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Form of work
SalaryNorfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust provides child and adult mental health services, learning disability, wellbeing, older people's and eating disorder services across Norfolk and Suffolk.
At any one time, around 23,000 people in Norfolk and Suffolk are receiving care and attention from the Trust. We believe in whole life care - seeing people in the context of their whole lives, understanding the importance of good physical health, friends, family, spirituality, culture, home, work, education and a sense of purpose and achievement to experience good mental health.
Nearly 3,200 full and part-time practitioners care for our service users in hospitals, in the community and in their own homes, whilst an additional 900+ staff provide non-clinical support, including cleaning, delivering supplies, ward administration, information technology, human resources and financial services.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and want to reflect the diversity of our local communities within our teams. We welcome applications from all talented individuals with the relevant qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience.
We are committed to delivering quality driven mental health services. Every individual makes a valuable contribution. We are proud of our staff who have been commended for the care they provide. Do you value working positively, respectfully and together? If so, we’d love you to join us!
We will consider flexible working arrangements for our roles, please indicate in your application if this is something you require
JOB DESCRIPTION/PERSON SPECIFICATION
Please read the job description/person specification carefully and ensure your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience needed.
YOUR APPLICATION
It is important that you complete a formal application form as CV’s alone will not be accepted.
PLEASE NOTE: If you use a hotmail, msn or yahoo e-mail account, you will need to check your "junk" mail regularly as these email providers will divert any communication from this Trust/NHS JOBS straight into your " junk" inbox.
Job overview
Applications are invited for the post of Research Assistant Psychologist (LIMITLESS 2) to undertake research under the supervision of Dr Simon P Hammond. ‘LIMITLESS 2’ is a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery (HSDR) funded project aiming to improve the mental health of adolescents living in social care by improving the guidance available to support them.
Life story work is used to promote the mental health of younger children in social care by assisting the processing of trauma(s). NICE recommends that life story work is offered all to children and adolescents in care. However, current life story work practices are high-intensity (relying on specialist professional input over a number of months), poorly evidenced, lack standardisation and focus on younger children. As demands increase, early intervention via improving carers pre-existing practices of what we refer to as ‘Adolescent-Focused Low-Intensity Life Story Work’ offers practical ways forward yet there is little guidance in this area.
Building on learning from LIMITLESS 1, LIMITLESS 2 aims to extend existing understanding of Adolescent-Focused Low-Intensity Life Story Work and use this to co-design and feasibility test a “LIMITLESS Toolkit” that aims to help carers optimise the delivery of Adolescent-Focused Low-Intensity Life Story Work to better support adolescents in care.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will work with project team members to: (i) undertake data collection and analysis using a realist approach to further refine the LIMITLESS 1 Programme Theory; (ii) use this learning to inform the co-design of a LIMITLESS Toolkit; (iii) implement, test and refine the LIMITLESS toolkit in real-world social care settings (iv) work alongside trialists to carry out a process evaluation to generate learnings to inform a definitive evaluation.
We are looking for somebody with a Psychology Degree (2.1 or above) and is eligible for Graduate Membership of the BPS. The ability to be able to communicate with people with diverse needs and from diverse backgrounds is essential. Experience of undertaking or contributing to research projects would be advantageous.
This part time post (30 hrs per week) is available on a Fixed Term Contract for 40 months.
Working for our organisation
Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.
Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.
Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you’ll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We’re an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.
Please note that some teams will be moving to County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich from Hellesdon Hospital in the coming months. This post is included in the move. Please do not hesitate to raise any questions you have in relation to this if you’re selected for interview.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please read the Job Description Supplementary Information Form for specific information about this role.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Psychology Degree (Hons, 2.1 or above).
- Eligibility for Graduate Membership of BPS.
Desirable criteria
- Postgraduate Qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Ability to communicate with people with diverse needs and from diverse backgrounds
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems
- Experience of undertaking or contributing to research projects
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Apart from its legal duties in relation to equality and diversity, the Trust recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.
Additionally, people with disabilities that fall under the Two Ticks - Guaranteed Interview Scheme will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification).
DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECK (formerly CRB)
FOR POSTS WITH DIRECT SERVICE USER CONTACT - Please be advised that due to recent changes in the DBS Service, organisations no longer receive copies of DBS Disclosures – these are sent directly to candidates only. Therefore, it will be your responsibility, if successful, to ensure that this is taken to the appointing officer as soon as you receive it.
Alternatively, if you have subscribed to the update service, we will be able to check your status once we have your authority to do so.
The Trust has now introduced a DBS Update Service which is a contractual requirement. You need to subscribe when you have applied for your DBS clearance and there is a time limit to subscribe of 19 days after receipt of your DBS disclosure. Please ensure that this is completed within the set time scale.
This update service is an annual subscription at a cost of £13 to you. This will enable the Trust to have instant online access to your DBS record, with your consent, and so will remove the need for you to have to apply for this repeat check again.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
