Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As an assistant psychologist with an interest in mental health, and existing expertise drawn from previous assistant psychologist practice or work in psychological settings, your role would be to work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team to assist in delivering psychologically-informed care to service users on the ward, to support them to work towards a life outside of hospital. Under supervision, you would contribute to the psychological delivery of the service, to help develop a team-based and psychologically informed understanding of the service users’ needs, through a variety of methods, including clinical interventions, training, research and service development. This will involve embedding trauma informed practice directly with service users and team members. A wish and an ability to make and maintain meaningful relationships with patients and staff is central in this role as well as an openness to integrate the psychological perspective with the perspectives of other professions within the MDT and other services. 

The post holder will receive regular clinical supervision and management supervision from psychological professionals within the Complex Psychosis Pathway, in line with professional and Trust guidance, as well as attending team reflective practice. The post holder will have an annual appraisal and be supported to engage in CPD in line with their appraisal goals and objectives. The post holder will be responsible for maintaining associated records of clinical and research activity.

Ward 5 is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to creating a supportive workplace. The post holder will work with people from different cultural backgrounds and experiences and should be committed to equal opportunities. 

We are passionate about supporting teams and services to be psychologically informed, maximising therapeutic potential and proportionate risk management. The successful applicant will have a keen interest of working within an MDT environment and adapting interventions for people with complex, diverse needs, and who may pose a risk of harm to themselves or others, including individuals with offence histories. They will share the team’s service-user-centred approach, promoting collaborative formulation and risk assessment, accounting for links between trauma, distress and behaviours of concern. They will have a strong commitment to promoting recovery and supporting service users develop and work towards values-based goals to improve their quality of life.

The service is currently undergoing exciting development and transformation, and towards the end of 2026 Ward 5 will relocate to Parkside Lodge, Armley - a redeveloped and purpose-built stand-alone rehabilitation unit.

Conversations about the post and the ward are welcomed, and we encourage you to contact the people listed in this advert to discuss the post. 

Please note this vacancy may close earlier than the date advertised should there be a large volume of applications received.

The proposed start date for the role will be the 1st September 2026.

We recruit people based on their values and qualifications (where required) and believe that their lived experience is an advantage, this means that together we are as diverse as the communities we care for. Simply put, when we employ caring people who act with integrity and have the right skills, we can give those with mental health challenges, learning disabilities and neurodiversity high-quality care and support to live fulfilling lives, and make our staff feel purposeful, happy and valued.

All our information is available in accessible formats. Please contact the Recruitment team [email protected] 

Attached to this advert is our candidates guide to values-based recruitment and supporting guidance on how to make a successful application. 

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Recruitment Team or see the attached candidate guide to reasonable adjustments. 

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. 

So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the Candidate Guide to Values Based Recruitment. This document provides you with information to help you apply.

Informal enquiries to:

Dr Zoe McAndrews, Principal Clinical Psychologist ([email protected])
Mr Alberto Diamantini, Psychodynamic Psychotherapist ([email protected] )

Telephone: 0113 8556507 (Please ask for Mr Diamantini)