Job overview
We hope that you will join us as our Band 4 Assistant Psychologist, supporting the delivery of the new Young People’s Specialist Support Team across the Pennine Care footprint.
This is an Assistant Psychologist role within a multiagency team comprising clinical psychology, learning disability nursing, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and support workers. The Young People’s Specialist Support Team sits alongside the Community Learning Disability and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services across the footprint, consisting of community learning disability nursing, clinical psychology and psychiatry.
Main duties of the job
The team will be working with a small number of children and young people who have severe learning disabilities and who have been identified as having complex needs including autism and/or behaviour that challenges, that require intensive support. Working alongside the local respite and short breaks services, the Young People’s Specialist Support Team will work together to create, instigate and support trauma-focused, person-centred, positive behaviour support plans with the aim of improving the quality of life for this group of children and young people and reduce any restrictions or restraints (in accordance with NICE guidance).
The post holder will have experience working with children and young people and have developed some skills in assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation. The postholder will have experience of working in multi-agency settings. Due to the level of independent working and management of risk, the postholder is expected to have experience of working with this client group and an interest in working with children with learning disabilities and complex needs.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This is a role that will truly enable you to make a system wide difference to children with severe learning disabilities and complex needs. Work with us and put your passion into practice. See that attached job description for detailed duties and responsibilities.
Person specification
Essential and desirable
Essential criteria
* An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology. Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
* Experience as a Psychology Assistant
* An understanding of the difficulties of children with neurodevelopmental conditions and / or mental health problems and the needs of their carers
* An understanding of psychology applied to health care
* Knowledge of child development
* High level of communication skills (written and verbal)
* Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance
* Ability to devise observational measures
* An ability to interact with children with mental health problems / disabilities and their families
* An ability to interact with staff from all disciplines
* Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
* Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs
* Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
* Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Desirable criteria
* Undergraduate research relevant to Child Psychology
* Further postgraduate training in relevant areas of psychology and / or mental health
* Experience using micro computers for data analysis, especially SPSS for Windows
* Evidence of ability to design and evaluate research projects relevant to Clinical Psychology
* High Standard of report writing
* An interest in working with children with mental health problems / disabilities and their families
* A desire to explore a career in Clinical Psychology
📝 Application support - We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
📣 Additional Information -
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.
If you have problems applying, contact
Address
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
225 Old Street
225 Old Street
OL6 7SR
Telephone
01617163181