Job summary
Assistant Psychologist Perinatal or Ocean Mental Health Service
Main duties of the job
We are looking for someone who is able to engage positively and sensitively with people with mental health difficulties and their support networks and be able to demonstrate an awareness of experiences and challenges that may face those experiencing mental health difficulties in the perinatal period. The Perinatal Mental Health Team is a multidisciplinary team working with women and birthing people during pregnancy and up to 24 months post-birth. The Ocean service is a blended psychology and midwifery service working with maternal trauma and loss. The Assistant Psychologist will support and enhance the psychological trauma-informed care of clients within the service. They will support structured assessments, the preparation and delivery of psychoeducational groups and manualised individual psychological interventions, under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. There are opportunities to get involved in Quality Improvement and service evaluation. We are looking for a candidate who shares ELFT's values, is willing to learn and able to form good working relationships. We are actively working on how to become a more culturally sensitive service and address perinatal health inequalities and welcome applicants from Black or Asian ethnicity. The post requires the ability to occasionally travel between sites and offer home visits across Bedfordshire.
About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Details
- Date posted: 18 August 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 4
- Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year Per annum
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 363-BED8182576
- Job locations: John Bunyan House, Bedford Health Village, Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2NU, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
We are looking for someone who is able to engage positively and sensitively with people with mental health difficulties and their support networks and be able to demonstrate an awareness of experiences and challenges that may face those experiencing mental health difficulties in the perinatal period. The Perinatal Mental Health Team is a multidisciplinary team working with women and birthing people during pregnancy and up to 24 months post-birth. The Ocean service is a blended psychology and midwifery service working with maternal trauma and loss. The Assistant Psychologist will support and enhance the psychological trauma-informed care of clients within the service. They will support structured assessments, the preparation and delivery of psychoeducational groups and manualised individual psychological interventions, under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. There are opportunities to get involved in Quality Improvement and service evaluation. We are looking for a candidate who shares ELFTs values, is willing to learn and able to form good working relationships. We are actively working on how to become a more culturally sensitive service and address perinatal health inequalities and welcome applicants from Black or Asian ethnicity. The post requires the ability to occasionally travel between sites and offer home visits across Bedfordshire.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal, active listening and communication skills with service users, carers and staff
- Contain and work with moderate team level stress and able to appreciate the stress of others
- Manage limited exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances.
- Demonstrate good literacy and report writing skills
- Ability to use a computer competently, especially with regard to word processing
- Ability to work using own initiative but to work within the boundaries of their role
- Accept and use supervision appropriately
Desirable
- Work cross-culturally and/or in different languages
Knowledge
Essential
- Basic overview of mental health issues and approaches to treatment and intervention
- Basic understanding of health care systems and structures: staffing, roles and responsibilities, the role of hospitals, primary care and community care.
Desirable
- Up to date knowledge of psychological research and national guidance relevant to the client group
- Aware of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health
- Able to draw upon a specific theoretical knowledge base in the analysis of facts or situations to arrive at appropriate formulations, under clinical supervision
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a mental healthcare setting (paid or voluntary).
Desirable
- Mental health care of women in the perinatal period
- Delivering therapeutic group interventions.
- Working with carers
- Working in Multi Disciplinary Teams
- Audit, evaluation or research
Qualifications
Essential
- An approved qualification in psychology conferring eligibility for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society, with either a Bachelor's degree (Class 2.1 or higher) OR A Bachelor's degree (any class) together with a higher degree. OR A Bachelor's degree (any class) AND evidence of psychological therapy or counselling training.
Desirable
- Post graduate training in psychological therapies
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Assistant Psychologist Perinatal or Ocean Mental Health Service with East London NHS Foundation Trust in John Bunyan House, Bedford Health Village, Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2NU, United Kingdom, United Kingdom. It is listed as a Band 4 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £28392.00 to £31157.00. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 30 Aug 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (14 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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