About this role
Job summary
We are looking to recruit two band 4 Assistant Psychologiststo work in the Suffolk Children and Young People's Eating Disorders Service.
These posts are a fixed-term contract for two years commencing in August 2026. The successful applicants will be enthusiastic, motivated, committed to personal and professional development and able to engage with young people with complex mental health difficulties and their families. They will be working as part of a friendly and dynamic multi-disciplinary team under direct supervision from an experienced Clinical Psychologist.
Please note one role is based in Ipswich and the other based in Bury St Edmunds.
Main duties of the job
The remit of the team is to work withyoung people presenting with complex mental health difficulties in the context of an eating disorder and associated levels of risk. We take a systemic and recovery-oriented approach to understanding and working youth mental health, incorporating therapeutic approaches such as CBT, ACT and DBT.
Thisrole will involve providing low intensity, structured interventions; developing and coordinating therapeutic resources within the team; supporting Lead Practitioners in their therapeutic work with clients; co-facilitating workshops and groups; carrying out clinical evaluation of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and audit; and supporting with clinical research.
Experience working with young people or families within mental health would be beneficial.
About us
Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.
Why work for us?We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about
Benefits included with this role are:-
NHS pension Agile working opportunities a comprehensive in house & external training programmes Generous Relocation/Removal Package starting annual leave of 27 days per annum increasing to 33 days pa based on length of service (plus paid bank holidays) staff physio service NHS discounts and many more. Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing their experiences and learning from each other.
Job description Job responsibilities
This post is community based and may involve independent travel to often rural locations. The post holder will therefore need a driving licence and access to a reliable vehicle.
As described above, delivering brief interventions such as 'living with emotions', 'body image' and 'anxiety management'.
Completing 5P formulation work with Nursing staff.
Completing all clinical paperwork in a timely manner.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities see first section and job description.
This role will include regular supervision from an experienced Clinical Psychologist.
In your application please include why a formulation is helpful, in no more than 100 words.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
A BPS accredited degree in Psychology
Experience Essential
Experience of quantitative research
Desirable
Experience of research in the NHS
Skills Essential
Skills using microcomputers for databases or date analysis, especially SPSS for Windows
Desirable
Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients and colleagues.
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge of mental health An understanding of psychology applied to health care
Desirable
An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities An ability to apply existing knowledge to a mental health context
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Address Resource Centre
Walker Close
Ipswich
IP3 8LY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)