Trainee Clinical Associate in Psychology

Role overview

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust is looking for a full-time Trainee Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) to join the Community Learning Disability Team serving Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. This is a developmental post that combines supervised clinical work with a structured academic pathway in partnership with Nottingham Trent University. Successful completion leads to progression to Band 6.

In practice, the trainee will provide person-centred psychological support to adults with learning disabilities and to the systems around them. The role includes involvement in assessment, formulation, and psychological intervention work, alongside opportunities to contribute to multidisciplinary and multi-agency collaboration, service improvement, and quality improvement activity.

The postholder will be supervised by a qualified clinical psychologist and supported within a welcoming team to grow confidence, autonomy, and clinical capability. The trust also states that applications from qualified Learning Disability CAPs are welcome; if appointed, they would begin at Band 6.

This post is offered as a permanent contract for a trainee position, but continuing employment depends on successful completion of the required training programme. If the programme is not completed, employment may end.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Work as a semi-autonomous practitioner psychologist within the limits of competence and under the direct supervision of an HCPC-registered practitioner psychologist.
• Apply psychological theory, research, and evidence-based practice to reduce distress and improve psychological wellbeing.
• Support adults with learning disabilities, including people with complex needs, while contributing psychological expertise within a multidisciplinary team.
• Deliver formulation-led interventions aligned with national guidance such as NICE and relevant local pathways.
• Maintain a caseload appropriate to training stage and competence, using regular supervision to guide safe clinical decisions.
• Take part in assessment, formulation, intervention, and outcome evaluation under supervision.
• Work collaboratively with families, carers, and the wider support system.

Additional information

The advertisement notes that it may close early if enough suitable applications are received, so candidates are encouraged to apply promptly.

About the organisation

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust provides community health, mental health, and learning disability services for people of all ages. Its services operate across more than 100 settings, from inpatient wards to community locations, and the trust’s 6,500 staff support over 1 million people across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland.

The organisation says it aims to build a workforce that reflects the community it serves, follows equal opportunities principles in both employment and service delivery, and particularly welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.

Terms and conditions

The trust says information about benefits, leadership behaviours, and other recruitment details, including the use of AI in recruitment, is available in the applicant information document.

Flexible working requests, including alternative hours or different working patterns, will be considered in line with policy.

For substantive roles, new staff excluding medical staff are normally appointed subject to a 6-month probationary period.

All roles require permission to work in the UK.

If a DBS disclosure is required, the cost is paid by the individual and recovered from salary after the role starts.

Applicants who are at risk within the local NHS and who meet the essential criteria will be given preference for interview.

Contact details

Dr Peter Beardsworth
Email: peter.beardsworth@nhs.net
Tel: 07795 590 346