Assistant Psychologist

We are The Forward Trust (formerly RAPt and Blue Sky), the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

We are looking for a psychology graduate (who has achieved the GBC), who would like the opportunity to not only make a difference in the lives of people who are experiencing homelessness by providing low level brief psychological interventions, inputting into training initiatives and assisting our senior HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist who will provide regular supervision.

The post-holder may also expect to be involved in multi-disciplinary and multi-agency liaison and involvement in other organisational activities. Continual training and development will be provided, as well as access to regular peer support, reflective practice, research and CPD opportunities through our national Psychology Directorate.

Knowledge and Experience:

Clinical Skills

• To carry out protocol based psychological assessment using appropriate psychometric measures, direct and indirect observation, semi-structured interviews under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist.
• To deliver group-based psychosocial interventions that target substance using behaviour.
• To assist in the formulation and delivery of person-centred care involving the psychological treatment and/or management of complex problems as required.
• To support the delivery of psychological interventions with due regard to issues of cultural, racial, and religious difference and sexual orientation.
• To assist in the coordination and running of psychosocial groups.
• To utilise theory, literature, and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other members of the wider team.

Teaching, Training and Supervision

• In common with all qualified applied psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision from a qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychologist in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
• To develop teaching skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of services.
• To contribute to training and support programmes and initiatives for other staff within the team.

Research

• To assist in the undertaking of audit and research projects on a supervised basis.
• To undertake data collection, analysis, production of reports and summaries and using IT and statistical programmes as required.
• To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified clinical / counselling psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and with other team members.

Leadership

• To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the Psychology Directorate.
• To maintain the highest of standards of clinical governance, ethical practice, and data protection.
• To attend meetings, where directed and appropriate, in which the service developments are planned and discussed.
  

This post is subject to a DBS check at an enhanced level.

• Training opportunities and career development
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)