Assistant Psychologist @ Navigo Health and Social Care CIC

Job summary

Our team is looking for an Assistant Psychologist to support the delivery of high-quality neurodevelopmental assessments for children and young people referred for concerns relating to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other neurodevelopmental differences. Working under the direct supervision of a registered Clinical Psychologist, the post holder will assist with clinical assessments, data collection, administration and scoring of psychometric measures, report preparation, service evaluation, and audit activities. The role will contribute to ensuring assessments are evidence-based, neuroaffirmative, and delivered in partnership with children, families, schools, and other professionals.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will assist and support high-quality specialist neurodevelopmental assessments as part of a multidisciplinary team to children and young people (0-18 years) and their families and carers. The assessment process involves using a range of methods including interviews, observations and standardised tests. Assistant Psychologists support with all aspects of this process and are a part of multidisciplinary discussions to decide on the outcome of assessments. The candidate will liaise with other partner agencies gathering information as part of a neurodevelopmental assessment.

They will support clinicians with administrative tasks associated with service provision e.g., preparation and production of reports and letters; photocopying; production of training packs and psycho educational resources. Additional opportunities may be available within the wider Young Minds Matter service as they arise, including shadowing, delivery teaching and training, and research.

About us

Hello!

We are Navigo. We look after North East Lincolnshire's mental health and well-being, an award-winning social enterprise that provides mental health services to the NHS and beyond.

The whole basis of our work is to deliver services that we would be happy for our own family to use.

We offer a range of mental health services, including acute and community facilities as well as specialist support such as outstanding older adults inpatient services, rehabilitation and recovery community mental health and an outstanding specialist eating disorder facility.

Ranked as one of the top UK companies to work for, we feature in the Best Companies top 100 large company list.

As a social enterprise, we do things a little bit differently and have also developed income-generating commercially viable businesses that provide training, education and employment opportunities including Grimsby Garden Centre.

Working at Navigo is not like working anywhere else. Lots of places say that, but we really mean it.

We like to work with forward-thinking people who want to make a difference.

Come and Join us !

Please note: Whilst we value all applications, if we believe an application to be AI generated, we will use a checking tool and may reject any application that has been automatically generated.

Should you require any assistance in completing this application due to a disability or other needs please contact [email protected]

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Duties

Support the assessment of children and young people referred to the neurodevelopmental service in line with the neuroaffirmative approach of the service

Gather and collate developmental histories, educational reports, questionnaires, and relevant background information.

Undertake observations of children and young people in clinic, educational settings, or home environments, as directed by qualified clinicians.

Carry out semi-structured clinical interviews with parent/carers and other professionals to gather information relevant to neurodevelopmental assessments.

Administer, score, and summarise standardised psychometric and neuropsychological assessment tools under supervision.

Produce accurate clinical records and maintain electronic patient records in accordance with professional and organisational standards.

Assist clinicians in preparing assessment reports.

Contribute to formulation discussions and multidisciplinary team meetings.

Support children and families throughout the assessment journey, providing information and signposting to appropriate resources where required.

Monitor and follow up outstanding questionnaires and documentation required for assessments.

To work at an appropriate level of autonomy and to take responsibility for managing time and prioritising workload, under the guidance of a qualified clinician.

Communication and Relationship Skills

Establish positive and professional relationships with children, young people, families, carers, schools, and partner agencies.

Communicate complex clinical information clearly and sensitively, adapting communication to meet individual needs.

Liaise with teachers, Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs), social care professionals, and healthcare colleagues to obtain relevant information.

Maintain confidentiality and uphold information governance requirements at all times.

Where opportunities arise, to support with the delivery of psychoeducational groups, teaching and training to parent/carers and external partnership organisations.

Assessment and Data Collection

Administer and score psychological and neurodevelopmental assessment measures under supervision.

Collect, analyse, assistant in the interpretation of assessments, and present these accurately.

Maintain databases to support clinical decision-making and service monitoring.

Service Development, Audit and Research

Participate in clinical audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement projects.

Assist with literature reviews and the implementation of evidence-based practice.

Support research activities within the service where appropriate.

Contribute to the development of clinical resources, information leaflets, and service user information materials.

Administrative Responsibilities

Organise assessment packs, questionnaires, and clinical documentation.

Input information onto electronic patient record systems.

Maintain accurate records and databases.

Support the coordination of appointments as required

Professional Responsibilities

Work within the British Psychological Society code of ethics and organisational policies.

Maintain professional boundaries and work within the limits of competence.

Participate in regular clinical supervision with a qualified psychologist.

Engage in continuing professional development activities.

Attend mandatory training and team meetings.

Promote neuroaffirmative, trauma-informed and anti-discriminatory practice.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Relevant paid or voluntary work with children and young people and their carers.
• Experience of working with neurodivergent people.
• Experience in developing and undertaking research, service evaluation or audits.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a clinical setting with children, young people and their carers.
• Previous experience as an Assistant Psychologist.
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of developed clinical skills related to neurodevelopmental assessments, for example observation, interviewing, psychometric assessments.
• Experience of delivery teaching or training.

Additional Requirements

Essential

• The post holder will demonstrate:
• Compassion, respect, and dignity in all interactions.
• Commitment to neuroaffirmative and person-centred practice
• Collaborative and inclusive working practices.
• Professional integrity and accountability.
• Commitment to continuous learning and service improvement.
• An interest and enthusiasm in working with children and young people.
• A high level of drive and motivation to acquire knowledge, new skills, and experiences to develop as a psychologist.
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to the work within the service.
• An ability to work effectively in a team setting, supporting colleagues and contributing to the overall wellbeing of the team.
• An ability to act professionally when organisational stresses or challenging situations may arise.
• An ability to work at an appropriate level of autonomy, seeking clinical supervision appropriately.
• An ability to meet clinical deadlines and monitor own workload under the guidance of a line manager.
• High level of computer literacy, including Microsoft applications and other electronic systems
• The ability to keep up-to-date records in accordance with Trust, HCPC, and BPS guidelines.
• Ability to remain engaged with service users and their families for extended periods of time during clinical appointments.
• Ability to sit for periods of time during clinical appointments and observations.
• An ability to adapt to working in different settings, such as a busy office environment, schools and clinical appointments.
• Ability to meet clinical deadlines in line with the service expectations.
• Ability to manage unexpected situations where service users may become distressed or heightened and in which their behaviour may escalate.
• Ability to manage situations where service users may present with differences in beliefs, values or attitudes and to handle this sensitively.
• Ability to travel independently and efficiently between various community locations and settings as required by the role.

Desirable

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Qualifications

Essential

• Upper second-class honours degree (2:1 or above) in Psychology.
• Eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society.

Desirable

• Further study in a psychological field relating to neurodevelopmental differences, or childhood development

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of neurodevelopmental differences such as autism, ADHD, Intellectual Disability.
• Knowledge of the assessment process for identifying neurodevelopmental differences in children and young people.
• Knowledge of psychological theories relevant to children and young people with neurodevelopmental differences, such as child development theories.
• An understanding of psychological theories associated with wider child work, including attachment theory and mental health.
• Knowledge of research methodologies to assist with service audit and development.
• Knowledge of child and adult safeguarding and how to manage this appropriately should a situation arise.
• Understanding of confidentiality, consent, and information governance.

Desirable

• Knowledge of some of the assessment tools used within neurodevelopmental assessments.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Navigo Health and Social Care CIC

Address

Freshney Green Medical Centre

Sorrel Rd

Grimsby

DN34 4GB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://navigocare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)