Assistant Psychologist – Learning Disability

LSCft; Whalley; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Part time

Job summary

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) seeks an Assistant Psychologist – Learning Disability for Ravenwood House, Whalley. The post is Band 4, 12 months fixed term, part-time (18.75 hours/week), with a pro rata salary of £28,392–£31,157 per year.

The role involves supervised work delivering psychological support to adults with learning disabilities, within an integrated LD inpatient service, and opportunities for research and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• Upper second-class honours degree in psychology.
• Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
• Experience with people with learning disabilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering psychological support to adults with learning disabilities.
• Deliver assessments and interventions under supervision.
• Participate in service-related research opportunities.
• Work within a multidisciplinary inpatient LD service.

Skills

Lifespan psychology

Research under supervision

Communication skills

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Psychology degree

BPS membership eligibility

Job description

Assistant Psychologist – Learning Disability

Band 4

Main area Learning Disabilities Grade Band 4 Contract 12 months (12 Months Fixed Term) Hours Part time - 18.75 hours per week Job ref 351-PEN1198-LW

Site Ravenwood House Town Whalley Salary £28,392 - £31,157 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 09/11/2026 23:59

Our Vision is to provide the best mental health, learning disability, autism, community, and physical health services for the populations we serve.

As an integrated Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) delivers a comprehensive range of services, including:

• Primary and secondary mental health care for children and adults, including specialist inpatient child and adolescent mental health provision, perinatal mental health, and forensic services with low and medium secure care.
• Specialist mental health inpatient care for individuals with learning disabilities, alongside specialist community support for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, including intensive support.
• Extensive community physical health and well‑being services for children and adults, covering prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and long‑term condition management.

The Trust was first established in 2002 and employs approximately 7,500 staff who provide care from more than 400 sites. The organisation offers opportunities for medics, mental health, general nurses, children’s nurses, allied health professionals, psychology, administration and clerical staff, apprentices and volunteers, as well as those specialising in learning disabilities and community physical health services.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative person to join learning disability professionals working within a learning disability inpatient service.
This service is comprised of four separately housed individuals with complex needs. Additionally the LD service is composed of an assessment and treatment service; community adult and CYP services and has excellent links with local clinical psychology training courses (Lancaster, Liverpool and Manchester).

The post-holder will receive regular supervision from a qualified clinical psychologist working within the same service,.

An upper second-class degree or above in Psychology and eligibility for graduate BPS membership is essential.

Main duties of the job

This post offers the opportunity to joint work with a multidisciplinary team within the LDS inpatient service. The post-holder’s main role will be to work under the supervision of a clinical psychologist and to assist in the delivery of psychological support to adults with a learning disability who have complex needs and display behaviours that challenge.
This will include opportunities/requirements to deliver a range of assessments and interventions under the supervision of a qualified psychologist for adults with learning disabilities.

Previous experience of contact with adults with learning disabilities and work in an inpatient setting is essential. There may also be opportunities for service related research.

Working for our organisation

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under‑represented groups. If you’d like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi‑time.

The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Qualifications

• An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
• Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

Knowledge

• A good knowledge of lifespan psychology applied to health care.
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with psychological/mental health difficulties and learning disabilities.

Experience

• Contact with people with learning disabilities.

Skills

• Ability to undertake psychologically informed research projects under supervision.
• Good communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work across a number of different settings.
• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.

For all posts which require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check please be aware of the Disclosure and Barring Service Code of Practice, a copy of which is available by logging on to the DBS website. If the post is subject to DBS disclosure, a charge will be made to the successful candidate(s).

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.