Assistant Psychologist

Job summary

Are you passionate about improving the lives of people with complex mental health needs? Do you want to develop your psychological skills in a fast-paced, highly supportive service where every day brings the opportunity to make a meaningful difference?

We're looking for an enthusiastic Assistant Psychologist to join our Inpatient and Urgent Care Service, working within the Bridgwater Home Treatment Team. This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience supporting people experiencing acute mental health difficulties and crisis, while working alongside experienced psychologists and a dedicated multidisciplinary team.

You'll help deliver psychologically informed care to people who may otherwise require hospital admission, supporting them in their own communities during some of the most challenging periods of their lives. Through assessment, formulation and evidence-based interventions, you'll play a vital role in promoting recovery, hope and psychological wellbeing.

We are proud of our recovery-focused, trauma-informed culture, where kindness, compassion and collaboration with Experts by Experience shape everything we do. You'll be supported to grow your skills, contribute to service development and quality improvement, and work in an environment that values learning, innovation and teamwork.

If you're motivated by making a difference and want to build your career in mental health psychology, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

In this role, you will:

• Support psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for people receiving care from the Home Treatment Team.
• Deliver brief evidence-based psychological interventions on an individual and group basis under the supervision of qualified psychologists.
• Work closely with colleagues across psychology, nursing, psychiatry and wider mental health services to provide holistic, person-centred care.
• Help develop psychologically informed approaches within the team through consultation, training and shared learning.
• Contribute to service evaluation, audit, quality improvement and research activities to help shape and enhance the service.
• Gather and analyse outcomes data and service user feedback to support ongoing development and improvement.
• Build positive relationships with patients, families, carers and professionals across a wide range of services.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

• Date posted: 04 September 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 5
• Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part-time
• Reference number: 184-OL-GR-5524
• Job locations: Glanville House, Church Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5AT, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

As an Assistant Psychologist, you will become a valued member of our Inpatient and Urgent Care Psychology Service, working within the Bridgwater Home Treatment Team. The service supports people experiencing acute mental health difficulties who require intensive support in the community as an alternative to hospital admission, or who need additional support following discharge from inpatient care.

Working under the supervision of experienced Clinical Psychologists, you'll contribute to specialist psychological assessments and help develop shared formulations that guide compassionate, effective care. You will deliver psychological interventions tailored to individual needs and support the wider team's understanding of psychological approaches to recovery.

This role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience working with a diverse range of presentations, including severe and enduring mental health difficulties, trauma, emotional distress and complex risk. You'll work collaboratively with colleagues from a variety of specialist services across Somerset, helping people navigate transitions between services and ensuring continuity of care.

Alongside your clinical work, you'll have opportunities to contribute to:

• Service development and innovation projects.
• Clinical audit and service evaluation.
• Outcome measurement and data analysis.
• Research and evidence reviews.
• Staff training and psychologically informed practice initiatives.

We are looking for someone who has:

• A psychology degree (2:1 or above, or equivalent) with eligibility for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society.
• At least one year of experience working within mental health settings.
• Experience delivering therapeutic or psychologically informed interventions in a clinical environment.
• Experience working effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong assessment, communication and interpersonal skills.
• A compassionate, respectful and recovery-focused approach.
• An understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and the needs of people experiencing mental health crises.
• The ability to manage emotionally challenging situations professionally, whilst maintaining personal resilience and seeking support when needed.

A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes are essential, as travel across Somerset may be required.

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we believe our people are our greatest asset. You'll be supported through regular clinical supervision, continuing professional development opportunities, and a culture built on kindness, respect and teamwork.

If you're looking for a role where you can develop your psychological practice, contribute to meaningful service improvement, and make a lasting difference to people's recovery journeys, we encourage you to apply.

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).