Senior Assistant Psychologist

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Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Senior Assistant Psychologist

The closing date is 15 November 2026

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Job summary

There is an exciting opportunity to join the Multiple Admissions Pathway Project in Eastbourne, Wealden and Lewes, based in Hillrise. The MAP pathway is amultidisciplinary team who work using dialogical and systemic principles based on the open dialogue approach. This intensive pathway works within the Neighbourhood Mental Health Team (NMHT) for those who have experienced repeated crisis and require additional support. It is transdiagnostic supporting those with psychosis, complex emotional needs (CEN) and mood conditions often alongside addictions and neurodiversity. We are looking for a enthusiastic dynamic individual who works well in a team. It would be well suited for someone with experience of working with people with severe mental health difficulties and a natural empathic stance.

Main duties of the job

To support and enhance the professional psychological care of users of the service, providing psychological assessments and interventions within the scope appropriate to level of experience and training, and to undertaking related tasks to enhance assessment, intervention and evaluation within the care group. To work independently with work managed and goals agreed and reviewed through regular supervision by an HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist. To support the running of the open dialogue informed network meetings and participate in these alongside supporting family therapy sessions.

About us

The NHS is changing and with more emphasis on community-based care there's never been a better time to join us. Over the next three years, community mental health services are going to be undergoing a real transformation and you could be part of these exciting developments. Our community mental health teams will become part of a much more integrated network of services and our mental health clinicians will be central in driving the changes, in close partnership with our primary and third sector colleagues.

We recognise that working in mental health can be stressful so we prioritise staff welfare, providing regular supervision, reflective practice, mentoring, and any other support that our clinicians need to ensure their wellbeing.

We look forward to hearing from you. Please contact Dr Sally McGuire Principal Psychologist (Lead for MAP Wealden, Eastbourne and Lewes) to learn more about the role.

Details

Date posted

30 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

354-AE-21339

Job locations

Cavendish House

1 Castle Street

Hastings

TN34 3AA

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As part of the MAP team, you will work closely with the two neighbourhood mental health teams in East Sussex and enhance the care delivered to those in crisis with complex needs and a history of multiple admissions. The MAP team uses an open dialogue informed approach to support clients and aims to reduce inpatient admissions.

Clinical

1. To undertake assessments and interventions (including neuropsychological tests, self report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews of clients, family members and others involved in the clients care).

2. To assist in the development of psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.

3. To formulate and deliver care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems within settings where there may be a hostile atmosphere, challenging behaviour or high levels of expressed emotion.

4. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic network meetings.

5. To compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk and crisis plans.

6. To work with other team members to improve care practices and the quality of life of clients.

7. To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.

8. To support the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions for clients.

9. To carry out other clinical and administrative tasks as appropriate to the post holders grade.

10. To be up to date with both de-escalation, physical breakaway and PMVA techniques appropriate to the service environment.

Administration

1. To establish and maintain records and statistics concerning the service.

2. To be acquainted with, implement and maintain all relevant Trust and Psychology and Psychological Therapies policies and procedures.

3. To report immediately any incidents affecting staff, users or visitors on health service property in accordance with Trust policies.

4. To maintain and manage systems for stock control of Psychology tests, test materials and other equipment.

Professional Issues

1. To abide by the BPS code of Conduct and Ethics and the Division of Clinical Psychology Professional Practice Guidelines.

2. To maintain confidentiality in line with Trust policy

3. To participate in clinical and professional audit.

4. To participate in and contribute to Quality Assurance initiatives.

5. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As part of the MAP team, you will work closely with the two neighbourhood mental health teams in East Sussex and enhance the care delivered to those in crisis with complex needs and a history of multiple admissions. The MAP team uses an open dialogue informed approach to support clients and aims to reduce inpatient admissions.

Clinical

1. To undertake assessments and interventions (including neuropsychological tests, self report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews of clients, family members and others involved in the clients care).

2. To assist in the development of psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.

3. To formulate and deliver care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems within settings where there may be a hostile atmosphere, challenging behaviour or high levels of expressed emotion.

4. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic network meetings.

5. To compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk and crisis plans.

6. To work with other team members to improve care practices and the quality of life of clients.

7. To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.

8. To support the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions for clients.

9. To carry out other clinical and administrative tasks as appropriate to the post holders grade.

10. To be up to date with both de-escalation, physical breakaway and PMVA techniques appropriate to the service environment.

Administration

1. To establish and maintain records and statistics concerning the service.

2. To be acquainted with, implement and maintain all relevant Trust and Psychology and Psychological Therapies policies and procedures.

3. To report immediately any incidents affecting staff, users or visitors on health service property in accordance with Trust policies.

4. To maintain and manage systems for stock control of Psychology tests, test materials and other equipment.

Professional Issues

1. To abide by the BPS code of Conduct and Ethics and the Division of Clinical Psychology Professional Practice Guidelines.

2. To maintain confidentiality in line with Trust policy

3. To participate in clinical and professional audit.

4. To participate in and contribute to Quality Assurance initiatives.

5. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Honours degree at 2:1 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS

Desirable

• Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, health and social care practice, and / or research design and analysis

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with people with complex needs
• Experience of working with people with disabilities, in a health or Mental Health setting and or work with people with complex needs
• Relevant clinical and research skills
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
• Experience of group work and individual therapeutic contact
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health context
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care

Desirable

• Experience of the use of psychometric tests

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Honours degree at 2:1 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS

Desirable

• Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, health and social care practice, and / or research design and analysis

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with people with complex needs
• Experience of working with people with disabilities, in a health or Mental Health setting and or work with people with complex needs
• Relevant clinical and research skills
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
• Experience of group work and individual therapeutic contact
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health context
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care

Desirable

• Experience of the use of psychometric tests

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).

Additional information

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

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cavendish House

1 Castle Street

Hastings

TN34 3AA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cavendish House

1 Castle Street

Hastings

TN34 3AA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Clinical Psychologist

Sally McGuire

[email protected]

Details

Date posted

30 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

354-AE-21339

Job locations

Cavendish House

1 Castle Street

Hastings

TN34 3AA

United Kingdom

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