Job Description

Main area

CYP Assistant Psychologist

Grade

Band 4

Contract

12 months (Fixed term basis)

Hours

Full time - 37.5 hours per week (A minimum of one day per week working alongside the supervising psychologist at the West base. Regular co-location with the supervising psychologist at Crewe and/or Macclesfield, with flexibility to use centrally located facilities (e.g. Winsford or other agreed venues) where appropriate. Joint supervision sessions every other week, to support consistency, triangulation of feedback, and enhanced developmental supervision.)

Job ref

373-CYP1526

Site

Countess of Chester Health Park

Town

Chester

Salary

27,485 - 30,162 per annum

Salary period

Yearly

Closing

23/01/2026 23:59

Interview date

09/02/2026

Job overview

Join Our Compassionate LD CAMHS Team - Make a Real Difference!

We are seeking a dedicated Assistant Psychologist to join our Learning Disability Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (LD CAMHS) in Cheshire (Ellesmere Port & Chester). This rewarding role supports children and young people with severe learning disabilities and their families.



Working under the supervision of experienced Clinical Psychologists, you will contribute to psychological assessments, behavioural interventions, and the development of Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) plans and sleep strategies. You will also co-facilitate group work, attend multi-professional meetings, and contribute to Annual Reviews and safeguarding processes (TAF, CIN, CP).



You will work flexibly across service bases to support supervision, professional development, and compliance with 2024 Assistant Psychologist standards. This includes: at least one day per week at the West base; regular co-location at Crewe and/or Macclesfield, with flexibility to use central facilities such as Winsford; joint supervision every other week; and participation in in-person clinical activity for real-time observation, feedback, and reflective practice.



These arrangements ensure governance, professional protection, and alignment with 2024 standards.



Shortlist Monday 26th January and Interview Monday 9th February 2026

Main duties of the job

Main Duties and Responsibilities- Make a Real Impact!

Support Patient Care

Assist with psychological assessments using standardised tools, observations, and interviews. Support development of individual care plans and interventions under supervision. Help coordinate and deliver therapeutic groups for children, young people, and parents.

Team & Multi-Agency Collaboration

Work with education, health, and social care teams to provide integrated care. Contribute to multidisciplinary meetings and case discussions. Liaise effectively with internal and external agencies involved in patient care.

Safeguarding & Compliance

Follow Trust policies, safeguarding, and data protection procedures. Uphold professional standards per BPS Code of Conduct and NHS guidance. Maintain accurate clinical records, data management, and admin tasks.

Ongoing Learning & Development

Participate in supervision, audits, research, and service evaluations. Stay current with psychological theory, therapy models, and best practice. Engage in CPD and contribute to staff training as appropriate.

Effective Communication & Advocacy

Communicate complex or sensitive information with empathy and professionalism. Prepare clear clinical reports and maintain accurate documentation. Advocate for children and families, signposting to additional support services.

Working for our organisation

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.



We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.



Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.



As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.



All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.



Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please download a copy of the job description (see 'documents to download' section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.



At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.



CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust's Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.



Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust's Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trust's Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.



An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.



If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the 'essential' criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer 'YES' to the question: 'Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?'



Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.



The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.



Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of 16 per year applies.



New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.



Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.



Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

Person specification

#

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Good honours degree in Psychology (2.i or above). Eligibility for Graduate Membership of BPS To undertake breakaway training or equivalent following appointment.

Desirable criteria

Advanced keyboard skills Other related academic qualifications to Masters or Doctorate level. #

Knowledge and Expertise

Essential criteria

The ability to communicate complex/ sensitive information where barriers to understanding exist. For example, instances requiring empathy and reassurance. The ability to make judgements involving a range of facts or situations requiring analysis or comparison of a range of options. Also skills for assessing children/young people in one-to-one sessions, group dynamics or who are participating in research. The ability to organise straightforward tasks, activities or programmes, some of which may be ongoing. Also, the ability to plan and prioritises own workload, research programme activities; group sessions, etc. Working to Professional Guidelines. Must be capable of working within guidelines; receives regular supervision/ direction

Desirable criteria

Ability to use routinely available spreadsheet/database software (Excel, Access, etc.) Record of having published in either peer reviewed or academic or professional journals and/or books #

Experience

Essential criteria

Demonstrable relevant work experience or knowledge of working with children young people or adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.

Desirable criteria

Relevant work experience of adolescents with learning disabilities/ mental health problems Desire to progress to Clinical Training (DClinPsy)
Applicant requirements


This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Further details / informal visits contact

Name

Samantha Steadman

Job title

Team Co-Ordinator

Email address

samantha.steadman3@nhs.net

Telephone number

0151 488 8041

Additional information

If you consider yourself Neurodivergent and need help to complete your application form, please contact

cwp.recruitment@nhs.net

or telephone 01244 393100