Job summary
- Main area
- Neurodevelopmental Service
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 5
- Contract
- 6 months (fixed term 6 months)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 395-BD099-25
- Employer
- NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Child and Family Health Centre
- Town
- Barking
- Salary
- £31,049 - £37,796 plus HCAS per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 14/11/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Assistant Psychologist (Paediatric Neurodevelopmental Pathway)
NHS AfC: Band 5
Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London, Essex, Kent and Medway. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.
The Trust has award winning equality and diversity initiatives and staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest heavily in your development, because when you are valued and supported, we provide the best care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been featured in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and we have achieved a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Along with our staff networks and training opportunities, we work hard to embed a just and compassionate culture here at NELFT.
Find out more about NELFT careers and what makes our Trust a great place to work, in this video
Job overview
The purpose of this job description is to outline the level of responsibility and accountability of this post. This will ensure that all work undertaken by our staff is clearly identified and carried out under clear lines of accountability.
Aim of the role:
The post holder will be expected to support their team, department and organisation to achieve the Trust’s Values in their day to day work. They are:
We are kind.
We are respectful.
We work together with our communities.
The post holder will achieve this by:
1. Working alongside children and families to continually work towards improving and maintaining high standards
2. To initiate and develop new ideas and methods in consultation with the Team and autism Head of Service.
3. Participate in research, audit reviews and other initiatives in accordance with Clinical Governance.
4. Actively contribute to the development and review of policies and procedures based upon best practice.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities:
1. Assisting in the provision of a psychological service to children and families within the specialty under the direction of the supervising clinical psychologist.
2. To be responsible for the planning and prioritisation of own workload and activities following the direction and guidelines given by the supervising clinical psychologist.
3. To undertake assessments of children to inform the diagnosis of possible social communication disorders in clinic, school, home and nursery settings.
4. To deliver post-diagnostic parent groups for parents of children who are autistic.
5. To work within guidelines given by the supervising clinical psychologist.
6. To support a research grant to develop pre-school autism service pathway within our service. The research part of the role is under the supervision of Dr Hilary Toulmin
Working for our organisation
Our Values 2025 - 2030
Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.
They are:
We are kind.
We are respectful.
We work together with our communities.
These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.
Starting with NELFT
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period.
High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15%of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,714 and a maximum payment of £5,941 - per annum, pro rata for part time).
Use of AI
Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI
during the recruitment process.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Skills
1. To undertake protocol based psychological assessment of clients through direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client’s care under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist. Knowledge of typical and atypical neurodevelopment, classification and assessment is vital for this post.
2. To deliver post-diagnostic groups for parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, this includes planning these group with support from clinical psychologist.
3. To be a member of the appropriate multi-disciplinary team providing services to the client group, under the guidance of the supervising clinical psychologist.
4. The post holder will have a personal duty of care for Trust equipment and facilities.
5. To be responsible for the planning and prioritisation of own workload and activities following the direction and guidelines given by the clinical psychologist.
6. To be capable of working in clinical situations which require concentration, and which may involve distressing or emotionally demanding circumstances or where there is risk of verbal or physical aggression.
7. To maintain and update client records in accordance with Trust and professional guidelines.
8. To support the team in management of the waiting lists, this includes telephone call reviews, sending out school reports and chasing school reports, preparing clients for MDT discussion and for assessment.
9. The post holder may be required to demonstrate their own duties to others.
10. To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines and Trust policy.
11. To prepare test materials and visual aids as required. To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
Computer/Administration
1. To Adhere to RIO guidelines when inputting data.
2. To maintain stock levels in own service area by ordering new equipment as appropriate.
Communication
1. To develop a rapport and a therapeutic relationship with servicers users and their carers/parents within appropriate boundaries of the role.
2. To develop effective communication (face to face and on the telephone) with other professionals, SENCOs, Class Teachers, Teaching assistants, Nursery Staff, secretaries and suppliers.
3. To communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
4. To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues.
5. To develop negotiating skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations.
6. To escalate informal complaints if unable to resolve in the first instance where possible.
7. To form relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have some communication difficulties.
8. To contribute to discussions relating to caseload management by discussing own and others input around client’s needs contributing to a well-co-ordinated care plan.
9. To recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support to resolve.
10. To attend relevant meetings including staff meetings.
Training
1. Ensure that own knowledge and skills are constantly updated.
2. Actively participate in clinical supervision.
3. Actively participate in management supervision.
4. Actively participate in child protection supervision.
5. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within the agreed time scale.
6. Undertake mandatory training as required.
7. Undertake RiO training as required.
8. To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good practice in Psychological therapies
9. To develop the ability to reflect on and evaluate training provided.
10. To develop the ability to reflect on practice with clinical supervisor.
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.
Person specification
Grades and experience
Essential criteria
- 2:1 in Psychology
- Experience as an AP
Desirable criteria
- Experience within ND
Experience
Essential criteria
- Understanding of psychological theories and interventions
Desirable criteria
- work within ND
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Application numbers
If you require any additional support during the application process please contact [email protected]. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment journey.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Amy Farrell
- Job title
- Service Delivery Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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