Assistant Psychologist

Closing date: September 29th, 2023

Job Title:

Responsible to:

Psychology Partner

Responsible for:

N/A

Hours of Work:

37.5 hrs per week

Location:

YMCA Together – South Liverpool

Salary and benefits:

Between £25,000 and £27,000 per Annum

33 days annual leave including bank holidays per annum
Paid Medicash support
Birthday Day off
Spiritual Day off
Charity day of your choice
Well-being Hours
Cycle To Work Scheme
Refer a Friend Scheme
Company Pension Scheme 4%
Funded Training Opportunities

YMCA Together has been voted No1 Charity to work for by our employees in 2022. YMCA is a registered charity and company Limited by Guarantee. We were founded in 1846 and so we build on a long history of providing a place for people experiencing challenging times in their lives.

YMCA Together is a truly value driven organisation.

Our vision is that everyone should feel safe, understood, empowered and positive for their future. We meet our vision by working within our values of Strength, Humility, Respect, Empathy and Kindness. These SHREK values run through all that we do from recruitment to how we work alongside people in our services to our partnership approach with other providers.

Our clear vision and values come together to help us in our mission to inspire and support people to change their lives by instilling hope, valuing the person and maximising potential.

Job Purpose

The post holder will work across both the YMCA Prehab service and RISE Rehab Service. The Prehab service is a residential setting for people with substance misuse issues as well as housing issues, and also offers outreach to a range of community settings including hostels, harm reduction services and criminal justice settings. The service will offer a 6- 8 week placement incorporating elements of pre-engagement and ongoing support, in a supported housing setting, 24 hours a day, 7days a week, and 365 days a year for a maximum of 8 single people at any one time. The RISE rehab service is a rehabilitation and abstinence service offering an 18-week residential rehab in South Liverpool. This service is also a staffed an accommodation-based service. We use a psychologically informed way of working underpinned by Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT). CAT offers a relational approach to recovery supporting people to think how drug or alcohol use began and how they might begin to work to understand themselves more fully in order that they can work towards, and sustain, long term recovery.

To work closely with the Psychology Team and Psychology Partner to support psychologically informed working within a Cognitive Analytic Therapy framework in teams and services across YMCA Together. This will include direct and in-direct assessment to support psychological formulation, feedback to team and MDT discussions and carrying out individual interventions as required.

To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits and projects, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, outcomes measures, teaching and project work as required.

Hours of Work

Services are staffed 24/7 and the post holder will be required to work 9-5 with the option of flexibility over mornings, afternoons and evenings across a 7-day week.

Duties and responsibilities

The specific areas of responsibility are set out below. These are subject to regular review in order to meet the changing needs of the organisation and the environment in which it operates.

Specific Duties

Direct and in-direct assessment to support psychological formulation and support planning.
Delivery of Psychometric measures and assessment tools, under supervision, as required.
Feedback in verbal and written format and contributions to team and MDT discussions.
Under supervision from Psychology Partner and nominated professionals, undertake the planning, implementation and evaluation of individual and group interventions with the aim of supporting engagement and emotional wellbeing.
Support people we work with to achieve their goals and targets as defined/ agreed within their support plans and support contracts. Ensuring that people we work with shape their own support and take part in activities.
Motivate and challenge the people we support, in the context of the psychological formulation, so they realise their goals.
Support and facilitate Reflective Practice across services.
Work alongside and signpost to partner agencies and community services as appropriate.
Observe, report and document any change to wellbeing, presentation or risk of the people you are supporting to key workers, managers and other professionals.
Taking appropriate action to keep people safe in a crisis or safeguarding situation, whilst maintaining least restrictive practice principles in line with YMCA policy and procedure.
Promptly deal with all complaints and protection from abuse disclosures by reporting to senior staff in line with YMCA Together policy and procedure.
Provide clear, accurate and good quality information in line with agreed procedures ensuring that appropriate information is shared with the line managers.
Demonstrate creativity in overcoming obstacles and a commitment to working with and providing support to vulnerable people and staff in services.
Contribute to audit and evaluation to support positive impact and the best outcomes for the people who use our services and the staff who provide services.

Health and Safety

To liaise with all emergency services when necessary.
Ensure at all times the safety of yourself and others on the premises in which you work.
To report, log and communicate all incidents to the appropriate people.
Ensure adherence to YMCA Together visitor’s policy and procedure.
To adhere to all risk management protocols.

Teamwork

Attend to all enquires and pass messages onto relevant people.
Contribute to the formulation of policy and procedures in relation to support services.
Attend and participate in regular team meetings to ensure good communication.

Professional Practice and Development

Attend regular supervision sessions with the Service Manager in accordance with the supervision contract.
Maintain good professional practice and ensure ongoing development, through use of supervision and training.
Respect the confidentiality of people we support using the service and be responsible for the security of personal and confidential information.
Carry out all these duties within the organisation’s safety guidelines.
Ensure personal records are correctly maintained.
Ensure effective communication with staff within YMCA Together.
Work flexibly to meet the changing needs of the organisation.
Undertake any other duties that may be reasonably requested.
Flexible and positive approach with all team members.
To be committed to learning and personal development both as an individual and as part of a team.
Develop and/or maintain excellent relationships and contacts with referring agencies, statutory services and wider stakeholders.
Uphold and nurture YMCA’s Equal Opportunities policy of anti-discrimination across all services.
Ensure compliance with BPS code of conduct and YMCA values, including professional boundaries and confidentiality at all times.
It is recognised that the organisation is operating in a dynamic environment and as such this job description may be varied in consultation with the post holder to reflect evolving needs of the business and changing nature of the job.

Person Specification – Assistant Psychologist

Qualifications

Essential

Minimum 2:1 degree in Psychology

Desirable

MSc Psychology
Further post-graduate training in a relevant area such as Developmental Trauma, Relational Psychotherapy or Attachment Theory.

Experience

Essential

Experience working in mental health, social care or third sector services offering support and interventions.
Experience of psychological theory in practice.
Interest in how people think and behave.
Experience of how to relate to a wide range of people, both patients and colleagues.
Sympathetic and patient attitude.
Good communication, writing and organisational skills.

Desirable

Previous experience in an AP role.
Previous experience in a Mental Health or Social Care environment.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Working knowledge of providing support.
IT literate, including proficiency in use of Word and Excel.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to relate well to people we work with, parents, professionals and staff.
Understanding of how to work alongside people in distress and those who may present as challenging or chaotic.
Ability to act with confidentiality, tact and discretion.
Ability to be flexible and to adapt to changing and challenging circumstances, operating calmly and effectively.
Ability to work supportively and co-operatively as part of a team.
Ability to show initiative, be self-motivating, formulate ideas and solutions and present them effectively

Desirable

Knowledge/experience of working within a mental health/psychology/therapy and/or legal service.
Knowledge of the Cognitive Analytical Therapy (CAT) framework.
Knowledge of safeguarding protocols
Knowledge of psychometrics and statistic

Behaviour/Attributes

Essential

Committed to improving the lives of people with complex needs.
Committed to own personal development and CPD planning.
Creative and dynamic approach with the ability to “think outside of the box” when providing solutions.
Energetic, highly motivated with a reputation of being held in high regard by peers.
Excellent interpersonal/ communication skills.
Excellent negotiation/ mediation skills.
Sympathetic and patient attitude.
Ability to work within & have commitment to YMCA ethos, philosophy and SHREK values, Strength, Humility, Respect, Empathy and Kindness.
Energetic, dynamic and self motivated.
Sympathetic and patient attitude.
Ability to travel to other locations to carry out work as required.

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If you would like to apply not directly through the website, please email your completed application form to recruitment@ymcatogether.org.uk

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