Job summary
- Main area
- Clinical Psychology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 349-SHCG-8195708-RL4
- Employer
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- North Star Centre, City View House
- Town
- Ardwick
- Salary
- £28,392 - £31,157 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 28/09/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Assistant Psychologist CAMHS IST
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity for an assistant psychologist to support the work of an innovative psychology led Intensive Support Team. The post holder will form part of a multi-agency team consisting of clinical psychology, learning disability nursing, speech therapy, occupational therapy and clinical support workers.
The team work with a small number of children and young people and their families in Manchester, Salford and Trafford who are identified on the local Dynamic Support Database as needing the most intensive support and being at high risk of moving to a residential setting or hospital.
Working alongside the local services, the Intensive Support Team create, instigate and support the implementation of person-centred support plans with the aim of supporting children and young people to stay with their families in their local communities.
The post holder will be expected to assist the qualified Psychologists, Community Learning Disability Nurses and Speech Therapists and Occupational Therapists in the preparation, instigation and evaluation of a variety of clinical, teaching and research tasks.
Main duties of the job
A key part of the role involves analysing service information such as routine outcome measures and presenting results to the clinical team. The post holder will act under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist and will be given appropriate tuition to enable the successful performance of clinical and other duties.
Under supervision, the post holder will be expected to assist qualified Clinical Psychologists in implementing psychological interventions. This will include using a variety of assessment procedures to collect relevant data, analysis of data, undertaking clinical interventions with others and evaluating interventions as required.
· In undertaking these duties, the post holder will be expected to communicate sensitive information with children, families and parent groups both verbally and in writing.
· The post holder will also be expected to liaise with other professionals such as school teachers and social workers in undertaking assessments and interventions.
· The post holder will need to complete observations across settings and at different times of the day, including observations of the child on their way to school or at tea time. This will be pre-negotiated but highlights that willingness to work flexibly may be required.
Working for our organisation
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe – a great place to shape your career.
With a workforce of over 30,000 colleagues, we work together to deliver exceptional care to more than 1 million people every year.
Behind every patient cared for are people like you - keeping services running smoothly, supporting clinical teams, and helping create safe, welcoming environments for patients and our people alike.
At MFT, we believe in the power of teamwork, respect, and inclusion. Our People Plan reflects our commitment to making MFT a place where everyone feels they belong, where your ideas are heard, and your contribution is truly valued. Join us and work smarter with our digital technology and thrive in a collaborative culture that empowers you to deliver your best to ensure that your work behind the scenes creates seamless, high-quality care and exceptional patient outcomes.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, we offer clear pathways for development and a culture that supports your wellbeing, ambition, and success. Everything you do makes a real difference to the lives of others.
At MFT, your role matters, your impact is real, and you’re part of something bigger from day one.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Documents to download’ heading.
Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Documents to download’ heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.
What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:
Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.
Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.
Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.
The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.
For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december
DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Eligibility for registration with British Psychological Society
- You must have a recognised qualification. Degree in Psychology at a 2:1 or above
Desirable criteria
- Good academic record as evidence by: First class honours degree in psychology
- A level results
Experience
Essential criteria
- A good knowledge of developmental and clinical aspects of psychology
- Experience of using computer software packages
- Demonstrated interest in working with people with mental health problems
- Understanding of the principles of Clinical Governance and a willingness to follow Trust Policy and Procedures
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working with young autistic people or people with learning disabilities
- Experience of database and computer packages beyond those undertaken in degree
- Experience of working with hard to reach or diverse communities
Knowledge, Skills and Ability
Essential criteria
- Ability to work to tight deadlines
- Ability to work with people from different backgrounds and of different ages
- Highly developed verbal and written communication skills with the ability to provide and receive highly complex or sensitive information
- The ability to function as a part of a multi-disciplinary team and to liaise effectively with other agencies i.e., education, GP’s, maintaining positive working relationships.
- The ability to work with people from a range of different backgrounds, cultures and or different ages.
- The ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance
- The ability to manage own workload, prioritising tasks to complete in order of importance
- The ability to manage and organise own time and work flexibly and creatively in a clinical context and pressurised situations
- The ability to work independently with the support of clinical and management supervision but to understand limits of own professional capacity
- The ability to maintain clinical records both written and electronic.
- The ability to cope with stressful situations including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the case of highly emotive and distressing problems.
Desirable criteria
- Excellent presentation skills – demonstrated beyond requirements for degree
- Evidence of organisational skills e.g. voluntary work undertaken whilst at university
Work Related Circumstance
Essential criteria
- Use of a car or access to a means of travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs
- Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Clare Brown
- Job title
- Principal Clinical Psychologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0161 388 4500
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