Job overview

Ascend is an evidence-based, psychological service, working in partnership with local voluntary sector services (Staffordshire Women's Aid/Survive), and alongside existing NHS services, including Talking Therapies and secondary mental health services.

The PWP role is to assess and support people accessing the Ascend service, undertaking patient-centred interviews which identifies areas where the person wished to see change and or recovery, and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others. The role will use a range of information and support for evidence based psychological treatments, providing Step 2 interventions in the form of both 1:1 treatment and groups.

The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities

Main duties of the job

1. Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.
2. Assess and support people accessing the Ascend Service, a service for people aged 16 and above who have experienced sexual assault or abuse.
3. Undertake patient-centred assessments which identifies areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
4. Make decisions on suitability of new referrals with appropriate levels of supervision, adhering to the service's referral protocols, refers unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary.
5. Provide a range of information and support for evidence based psychological treatments. This work may be face to face, telephone, workshops or via other media.
6. Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the overall number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.
7. Provide a minimum of two hours per week step 2 treatment with patients aged 16+ within an adult service. This clinical practice must include both assessment and 1:1 treatment, groups via live interventions
8. Attend MDT meetings relating to referrals of clients in treatment, where appropriate.

Working for our organisation

As a Trust we remain bold and ambitious with plans for both service and system collaborative transformation over the coming years to improve the health and wellbeing of our local people through high quality care.

We pride ourselves on ensuring our team has their wellbeing put first and as such provide a range of wellness opportunities including flexible working. 

We are committed to the Greener NHS national ambition to becoming the world’s first ‘carbon net zero’ national health system by 2045 (Greener NHS (england.nhs.uk). As part of this, sustainability is embedded in our strategy as one of our four key enablers. In order to deliver on this commitment, we recognise that we need a workforce that is as passionate as we are about achieving these goals, for the benefit of our service users, workforce, local communities and the planet alike.  For 2024/2025, we have launched our “Proud to be Green” engagement campaign which is aligned to the targets set out in our Green Plan.  As a Trust, you can be assured that we will commit to supporting you in working towards our net zero ambitions, set out in our Green Plan, through our sustainability programme”. 

 The Trust is committed to ensuring that a diverse workforce is representative and inclusive at all levels. We would very much welcome applications from all under-represented groups including women, people with disabilities, people from global majority backgrounds, and those from the lesbian, gay, bi and trans communities.