Job Title: Assistant Psychologist

Job Description

Job Title: Assistant Psychologist

Accountable to: Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Job Summary:

To support and enhance the professional psychological care of young people and families referred to the Lifelong Links model and support the psychological skills development and reflective ability of Coventry Social Care professionals.

Assisting in clinically related administration, conduct of service evaluation and audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and research projects, teaching and project work relating to the implementation of the Lifelong Links Model and in line with the model’s fidelity measures.

Providing direct psychological interventions in the form of psycho-education, reflective practice under the supervision and direction of a qualified Clinical Psychologist, working according to the plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the team’s policies and procedures.

Assisting in the provision of a systematic high quality psychology input to the designated team, working collaboratively with others to promote the psychological wellbeing, best interests and development of children and young people and the effectiveness of the service in achieving its primary task of ensuring last long links with family and friends.

KEY TASK AREAS AND PERFORMANCE

Clinical:

1. To undertake appropriate psychological assessments of young people applying psychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with young people, foster carers, family members and others involved in the young persons care.

2. To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological understanding and/or management of a client’s problems, under the supervision of the qualified clinical psychologist.

3. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups where required.

4. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency meetings.

Research/Service evaluation & Administration:

1.Be trained in and then act as a key advocate for the Lifelong Links model of delivery – ensuring that principles are adhered to and the service is delivered in accordance with the agreed model of delivery in Coventry.

2.Maintain up-to-date, accurate and detailed case file administration in line with service operating procedures, organisational protocol, commissioner requirements and statutory obligations such as Data Protection Act, and in accordance with Coventry City Council Policy & Procedure.

3.To participate and support in the peer referral and assessment process for young people referred to the pilot.

4.To assist in the design and implementation of evaluation, audit and research projects, in particular the evaluation of the implementation of Lifelong Links Model. Including working alongside and supporting where needed the independent evaluation team.

5.To develop systems for collecting data from young people, family members, professionals and clinicians prior to, and following, intervention, and for ensuring the highest possible return rates.

6.To undertake data entry, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.

7.To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist team members in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

Teaching, training, and supervision

1.To receive regular clinical supervision from a qualified Clinical Psychologist in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

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

3.To contribute to the training and support of other staff in Coventry City Council by taking the lead in the development of a training package and co-delivering training to professionals.

Workforce:

1.To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.

2.To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed and produce appropriate minutes and/or reports as appropriate.

3.To sit alongside Coventry City Council employees forming part of a single team.

Partnerships:

Communications and Relationships

1.To communicate in a highly skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment needs of young people and follow the appropriate care pathway.

2.To develop collaborative and effective working links with CAMHS to ensure that there is a comprehensive CAMHS pathway which meets the needs of young people.

3.To develop collaborative and effective working links within Coventry Children’s Social Care and relevant agencies.

General

1.To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the post holder’s professional and team/operational manager(s).

2.To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.

3.To prepare test materials and visual aids as required.

4.To undertake specific administrative duties as required.

5.To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by their Psychology Manager

6.The post holder must comply with Coventry City Council’s health and safety policy and in particular is required:

•To take reasonable care for their own health and safety at work and of those who may be affected by their actions or by their omissions

•To cooperate with their line manager and senior management, to work safely, to comply with health and safety instructions and information and undertake appropriate health and safety training as required

•Not to intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare

•To report to their manager any health and safety concerns, hazardous condition or defect in the health and safety arrangements.

The post holder must comply with the interagency procedures of the Safeguarding Boards and Coventry City Council’s policies for safeguarding children and safeguarding adults and in particular is required:

•To ensure they are aware of the signs that may suggest a child or vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected

•To report to their manager, or other appropriate manager, any concerns they may have that suggest that a child or vulnerable adult may be being abused or neglected immediately

•Adherence to Catch22 safeguarding policy and procedure is also a key role requirement.

Post holders will be accountable for carrying out all duties and responsibilities with due regard to the City Council and Catch22’s Equal Opportunities Policies.

Duties which include processing of any personal data must be undertaken within the corporate data protection guidelines.

Person Specification
Essential / Desirable
Qualifications and Training / An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society / Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Experience / Work with children with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
Experience working with trauma or understanding of Trauma models.
High standard of report writing.
Experience in analysing data and providing statistical analysis of collected data.
Experience working with Looked After Children.
Experience developing and delivering training to other professionals. / Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
Experience of working within an Education or Social Care setting.
Experience of working with care leavers.
Experience of clinically relevant research or audit.
Knowledge / High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
Ability to communicate sensitive information to young people and family, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
An understanding of the needs and difficulties of young people with mental/emotional health problems or other disabilities.
An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health and social care context
An understanding of psychology applied to health care.
Ability to use Excel and develop reports. / An understanding of children’s social care, including care leaver provision.
Experience using microcomputers for databases or data-analysis, for example SPSS for Windows.
Experience of working alongside independent evaluators.
Personal Qualities / An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
An ability to interact with young people with emotional/ mental health problems. An ability to be sensitive to young people’s needs and use an inclusive but empowering approach.
Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. / An interest in working with young people with emotional/ mental health problems or other disabilities.
Interest in improving the lives of Looked after Children.
Interest in being part of an innovation programme.
Other / Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and develop practice accordingly by attending appropriate CPD training / A desire to explore a career in Psychology.

Post Holder’s name/s: ......

Post Holders’ Signature/s: ...... Date: ......

Manager’s Name: ......

Manager’s Signature: ...... Date: ......