Job summary
- Main area
- CNDS
- Grade
- Band 5
- Contract
- 12 months (fixed term)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Occasional evening working)
- Job ref
- 263-SCG25-097-MG
- Employer
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Walkergate Park Hospital
- Town
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Salary
- £29,970 - £36,483 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 15/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Higher Assistant Psychologist
Band 5
Hello!
We are so delighted you are considering coming to work with us at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).
We know the power of looking into an organisation, one you might want to work in, or one where you are going to get help, and being able to say, ‘I’ve seen somewhere I can fit in and be myself.’ We’re on a journey to make the Trust an inclusive employer, representative of the community we serve and we want more of our community to consider applying for jobs with us.
Opportunities for you
Spanning east to west coasts from Northumberland to Cumbria and from the Scottish Borders down to Middlesbrough we’ve got exciting new opportunities available at every level and in every area.
We offer flexible working, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities, or training and development needs and there’s lots on offer in the way of benefits, such as, lease cars, childcare schemes, staff discounts, season tickets for travel and a cycle to work scheme. All this in a vibrant workplace supported by the following staff networks.
- Cultural diversity staff network
- Disabled staff network
- LGBT+ staff network
We also have a number of staff support groups which are open to any staff to attend. These Include:
- Armed Forces and Veterans Staff Association
- Mind, Health and Wellbeing Community
- Menopause toolkit and cafes and staff carer support group
We offer fantastic personal development opportunities through our Collective Leadership Programme and other Organisational Development initiatives. Whatever you are looking for, you will be joining a supportive, friendly team, offering varied and interesting roles, with opportunities for career progression.
Always improving
CNTW is regulated by the national healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our last two inspections have rated us as an outstanding organisation. We’re always seeking to improve as an organisation. Do you want to be part of that?
Please note that it is a requirement of this Trust that all external applicants pay for their own DBS certification if a DBS check is required for the post. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first monthly pay
Job overview
The Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) are looking to recruit a Higher Assistant Psychologist (3.5 days/week). The post holder will contribute to a specialist clinical psychology service, as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing second opinion autism assessments and advice on management. The responsibilities involve providing specialist assessment and therapy to children and young people with complex mental health difficulties and autism. The team also run group interventions and research on treatment approaches for autistic children and young people.
In their role as Research Assistant (1.5 days/week) they will support the CNTW site with recruitment and retention of participants to an exciting study, funded by the NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research. The DISCA sleep study investigates the clinical and cost effectiveness of a digital intervention designed to help parents manage sleep problems in children (aged 6-12 years) with ADHD.
Main duties of the job
The post holder requires specialist clinical and research skills in working with neurodivergent children and young people. The post holder must have had experience as an assistant psychologist for at least one year and experience of working with children and young people in a clinical setting.
Working for our organisation
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 1st July 2025
Closing date : 15th July 2025
We welcome your application.
Advert may close early if sufficient applications are received.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Upper 2nd class honours degree, or higher in psychology
- Eligibility for graduate membership of British Psychological Society
Desirable criteria
- Further post graduate training, in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis
Knowledge and Expereince
Essential criteria
- Paid or unpaid work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities. Experience as an assistant/research psychologist (2 year minimum). Knowledge of evidence-based practice.
- Experience of providing individual or group interventions.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of paid work in direct care provision. Experience with client group relevant to post i.e. Experience within forensic and/or community environments
- Experience of psychometric test administration and interpretation
Skills
Essential criteria
- High level of communication skills (written and oral), including an ability to communicate and work in highly emotive circumstances. Ability to communicate sensitive information to clients, carers and colleagues. A high standard of report writing
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and other disabilities. Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health / cognitive impairment / ND context
- Computer literate, including use of databases & data analysis, e.g. SPSS for Windows. Demonstrates graduate level knowledge and experience of research and research methodology
- An understanding of psychology applied to healthcare
Desirable criteria
- Ability to meet travel requirements of the post
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
- Barry Morgan
- Job title
- Team Coordinator
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
Informal enquiries to Daniel Graham [email protected]
and Charlotte Elder [email protected] (Higher Assistant Psychologists) via email or telephone on 0191 287 5260.
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