telephone and email contact with individuals to identify barriers to assessment and reasonable adjustments to support their participation.

You will assist the Autism Practitioners and Psychologists in gathering assessment information, including detailed observations.

You will undertake needs based assessments that will support the development of formulation and contribute to broader clinical planning.

You will complete clinical admin to support the assessment process.

You will apply Psychological theory and the DSM V to inform formulations, differential diagnosis and MDT discussions.

You will facilitate psycho-educational workshops, with your colleagues or participation partners.

You may undertake audit and evaluation, providing data that helps the team identifying key areas for service improvement.

You may complete file reviews, applying psychological theory and the DSM V, to help inform diagnostic decisions.

This is an assessment focused service. We do not provide interventions.

All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To support the qualified psychologists and wider MDT working within the Plymouth Autism SpectrumService (PASS) through undertaking psychologically informed Autism assessment work and related activities with people with varying and complex presentations.

To undertake brief advice, signposting or consultation appointments, individually or in groups, and with families and professionals.

To proactively work with the MDT and service users to support the development of psychologically informed formulations utilising the DSMV diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Condition and communicate how this informs future support and onward referrals.

To support research projects, service evaluations and clinical audits as required.

SCOPE AND RANGE

PASS is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Speech and Language Therapy, OccupationalTherapy, Psychology, Nursing and Social Work.

The assessment team (PASSAT) and post diagnostic advice and signposting (PASS). This post relates predominantly to PASSAT who provide MDT assessments for over 18s who may be Autistic, using the DSM V diagnostic criteria via received referrals come from GPs and other health professionals.

The team work with complex presentations that require skills in risk assessment and working with individuals and other teams to identify and remove barriers to accessing assessment and appropriate onward support.

The post holder will provide clinically supervised elements within the Autism assessment pathway as part of the MDT. This may include direct assessment with individuals, gathering collateral information from family, as well as risk assessments, file reviews, SBARs or other clinically indicated work to support effective and timely assessment. They will also contribute to written reports and formulation and clinical record keeping.

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

To work sensitively and respectfully with clients who are possibly Autistic and may have cooccurring conditions relating to mental or physical health, other neurodevelopmental conditions or challenging life experiences. To engage with them, identifying barriers and support, in order to deliver the assessment work.

Manage workload and clinical demands with support and clinical supervision from a designated practitioner psychologist.

Carry out and contribute to standardised and non-standardised, evidence-based biopsychosocial assessments as part of the Autism assessment pathway. Including some aspects of assessment under indirect supervision.

Develop psychologically informed formulations collaboratively with service users and MDT.

Complete collaborative, formulation based risk assessments and respond to risk information in line with organisational guidelines.

Establish service user strengths, needs and goals and appropriately signpost and refer to onward services as part of Autism assessments and post diagnostic 1:1 or group sessions.

To work within organisational guidelines to provide input into assessment and formulation of complex problems including: evidence of Autism, the long-term effects of childhood trauma, and other complex bio-psychosocial presentations.

Delivers group sessions, workshops and training to service users and colleagues, and provides advice within competence

To utilise appropriate theory and DSM V diagnostic criteria and apply it to clinical situations in order to integrate assessment data and begin to develop formulations and diagnostic decisions

To be able to communicate, by talking and writing, psychological formulations and plans to the client, family members, carers and professional colleagues as appropriate. Including within MDT meetings

To maintain appropriate client records as required by the employer.

To maintain clinical resources and databases as required by the team.

Proactively and positively contribute to the achievement of effective outcomes. This will include conducting evaluations using clinical outcome measures and satisfaction surveys.

Communicate effectively with service users, relatives/carers and colleagues from diverse backgrounds in a manner that is sensitive, open, welcoming and person-centred.

Maintain accurate, up to date clinical records in accordance with Trust policy.

To maintain appropriate client records as required by the employer.

To maintain clinical resources and databases as required by the team.

Works within defined departmental and organisational policies and professional guidelines.

Plans and prioritises own workload independently, adjusting priorities in response to service demands.

Exercises judgement when gathering and analysing clinical and psychological information.

Works autonomously within agreed service protocols, seeking advice from a Practitioner Psychologist when situations fall outside established parameters.

Makes decisions regarding the collection and presentation of assessment information.

Human Resources

To receive regular clinical supervision and line management from an appropriately qualified clinician.

Required to demonstrate own duties to new staff.

Support teaching input on a variety of training courses and workshops to PASS and other Livewell staff.

Research and Development

Participates in service evaluation, audit, research and quality improvement initiatives.

Collects, analyses and presents data to support service developments.

To conduct statistical analyses using SPSS and Excel and prepare data tables, graphs, etc as needed.

To assist with the dissemination of the results to service users, carers, service managers, other professionals and academic audiences.

Contributes to the development of patient information resources and service materials.

Information Technology

To maintain clinical records within the computerised patient information system (System one clinical records).

Uses electronic patient record systems and contributes to service audits and data reporting.

To be competent at word processing and the use of Office software, particularly e-mail.

Responsible for the accurate collection, recording and storage of sensitive patient information.

Uses electronic patient record systems and contributes to service audits and data reporting.

To conduct literature searches on electronic data-bases.

To be able to use Excel & SPSS to aid in the management of data used for research purposes.

To undertake Continuing Professional Development in line with that recommended by the Health & Care Professions Council and the BPS.

To keep up to date with clinical and research developments within the post-holders areas of expertise.

The post-holder will be expected to adhere to the HCPC code of conduct and the BPS Code of Practice.

COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will:

Communicate with people, their families, carers and friends, in the process of autism assessments and group work where atmosphere may be highly emotive.

The post holder will interpret words, observe and record verbal and non-verbal communication in accordance with DSM5 diagnostic criteria.

Provide support to MDT colleagues

With appropriate support, collaborate with other Livewell Southwest teams and practitioners, providing training, workshops and advice within scope of competence.

Represent the team at appropriate events and meetings as agreed with Clinical Psychologist/Operational Lead

Contributes to the delivery of general clinical services through collaboration with professional staff of other disciplines.

Liaises and works in partnership with other health service providers in the relevant areas and works with statutory and voluntary agencies in the community where appropriate dependent on the needs of service users.

PHYSICAL EFFORT

Frequent combination of sitting, standing, walking in a restricted position. Light physical effort for short periods/sits in constrained position for client sessions.

MENTAL EFFORT

Frequent concentration.

Work pattern of predictable/occasional prolonged concentration.

Frequent requirement for prolonged concentration for client sessions.

Frequent requirement for prolonged concentration when reviewing referral information, clinical records and assessment documentation.

Interprets and analyses complex information from multiple sources to support clinical assessment and formulation

Produces detailed reports and summaries requiring a high degree of accuracy.

EMOTIONAL EFFORT

Regular exposure to distressing information relating to mental health, trauma, neurodevelopmental difficulties, safeguarding concerns and risk.

Supports individuals and families who may be experiencing significant emotional distress while awaiting assessment, during assessment or as part of onward support.

Requires resilience when managing emotionally demanding conversations and clinical information. Occasional contact with clients with forensic histories.

Responsibility of Physical Resources

Responsible for the safe use of office equipment and assessment materials.

Maintains and manages stock of clinical resources used within the service.

Uses specialist software and IT systems to support assessment and service delivery.

Working Conditions

Occasional unpleasant conditions, including exposure to hazards such as verbal abuse, hostility, risk of physical aggression

For full Job Description, see attached document.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Knowledge of psychological theory, and understanding of mental health difficulties and neurodiversity.
• Knowledge of issues relating to the diagnosis and post diagnostic support for autistic people.
• Knowledge of research and audit methodologies.
• Evidence of continued professional development in the field of Psychology .
• Knowledge of relevant and current research around Autism
• Knowledge of autism assessment methodology
• Knowledge of the roles of own and other professions within Autism
• assessment and community focused work

Qualifications

• Graduated to degree level in psychology at 2:1 or above, with evidence of CPD.
• Evidence of additional academic learning
• Eligible for graduate membership of the BPS
• Further training, experience or qualification relating to Autism Spectrum Condition or other neurodiversity.

Additional requirements

• The applicant must be comfortable working in
• non-health -based settings such as wellbeing
• Able to work across the Livewell footprint

Specific Skills

• Organisation and time management skills, including the ability to be flexible and cope with multiple demands, being capable of using
• initiative and organising work to agreed goals.
• Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills, including being able to provide and receive complex, sensitive or
• contentious information in a potentially highly emotive atmosphere.
• Ability to integrate complex data; make evaluations; produce psychological formulations and contribute to decisions and report writing
• Ability to use supervision, knowing when to ask for additional support, identifying when there is need for advice and using
• supervision at agreed intervals.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and resilience when exposed to sensitive, upsetting, or challenging information.
• Ability to work as a member of a clinical team and to work collaboratively, flexibly and supportively.
• Motivational interviewing
• ADOS assessment and scoring
• Neuro-developmental History interviews
• App and webpage editing and building

Experience

• Previous experience in an assistant psychologist role within a health or social care setting, private sector or VCSO.
• Experience of using clinical supervision / reflective practice in the workplace.
• Experience of applying theoretical models in practice.
• Experience of working with autistic people and/OR individuals with neurological, chronic physical or mental health conditions, other
• neurodiversity learning disabilities etc;
• And/OR life experience of neurodiversity, mental health difficulties or chronic health difficulties. This may include personal experience, or carer role.
• Experience of working as part of a team
• Has experience in undertaking elements of autism assessments .
• Can demonstrate through experience a commitment to supporting autistic people.
• Experience of research and audit in real world settings.
• Experience of cognitive assessment and administration of these in
• practice.
• Experience of community mental health settings, inpatient settings and voluntary and community sector organisations (VCSOs).
• Experience of providing teaching, training or supervision.
• Experience of facilitating or co facilitating groups and delivering
• training.
• Experience of collaborative, formulation based risk assessment
• and management

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.

Advanced Practitioner (Operational Lead)

Full-time,Part-time,Job share,Flexible working