Assistant Psychologist - CAMHS

Role overview

This position is located at The St Aubyn Centre in Colchester, Essex, within the General Adolescent Unit for young people aged 13 to 18. The unit provides short-stay admissions for adolescents who can no longer remain safely in the community because of complex mental health needs and high-risk presentations.

The service is shaped by trauma-informed, DBT-informed and systemic approaches. It works collaboratively with young people and their parents or carers to support positive change. The psychological therapy provision includes a broad range of therapeutic groups, individual assessments and interventions, as well as family therapy assessments and treatment. The team is highly experienced, with a strong focus on service development and innovation, and has recently been recognised nationally for DBT skills groups and Positive Behaviour Support Plans. A multidisciplinary team supports the service, including social work, nursing, occupational therapy, psychiatry and education.

Main purpose of the post

The successful applicant will work closely with colleagues in the other CAMHS inpatient unit in Essex, Poplar Adolescent Unit. This role is well suited to someone who is committed to supporting young people in recovery, interested in leading and contributing to innovation, and confident in providing clinical leadership.

Working with the organisation

The employer offers supervision and support to help staff develop their potential, alongside an inclusive community with engagement events and equality or champion networks. Wellbeing support is available through mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health guidance and counselling.

Benefits

Annual leave starts at 27 days plus bank holidays and increases to 33 days after 10 years of service. The pension contribution can be up to 14.5% of pensionable pay. Staff can access discounts such as Blue Light Card, NHS discount schemes and other employee benefits. Interest-free season ticket loans are also available for travel by tram, rail or bus.

Application and employment notes

Applications may close early if a large number are received. Certificates of Sponsorship are currently being prioritised for registered roles due to allocation constraints. Applicants must provide professional references with business contact details covering the last three years of employment history; personal or character references will not be accepted.

New starters are required to pay for the initial DBS check relevant to the role, and the cost will be deducted from the first salary payment. The employer is committed to equal opportunities and especially welcomes applicants with experience of using mental health services. The organisation also holds the Disability two tick symbol and encourages applications from people with disabilities, including people with learning disabilities. Alternative formats of the application form can be requested from the Recruitment Department.

The organisation may withdraw the vacancy before the closing date if needed. Applicants are advised to monitor the email account linked to their NHS Jobs profile regularly. If no contact is received within three weeks after the closing date, the application should be considered unsuccessful on this occasion.

The role is subject to safeguarding and safer recruitment checks, with a strong expectation that staff support the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As part of pre-employment checks, the role requires both COVID vaccinations unless the applicant is exempt, where the role involves direct work in a care home or deployment to a CQC-registered care home.

Employees formally at risk within the organisation will be given priority for suitable alternative employment. If the vacancy is identified as suitable alternative employment for an individual at risk, the recruiting manager will be informed and the vacancy may be withdrawn.

Applications are expected to be written by the applicant. If AI tools are used to produce the application, it may be rejected because the application is a key part of the assessment process. Support with applications remains available for declared disabilities where appropriate.

Additional information

The post is listed as contract and on-site in Colchester, England, United Kingdom.

The salary/stipend was not specified in the source.