NHSCloses in 11 days

Senior Assistant Psychologist

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Poole, BH152JBView on map(opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Not specified

Closing date

1 November 2026

11 days left

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Senior Assistant Psychologist in our Community Paediatric Service. The vacancy is ideal for candidates...

The post will form a key part of the Dorset Development and Behavioural Pathway, specifically supporting the parents/carers of young people with suspected ASD. The post is intended to contribute to an efficient and supported journey for young people and their families/carers within the multiagency diagnostic pathway for ASD and related conditions. It is intended that this role will support clinicians with assessments so that their time and capacity is spent where it is needed most. The post-holder will be involved in information gathering and administering standardised assessments under supervision of the Lead Clinical Psychologist. The post-holder will be able to provide information and signpost parents to Early Help Services across Dorset which can support them further. This post is also intended to support those children and families who do not get a diagnosis but who have outstanding support needs. The post holder will need to make referrals into other services which can help. The post holder will collate and share with families and professionals, up-to-date local and national information on community and digital resources to support young people with ASD. The post holder will be supervised by a registered Clinical Psychologist working in the service.

The post will form a key part of the Dorset Development and Behavioural Pathway, specifically supporting the parents/carers of young people with suspected ASD. The post is intended to contribute to an efficient and supported journey for young people and their families/carers within the multiagency diagnostic pathway for ASD and related conditions. It is intended that this role will support clinicians with assessments so that their time and capacity is spent where it is needed most. The post-holder will be involved in information gathering and administering standardised assessments under supervision of the Lead Clinical Psychologist. The post-holder will be able to provide information and signpost parents to Early Help Services across Dorset which can support them further. This post is also intended to support those children and families who do not get a diagnosis but who have outstanding support needs. The post holder will need to make referrals into other services which can help. The post holder will collate and share with families and professionals, up-to-date local and national information on community and digital resources to support young people with ASD. The post holder will be supervised by a registered Clinical Psychologist working in the service.

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

UHD has active networks including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

Qualifications

Essential: - An Upper Second or First class undergraduate psychology degree (from a BPS accredited course); - Evidence of on-going professional development

Desirable: - Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject e.g. diploma, MSc in a clinical subject relevant to the post

Experience

Essential: - Experience of working with young people and families in a community setting; - Understanding of Child Development.

Desirable

  • Experience of working with parents/carers in a clinical capacity
  • Experience of working with children or adults who experience a range of ASD and emotional & behavioural difficulties.
  • Experience of administering cognitive/ neuropsychological assessments
  • Experience of coordinating the collection of information and organisation of meetings

Technical skills and competencies

Essential

  • Highly developed communication skills and ability to work with young people & their families/ carers during times of stress and uncertainty.
  • Good time management and ability to prioritise

Knowledge

Essential: - Knowledge and understanding in order to Safeguard children.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Awareness of personal and professional boundaries
  • The ability to instill confidence in others and in managing anxiety in other professionals and with families/carers

Desirable: - An in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by young people and their families seeking ASD diagnosis and support.

How to apply

Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.

Provenance

Source

NHS Jobs

First seen

21 October 2026

Last checked

21 October 2026

Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.

About the employer

UHD
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

NHS organisation

This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.

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