SEHSCT Clinical Associate in Psychology for Childrens Health Band 6

Job details

• Branch: Lisburn Area (SEHSCT)
• Location: LPCCC
• Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 01/09/26
• Closes: Tue, 15 September 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week. Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Clinical Associate in Psychology for Children’s Health

BAND: 6

DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Adult Services

INITIAL LOCATION: LPCCC

REPORTS TO: Practitioner Psychologist

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Clinical Director of Psychology

For professional matters the person will be accountable to the Clinical Director of Psychology via Consultant Lead Clinical Psychologist for service area.

JOB SUMMARY

The Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) is an addition to the Psychological workforce and supports the wider NHS agenda to develop and expand the psychological provision. Clinical Associates in Psychology fill an identified skills gap between assistant psychologist and qualified clinical psychologists. They are able to practice autonomously with appropriate support, working within their scope of practice, under the supervision of a registered clinical psychologist.

CAPs are scientist practitioners who utilise psychological knowledge, research and theory to reduce psychological distress and to enhance psychological wellbeing in the clients they work with. They work with specific client groups in a range of services, acting as a resource of psychological skill and competence to a team of healthcare practitioners.

As a qualified CAP the post holder will provide effective evidence based care in line with National and local guidelines. They will manage a caseload and take responsibility for proactive care delivery decisions, within their scope of practice and under the supervision of a registered clinical psychologist. The post holder will plan, assess, implement and evaluate programmes of care. CAPs are expected to maintain a compassionate, caring and safe care environment.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide high quality, evidence-based psychological interventions, to inform practice with formulations derived from specialist psychological assessment, to work effectively with populations from different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs, and to draw on an understanding of applied service-related research to support service evaluation and improvement.

Clinical Associates in Psychology work alongside other psychological practitioners such as Assistant Psychologists, Psychological Therapists and Practitioner Psychologist as well as other colleagues within the multi-disciplinary team. They work with specific populations and therefore provide a more prescribed range of activities than Clinical Psychologists.

1

KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

Perform assessments and understand how to analyse and appraise the range of cognitive-behavioural and other psychological assessment methods used within applied clinical practice to underpin assessment.

Carry out risk assessments in relation to psychological distress and ensure that risk formulations are integrated with interventions understanding contingency management and the use of risk indicators in mitigating against crises. This includes conducting risk management assessments and evaluations.

Analyse and appraise the range of cognitive-behavioural and other psychological assessment methods used within applied clinical practice to underpin diagnosis and/or formulation. In doing this to draw on formulations in psychological theory, providing a clinical framework describing an individual’s problem and/or needs, whilst providing a rationale for how problems have developed and are maintained.

Develop collaborative formulations with children / young people and families so as to sense-check understandings and influence delivery of evidenced-based individualised psychological interventions. In doing this to take into account the preferences of the child / young person, and that of their parents/ caregivers when planning a psychological intervention.

Create, implement and appraise formulations based upon multiple sources of clinical and other data to inform the management of psychological interventions and where no protocols or treatment guidance exists.

Use a range of evidence-based psychological models and protocols when addressing individualised need and critically appraise these models and interventions (including CBT) to inform treatment planning and appropriate choice of treatment protocols. In doing this to understand how to interpret treatment choices with individuals, groups and other healthcare colleagues.

Set appropriate intervention goals and agree these with children/ young people and their families / caregivers.

Plan, deliver and evaluate psychological interventions whilst working with individuals or groups with a variety of mental health needs. In doing this actively engage service users in interventions to address and resolve emotive contexts and circumstances.

Deliver a range of psychological treatments / interventions with children/ young people and their families. In doing this, working within their scope of practice, whilst the supervising Clinical Psychologist will review their practice through supervision and retain overall clinical responsibility for their work. Reporting to a Clinical Psychologist in terms of psychological assessment, formulation and intervention.

Implement appropriate crisis interventions that are safe, effective and compassionate and follow a rights-based approach consistent with service standards, reporting and reflecting upon critical incidents and serious adverse events influencing and changing clinical practice.

Apply psychological theory and research to address emotive and challenging situations, taking account of conflicting and contradictory information from children and young people / parents / carers and other healthcare professionals

Conduct individualised psychological evaluation utilising techniques such as behavioural observation when required.

Use psychological measurement tools, in accordance with their scope of practice, to evaluate psychological treatments and improve the quality of clinical practice to complement their work. In doing this to understand the fundamentals of psychometric principles which guide the use of valid and reliable standardised assessment tools with specific populations.

Accurately measure and evaluate outcomes by selecting the appropriate measurement tools from a range of possible options in the context of individual and service level change.

Maintaining awareness of prevalence, incidence and impact of common mental health myths, misconceptions and stereotypes on service-users. Whilst understanding the importance of therapeutic alliance for effective psychological interventions with children / young people and their parents / carers.

Understand how psychological interventions should minimise harm, maximise benefits and result in improvement of overall quality of life for children / young people and their families.

Act as a psychological resource to the wider health or social care teams. This may include providing support, guidance and supervision, using psychological models, to the wider health or social care teams

The post-holder must also

Be capable of making judgements about the needs of individuals, the identification of potential risks, and the possible requirement for more specialist assessment and treatment

Be capable of weighing conflicting components pertaining to a complex problem or situation

Monitor their own effectiveness with each patient and/or the presenting problem, to determine whether consultation or supervision from a colleague is required

Ensure referral to designated supervisor is promptly made when case complexity falls out with their own range of competency.

Be capable of monitoring a situation or intervention by some formal means of evaluation, and be able to modify the plan, treatment or intervention to obtain a better outcome.

Be capable of balancing the welfare rights of the individual against the duty of care to the wider community where the behaviour of a patient is likely to pose a significant risk to themselves and others

Participate in the clinical governance activity of the team

Communication and Working Relationships

Communicate constructively with a range of healthcare professionals in a variety of services including nurses, social workers, allied health professionals (AHPs) and medical colleagues as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Link directly with the psychology team, alongside assistant psychologists and trainee clinical psychologists, while reporting to a Clinical Psychologist regarding psychological assessment, formulation and intervention.

Work as part of a multidisciplinary team and liaise with relevant external agencies to facilitate and enable psychological interventions.

Communicate new learning approaches and provide constructive feedback to challenge and overcome barriers to implementation of best psychological practice

Communicate to others the core concepts of psychological theory, research and practice in order to enhance their delivery of psychological interventions.

Provide training for others to inform and support psychological models of change and interventions.

Provide training within teams to enhance delivery of clinical and research practice interventions appropriate to the health and psychological needs of children, young people and their families across a range of settings.

Effectively communicate decision making processes which have informed the psychological management of risk; implement and respond appropriately to risk, using appropriate guidance and support, maintaining compliance with service policy and values

Understand impact of multiple perspectives within the context of multidisciplinary teams.

Explain the rationales to individuals, groups and other healthcare colleagues, for evidence-based psychological treatment models and protocols

Management and Personal Development

Be accountable professionals delivering psychological assessments, formulations, interventions and research within their scope of practice

Manage a caseload while undertaking their own clinical programmes of work, within their scope of practice

Be responsible for own learning and development using reflection and feedback to analyse their own capabilities

Be responsible for ensuring that resources are managed effectively

Undertake regular clinical psychology supervision in accordance with British Psychological Society (BPS) standards for accredited practice; understanding clinical supervision provides opportunities for others to review and modify their practice, maintain high professional standards of competence and to enhance the delivery of individualised care

To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training, and development programmes, in consultation with the post-holders professional and service manager (s).

Use the principles of leadership theory to influence best psychological practice when working in teams

Recognise the importance and impact of organisational culture in service delivery and development

Understand the appropriate boundaries of professional competency in offering support and supervision and work within the scope of practice of the role and within the bounds of professional competence, in line with employer’s requirements around values, conduct and ethics

In all clinical and professional activities, act in accordance with the BPS Professional Code of Conduct, identifying and challenging discriminatory behaviour

Participate in the staff appraisal process.

Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures.

Keep self-updated on all matters relating to Trust policy.

Comply with Board, Trust and Directorate policies and procedures.

Undertake specific administrative duties as required.

Participate to committees, working parties etc. as appropriate to clinical work.

Take part in research, audit and evaluation as required.

Strategic Development, Planning and Organising

Participate in the delivery of audit and service improvement projects leading to the continuous enhancement and quality improvement of clinical practice

Use applied service research and evaluation to inform interventions

Work to BPS Professional Code of Conduct, local and national policies and procedures that define scope of practice

Implement, plan and manage psychological interventions when working with complex and long term needs

Use a range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies relevant to situation and service context

Use a range of research approaches drawing on specialist psychological tools to collect data to evaluate own practice as well as to enhance service delivery

Administration

Implement, produce and maintain clear, legible and contemporaneous patient records regarding direct and indirect patient contacts and wider working within teams adhering to professional and ethical standards

Act on the duty to comply with service and national standards of clinical record-keeping

Use Trust electronic systems as required for the role

Undertake any required e-learning as directed by the Trust

Be proficient in using a variety of software packages.

Effort and Environmental Factors

This role is likely to involve working with children and young people who are in an emotionally distressed, aggressive or suicidal state, therefore the post holder will need to be prepared to deal with high levels of distress and hearing about traumatic life events.

The post requires multi-tasking, managing competing demands alongside sustained mental effort, concentration and task switching.

General Management Responsibilities

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with ‘Your right to raise a concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

The post holder will, in the event of a concern being raised with them, ensure it is managed correctly under the ‘Your right to raise a concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy, and ensure that feedback/learning is communicated at individual, team and organisational level regarding the concerns raised, and how they were resolved.

General Requirements

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the SETRUST are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the SETRUST including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the SETRUST policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

The HSC Code of conduct sets out the standards of conduct expected of all staff in the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust and presents standards of conduct and behaviours required during and after employment with the Trust. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

Employees must at all times abide by Trust policies and procedures and the terms of their contract of employment. They must conduct themselves with impartiality, integrity, objectivity and honesty and maintain high standards of personal and professional accountability.

Employees are expected to demonstrate commitment to the Trust by ensuring regular attendance at work and efficient completion of duties.

Employees must ensure that they comply with any risk management responsibilities specific to their post, and as set out in the Trust’s Risk Management Strategy.

The Trust is committed to the development and implementation of systems under Integrated Governance to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of services provided. Employees will be expected to co-operate and work with such systems.

All information concerning patients and staff must be held in the strictest confidence and may not be divulged to any unauthorized person.

Employees must ensure that equality and human rights issues are addressed within the post holder’s area of responsibility in accordance with the Trust’s Equality Scheme.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information. PPI_leaflet.pdf (hscni.net)

August 2026

Personnel Specification

JOB TITLE: Clinical Associate in Psychology for Childrens Health

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE: Adult Services

HOURS: 37.5

Requisition: 55881655

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Registration

An Honours Degree in Psychology which confers eligibility for Graduate Registration of the British Psychological Society.

Clinical Associate in Psychology (Children and Young people ) qualification (MSc) accredited by BPS as CAP (CYP)

Registration on the BPS CAP Register on appointment

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

General good health for the demands of the post

Acceptable attendance record

Pre-employment health assessment

Application form / Interview / referee report

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

High level communication skills (written and verbal), including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.

Ability to work collaboratively and interact effectively with others.

Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.

An understanding of the needs and difficulties of children and young people with mental health problems.

An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a children’s mental health context.

Ability to interact appropriately and meaningfully with children young people and families.

Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently, with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.

Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.

Interview

Knowledge

Knowledge of psychological assessment for children, young people and their families / carers.

Knowledge of psychological formulation for children, young people and their families / carers.

Knowledge of psychological interventions for children, young people and their carers/families.

Knowledge of current clinical and practice issues relevant to children and adolescent mental health.

Knowledge of current trends and issues in the SEHSCT.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

“The successful candidate can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.”

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. Request for recognition of previous service with non-direct NHS/HSC organisations towards starting salary and incremental credit must be made via the Retained Recruitment team within 3 months from commencement of employment. Requests made after 3 months will not be considered. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance

HSC Value

What does this mean?

What does this look like in practice? - Behaviours

Working Together

We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.

I work with others and value everyone’s contribution

I treat people with respect and dignity

I work as part of a team looking for opportunities to support and help people in both my own and other teams

I actively engage people on issues that affect them

I look for feedback and examples of good practice, aiming to improve where possible

Compassion

We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.

I am sensitive to the different needs and feelings of others and treat people with kindness

I learn from others by listening carefully to them

I look after my own health and well-being so that I can care for and support others

Excellence

We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes. We deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care and support.

I put the people I care for and support at the centre of all I do to make a difference

I take responsibility for my decisions and actions

I commit to best practice and sharing learning, while continually learning and developing

I try to improve by asking ‘could we do this better?’

Openness & Honesty

We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

I am open and honest in order to develop trusting relationships

I ask someone for help when needed

I speak up if I have concerns

I challenge inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour and practice