Assistant Psychologist

Job summary

Main duties of the job

This Assistant Psychologist role sits at the heart of our secure CAMHS service, working closely with the Principal Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Practitioners, Speech and Language Therapy, and Occupational Therapy to embed trauma-informed, formulation-led practice across the whole system of care. The role is primarily indirect, with a strong emphasis on supporting staff teams, contributing to psychological thinking, and helping shape the everyday environment around young people.

You will play a key part in developing and sustaining trauma-informed formulations that guide care planning, risk assessment, and intervention pathways. This includes regular opportunities for consultation, reflective practice, and joint formulation work alongside senior colleagues, ensuring that psychological understanding meaningfully influences how the service supports young people.

A core aspect of the role involves building collaborative relationships with residential care staff, helping translate psychological ideas into day-to-day interactions. You will also get to know young people directly, supporting the development of therapeutic relationships that inform assessment.You will also contribute to the neurodevelopmental assessment pathway and ND-informed care planning.

Working within an experienced MDT, you will have access to ongoing training, supervision, and professional development.

Job responsibilities

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.