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Job summary

Main area
Child & Adolescent Mental Health
Grade
Band 4
Contract
12 months (Fixed term for 12 months)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (working during the hours of Monday to Friday 9-5)
Job ref
152-M178.25
Employer
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Shelley Clinic
Town
Bournemouth
Salary
£27,485 - £30,162 p.a.
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
13/08/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Assistant Psychologist

Band 4

 

 

Job overview

We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Assistant Psychologist to join our dynamic community CAMHS team, supporting children and young people who are currently on waiting lists for different specialist interventions. This role is a vital part of our early intervention strategy, offering structured wellbeing calls to promote emotional resilience, provide psychoeducation, and ensure ongoing support during the waiting period.

Offered on  12 month fixed term working 37.5 hours per week. The post is based in Bournemouth and Christchurch Core Camhs.  The service has adopted the THRIVE model of care, which aims to identify and deliver clinical interventions that are based on the family need. 

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.  Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

Please note that we will close this advert early if high numbers of applications are received.  Therefore please ensure that if interested, your application is submitted as soon as possible. 

Main duties of the job

Deliver regular wellbeing check-ins via phone or video call to young people and their families.

Use evidence-based approaches to support emotional wellbeing and signpost to appropriate resources.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care and escalate concerns where necessary.

Maintain accurate and confidential records in line with service protocols.

Contribute to service development and evaluation through data collection and feedback.

About You:

  • A psychology degree (BPS accredited) and relevant experience working with children or young people in a mental health or educational setting.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a warm and empathetic approach.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a supportive team.
  • A strong understanding of safeguarding and confidentiality.

Opportunities for clinical supervision, training and development are available as well as involvement in CAMHS transformation.

Working for our organisation

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people. 

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference.   Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of 
ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification.  When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [email protected]

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only.  Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Person specification

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential criteria
  • 2:1 or 1st class degree in psychology
  • Experience with Children and Young People mental health
  • Experience of psychometric testing, as well as experience with other tests

Job specific experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working with young people who have autism or adhd
  • Experience of psychometric/neuropsychological assessment

Information technology

Essential criteria
  • Experience running and maintaining databases
  • Experience of audit
  • Completion of research dissertation - preferably relevant to clinial psychology

Personal qualities/attributes

Essential criteria
  • Previous experience as an assistant psychologist
  • Good understanding of people with special neeeds or mental health problems

Business travel

Essential criteria
  • Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust Level 1* or business.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

National Interim Quality MarkNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardModern Slavery ActApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveInvestors in PeopleImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingPrince's Trust - Proud to support the Prince's trust - Youth can do itStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Lisa White
Job title
Clinical Service Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01202 646300
Additional information

Bella Harlow, Team Lead 01202 646300

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