Assistant Psychologist

Assistant Psychologist

Location: Horsham, West Sussex

Contract: Part time, permanent

Salary: £11,648 pro rata salary (£29,120 FTE)

Specific Hours: 16 hours per week (40 hours FTE)

Apple Orchard have five homes in Surrey and West Sussex. Each home is set in a rural location and offers a comfortable homely environment for young males aged 12-18 years. We currently have an opening for an experienced Assistant Psychologist to join our Therapy team, who specialise in assessment and intervention of adolescent males who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour.

We aim to help young people to develop insight into their experiences in order that they can move on from their often damaged traumatic past. We support them as they take steps to make sense of their lives by providing clear and safe boundaries and achievable goals. This includes positive reinforcement strategies such as reward charts and free time.

Central to our work is the need to provide a high level of nurturing which ensures all the basic needs of the young person are met to the highest standard. This includes providing a home that has a warm and friendly atmosphere where great emphasis is placed on building supportive relationships and positive attachments.

Duties and responsibilities:

• You will be required to have knowledge of processing and interpreting cognitive and personality assessments under the supervision of a Forensic Psychologist
• Have extensive administration skills to support all recording of work undertaken with the young male adults
• Being able to feedback to young people, therapists and staff as required
• You will need to input data, analysis and research, providing case summaries and background reports.

Essential Criteria:

• Must hold a BSc degree in Psychology or hold an MSc or be working towards an MSc as a minimum. Or have had specific Psychometric training
• Be registered with HCPC
• You would need to be willing to engage the young people in a wide range of activities and support them through their time at Apple Orchard and support the young people through their therapeutic journey
• You must be able to challenge unacceptable behaviour, provide firm boundaries and provide care which meets the needs of the individual
• Must be able to work as part of a team
• To follow delegated tasks and handovers.
• Be able to maintain policies and procedures
• Can communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Be able to write and produce well written reports
• Have the ability to engage and listen

Desirable Criteria:

• The ideal candidate would have some experience of working with teenage boys or challenging behaviour and have a willingness to further develop their skills.
• Due to the home being in a rural area, you would need access to travel. A driving licence is desirable but not essential.

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Access to our Exchange Employee Discount Scheme
• Access to wellbeing programmes via our Exchange Provision
• Promotion opportunities
• Fully funded training for your recognised qualifications

If you feel that you could use your skills to support this work through creating a caring and stimulating environment allowing for a range of opportunities and life experiences for the young people, then we want to hear from you.

Apple Orchard is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.