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Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

About

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) is one of the largest trusts in the UK, caring for people with a wide range of physical and mental health needs. We have approximately 7,000 staff who provide healthcare to a third of London's population and across wider geographical areas, including Milton Keynes, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire.

As a Foundation Trust we involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run and our future development. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Foundation Trust please visit: www.cnwl.nhs.uk

(source: Central and North West London NHS Foundation NHS Trust website)

Contact

Address: 350 Euston Road; Regent's Place; London; London; NW1 3AX
Contact Number: 02032145700

Find out more

Jobs Website

Open

Ref: 333-J-HA-0727 Vacancy ID: 8040954

AOT Assistant Psychologist

Accepting applications until: 05-Jun-2026 17:00

Vacancy status: Open

Accepting applications until: 05-Jun-2026 17:00

Location

Gwefan: Bentley House
Cyfeiriad: 15-21 Headstone Drive
Tref: Harrow
Cod post: HA3 5QX
Major / Minor Region: London

Contract type & working pattern

Contract: 12 months (Fixed Term)
Oriau: Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Salary

Cyflog: £33,262 - £36,027 per annum incl. HCAS (pro rata if part time)
Cyfnod cyflog: Yearly
Gradd: (NHS AfC: Band 4)

Specialty

Prif leoliad: Psychology

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.

Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page

Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Swydd-ddisgrifiad a phrif gyfrifoldebau manwl

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assertive Outreach Delivery

Provide intensive outreach in line with the SOP:
- First 3 months: minimum 3 contact attempts per week, aiming for 1–2 successful contacts.
- Next 3 months: minimum 2 contact attempts per week.
Deliver flexible contact through home visits, community meetings, phone calls, texts, and occasional evening/weekend availability.
Maintain a “no discharge for DNA” approach, using persistent and creative engagement strategies.
Build strong therapeutic relationships through empathy, reliability, and trauma‑informed practice.
Provide continuity and consistency as the allocated Assertive Outreach named worker.

2. Clinical Responsibilities

Complete and update care plans, risk assessments, and safety plans in line with Trust policy.
Conduct frequent dynamic risk assessments and escalate concerns promptly.
Lead on transition planning back to routine CMHH care.
Ensure timely documentation of all contact attempts, outcomes, and risk assessments.
Work collaboratively with the Hub named worker where this is a separate role.
Deliver meaningful intervention
Use therapeutic engagement to support patients to engage.
To hold a case load of 10-15 patients.

3. Holistic Support & Multi‑Agency Working

Address mental health and physical health
Liaise with other partners regarding identified needs e.g. drug and alcohol services, social care, housing teams, and voluntary sector partners.
Support individuals to access practical help such as housing applications, benefits, and community resources.
Involve families and carers (with consent) to strengthen support networks.

4. In‑Reach to Inpatient Wards

Provide continuity of care during hospital admissions.
Attend inpatient wards to maintain engagement and support discharge planning.
Ensure safe and coordinated transition back to community services.

5. MDT Working & Communication

Participate in MDT meetings and AO huddles.
Share updates, escalate concerns, and contribute to joint care planning.
Maintain strong links with crisis services, inpatient teams, and external agencies.
Promote reflective practice and collaborative working within the team.

6. Training, Supervision & Professional Development

Adhere to relevant legislation (MHA, MCA, Care Act).
Participate in clinical supervision, reflective practice, and mandatory training.
Contribute to team learning, including sharing specialist knowledge related to your profession.
Support students or trainees where appropriate.
To participate in training relevant to post.

7. Management of Resources

Work within CNWL policies including lone working, safeguarding, risk management, and health & safety.
Ensure accurate and timely record‑keeping.
Contribute to monitoring caseloads, contact frequency, and clinical review processes.
Use Trust systems (e.g., Tableau disengagement dashboards) to support identification of risk patterns.

8. Research, Audit & Service Development

Contribute to audits, service evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.
Ensure practice is evidence‑based and aligned with the Assertive Outreach SOP.
Participate in the development of the AO model and wider CMHH pathways.
Recording caseload activity on system one and ensuring accurate recording
To report on team performance in terms of patient feedback and productivity and DNA rates.
To assist the psychologists in the development of individual or group clinical materials or training materials.

9. Building and Maintaining Relationships with Local Community

Work collaboratively with community organisations, primary care, and voluntary sector partners.
Support individuals to access community resources that promote stability and recovery.
Maintain strong links with other CNWL community and inpatient teams.

10. General

General

• Your base will be at Bentley House, however travel will be required where appropriate to service users’ homes or Northwick Park Hospital.

• To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow Trust policies relating to its management

• To respond appropriately and professionally to high levels of distress and to support others involved in such situations.

Abide by legal requirements and the professional code of conduct for your discipline.
Undertake any other duties relevant to the post as requested by senior managers.
Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of practice.

RIDING CLAUSE

This job description is an outline of the postholder’s duties and responsibilities. It is not exhaustive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the service.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI can be used as a support tool, not a replacement for the applicant’s own work. Applications must remain personal, accurate, and reflective of the candidate’s real experience. AI-generated content must not misrepresent skills, qualifications, or experience. Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct. Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited during the interview process.

Vaccination

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the UKVI points based system
Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.
If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Person specification

Qualifications

Meini prawf hanfodol

A First-class or Upper-second-class Bachelor’s degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society.

Meini prawf dymunol

Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Experience

Meini prawf hanfodol

Sufficient post-graduate experience of psychological assessment and treatment of adult clients with severe and enduring mental health difficulties with close direct supervision.
Post-graduate experience of conducting research projects or audits.
Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience.

Meini prawf dymunol

Applications from people with lived experience of mental health challenges. We see this as valuable and recognise the positive impact this experience can have on the work we do.
Substantial paid post-graduate work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities

Knowledge

Meini prawf hanfodol

Graduate level knowledge of psychological research methodology and statistical analysis.
Good theoretical knowledge of the problems experienced by and the needs of Adults with severe and enduring mental health needs and of methods of assessment and treatment.
Awareness of racial and diversity issues through attendance of relevant training.

Meini prawf dymunol

An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
An understanding of Trauma Informed Approaches (TIA) and Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF).

Skills

Meini prawf hanfodol

Skills in relevant psychological assessment and interventions that enable working as a pre-qualified practitioner with close clinical supervision.
Well-developed verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex, information to clients, families and colleagues.
Skills in providing supporting teaching and training provided by psychologists or others to other professional groups.
Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data.

Meini prawf dymunol

High standard of report writing.

Abilities

Meini prawf hanfodol

Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, participating in effective team functioning and holding team roles.
Ability to identify and follow relevant clinical governance procedures.
Ability to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions.
Ability to manage occasional emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.
Ability to communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information to people who may have impediments to understanding.
Ability to manage verbal abuse and hostility directed at self.
Ability to manage physical aggression directed at self, including use of physical interventions as prescribed by Trust policies.

Meini prawf dymunol

Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.