Assistant Psychologist

Job Overview

This role supports and enhances psychological services for children within HMYOI Feltham, delivering mental health assessments and interventions under the guidance of a qualified psychologist, aligned with the SECURE STAIRS framework.

Main Duties

• Engage in clinical governance activities and apply research skills for audits, service improvements, and research projects within the multidisciplinary team.
• Manage clinically related administrative tasks and contribute to project work.
• Conduct mental health assessments and provide interventions to clients under professional supervision.
• Work independently following agreed plans while adhering to clinic policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with external professional services including resettlement workers, youth offending services, CAMHS, and social care for appropriate information sharing.
• Support auditing, statistical data collection, teaching, and research project development.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist psychologists in the assessment of children using diverse methods such as self-reports, risk assessments, rating scales, observations, and interviews, involving complex judgments and sustained focus.
• Operate professionally in emotionally challenging environments working with clients with offending histories and mental health issues.
• Participate actively in multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Support and co-facilitate psychological interventions including individual and group therapies with colleagues.
• Work closely with senior staff to gather and sensitively communicate risk-related information.
• Maintain accurate clinical records including electronic documentation.
• Contribute to prison meetings representing the Mental Health Team and ensure follow-up on agreed actions.
• Facilitate efficient care pathways, gather collateral client information, and make community referrals in preparation for client discharge.
• Stay informed on legislation and policies relevant to the patient population and mental health field.
• Respect and incorporate considerations of diversity such as race, culture, identity, gender, and sexuality in all professional activities.

Person Specification

Experience

• Essential: Experience working with individuals facing mental health challenges, offending behavior, or disabilities.
• Desirable: Prior paid caregiving roles, experience in secure or prison environments, co-facilitation of psychosocial groups, team collaboration, and familiarity with data analysis software such as SPSS.

Training and Qualifications

• Essential: Possession or pursuit of at least an upper second-class honours degree in psychology and graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
• Desirable: Additional training in professional psychology, mental health practice, or research methodologies.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills capable of managing sensitive and emotive situations.
• Ability to convey complex information suitably tailored to clients, carers, and colleagues.
• Understanding of mental health needs and psychological applications in healthcare contexts.
• Competency in IT for database management and data analysis.

Personal Attributes

• Effective interdisciplinary communication and teamwork.
• Capacity to engage and maintain rapport with clients exhibiting severe behavioral challenges.
• Reliable independent working skills with consistent task management.
• Familiarity with organizational operations supporting patient care.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to utilize clinical supervision constructively.
• Eligibility to work within a secure facility, complying with HMPS policies and maintaining enhanced security clearance.
• Applications should be tailored specifically to the role and person specification.
• Desirable: Aspiration towards careers in Clinical, Forensic, or Counselling Psychology.

Working Environment

This position operates within a highly sensitive and secure setting, demanding professionalism in handling mental health complexities and offending behaviors.