Clinical Associate in Psychology

Job Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified Clinical Associate in Psychology to join our Mental Health and Wellness Team psychological provision in Barking & Dagenham. The post is a permanent 1 WTE (5 days per week) position, and the post holder would be based at Barking Community Hospital for a minimum of four days per week. This post includes working within the Barking & Dagenham Mental Health and Wellness Teams and within the Community Psychology team, providing group and individual psychological interventions and working alongside Community Psychologists to deliver community partnership projects across the borough.

The Psychological Professions team has a range of specialist interests. We value diversity and inclusion, co-design and co-delivering with experts by experience, peer workers and partnering with third sector organisations. We believe in the importance of offering a diverse range of approaches in delivering secondary care services to effectively meet the needs of the population we serve. Trauma informed care is imperative for staff and users of service alike. The successful candidate will be joining the borough at an exciting time of transformation where they'll have the opportunity to contribute to shaping meaningful services.

Main Duties of the Role
The post holder will engage with individuals under the care of NELFT services to develop a shared understanding of the complex issues the person is facing, how they cope and the impact this has on their mental, physical health and well-being and those around them (psychological assessment and formulation). Under supervision of qualified Practitioner Psychologist they will explore social and psychological interventions, and other potential options which may improve health outcomes and help clients to achieve agreed goals.

Service users seen by the post holder will include those who have experienced high levels of distress and complex mental health difficulties. Service users may present with a high level of risk to both themselves and sometimes to other people. Assessments and interventions will be delivered in a range of settings, including community, Community and Voluntary and Social Enterprises (VCSE) as well as clinics and in person, by telephone or digital platform.

The post holder would be expected to work closely with lived experience representatives, local communities and VCSEs to co-produce and co-develop services. The post holder will primarily be involved in partnership working, liaising with various stakeholders in the system, e.g. GPs, primary and secondary care mental health services, local recovery colleges, educational institutions, and the 3rd sector. The post holder will also be involved in raising the awareness of the complexity of the health and social challenges many people face and the impact this has on mental health & well-being and vice versa. A key aim of the service is to help people build resilience and feel more connected to and included in their community.

In order to maintain professional standards across NELFT services, it is expected that CAPs working with NELFT will be added to the Wider Psychological Workforce Register with the British Psychological Society, as and when this becomes possible. We sincerely welcome applications from people who have previous experience of using Mental Health services, and/or individuals who are/have been a carer for someone. We are also very interested in receiving application from people who have strong local connections to the local populations we serve.

Starting with NELFT
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

High Cost Area Supplement – Outer London
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,714 to a maximum of £5,941 p.a. pro rata for part time).

Working for Us
Joining #TeamNELFT means you'll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We're CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London and Essex. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.

The Trust has award-winning equality and diversity initiatives, along with staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest significantly in your development because when you feel valued and supported, we can deliver the highest quality care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been recognised in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and hold a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Through our staff networks and training opportunities, we strive to foster a just and compassionate culture at NELFT.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Please see JD
Desirable
Please see JD

Experience
Essential
Please see JD
Desirable
Please see JD

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details
Employer name: NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
Address: Barking Community Hospital, Barking, Essex, IG11 9LX
Employer's website: Apply through our website