The closing date for completed applications for this post is 9am on Thursday 06 November 2025.

Hours: 37 hours per week.

Salary: £26,674 - £32,636 (SCP 18-27)

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Assistant Psychologist’s primary focus is to ensure the psychological needs of the young people are met and to contribute to the development and implementation of risk assessments and risk management strategies. This role supports and enhances the professional psychological care of young people within Rossie by conducting psychological assessments and interventions, both individually and in groups, under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist. The Assistant Psychologist will work independently following a plan agreed upon by the Clinical Psychologist and adhere to the Specialist Intervention Health and Wellbeing (SIHW) Team’s policies and procedures. The role includes assisting in clinically related administration, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work. All tasks are carried out under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.

The Assistant Psychologist's role is grounded in the key principles of risk, need, and responsivity, aiming to help young people build safer and more fulfilling lives. Interventions are tailored to the unique needs of each young person, ensuring that they are appropriate for their developmental stage and learning preferences. All interventions are rigorously monitored and evaluated to ensure efficacy and positive outcomes for young people. The role demands a flexible approach, with the ability to adapt strategies to suit the evolving needs of young people within the secure care environment

Clinical or Work Practice:

• Undertake psychological assessments of young people, including self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews.
• Monitor and review service performance and intervene to make improvements.
• Assist in the formulation and delivery of interventions and care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of young people’s presenting difficulties.
• Assist in the running of therapeutic groups.
• Work with other staff to assess young people and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.
• Liaise with external stakeholders to ensure the needs and rights of the young person are being upheld.
• Attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.
• Assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding for the benefit of all young people.
• Operate and deliver all work within the policies, procedures and practices at Rossie.
• Communicate clearly and empathetically to young people, families, carers, and professionals.
• Provide written reports and assessments for young people, their families, and other professional agencies.

Teaching, Training & Supervision:

• Receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
• Develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
• Contribute to the training and support of other multidisciplinary staff.
• Participate in appropriate training courses in accordance with mandatory training requirements and Personal Development Plans.

Research and Service Evaluation:

• Assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
• Undertake data collection, analysis, and the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
• Assist in the design and implementation of service development projects.
• Undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research.

General Duties

• Organise workload under the direct support and supervision of a qualified psychologist and line manager.
• Maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with the professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society policies and procedures.
• Ensure young people’s physical and emotional needs are met through a positive and supportive environment.
• Prepare reports and summaries that are accessible to young people, professionals and family members.
• Prepare test materials and visual aids as required.
• Ensure that in all aspects of professional activity, issues of diversity are sensitively considered.
• Ensure young people are appropriately consulted about their care, and empowered to express their views to develop/improve services.
• Carry out, any additional tasks and responsibilities as are reasonably compatible with this job description and its objectives.

Please note this job description is to provide a clear and concise statement of the main tasks and activities of the post, and it is not intended as an exhaustive list of every aspect of the post holder's duties.  All the above duties will be carried out in line with Rossie policies and procedures. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

 Knowledge Base (Essential):

• Child care legislation
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of vulnerable young people, including those with offending histories, adverse life experiences, and/or mental health difficulties.
• An understanding of applied and developmental psychology for care, education and health.
• An understanding of the importance of a trauma-informed approach.

Knowledge Base (Desirable): 

• Knowledge of the complexities relating to residential and secure care.
• An understanding of the need to use evidence-based psychological therapies.

Qualifications (Essential):

• Minimum of upper second class honours degree in an accredited psychology degree recognised by the British Psychological Society.
• Ability to demonstrate eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered (GBC) membership of the British Psychological Society.

Qualifications (Desirable):

• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, clinical or forensic practice and/or research design and analysis.

Experience (Essential):

• Working with individuals who have mental health difficulties, forensic histories, and/or trauma.
• Facilitating 1:1 and/or group work

Experience (Desirable):

• Experience as an assistant psychologist (or equivalent, paid, or voluntary).
• Working in a residential or secure setting.
• Working with children and young people.
• Using psychometric assessment tools.
• Using Structured Professional Judgement (SPJ) risk assessments
• High standard of report writing.
• Research and/or service evaluation within a mental health related area (in an academic or clinical setting)

Skills (Essential):

• Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with regular supervision
• High level communication skills (written and verbal), including the ability to communicate in highly emotive settings.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of ethical and professional standards as outlined by the BPS (2006) Code of Ethics and Conduct.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to maintain written records and write comprehensive reports

Qualities (Essential):

• Commitment to the welfare of young people – maximising their potential in a challenging environment.
• Empathy for young people who have experienced trauma, mental health difficulties and who have offended.
• Ability to manage distressing and challenging situations

Full Clean Driving Licence (Essential).