Job summary

We have an incredible opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of adults in Berkshire who are struggling with the challenges of Personality Disorder with Borderline Pattern (also known as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder/EUPD).

This is a full-time, fixed-term role for an Assistant Psychologist to work within the Intensive Management of Personality Disorder and Clinical Therapies Team (IMPACTT).

You will be working across the two treatment streams: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT). Our team includes clinical and counselling psychologists, psychotherapists, CBT, DBT and MBT practitioners and lived experience practitioners. We have lots of interesting service development opportunities alongside a varied clinical role.

You will assist in the delivery of groups and the assessment and formulation of clients' difficulties. You will support administrative processes, such as updating the patient record system (RiO), writing clinical notes, as well as completing audit and service evaluation tasks. You will attend regular group and individual supervision.

Training opportunities may be available to you.

You will be based at Erlegh House, University of Reading with face-to-face therapy also delivered at the Athena Centre, Slough.

Main duties of the job

The role is carried out predominantly face-to-face, with some remote working using Microsoft Teams. You may need to travel between bases in Berkshire as required.

Staff wellbeing is paramount, and we deliver our therapies on a foundation of compassion. We are one of Berkshire Healthcare's compassionate teams, having participated in compassionate leadership training.

• To work under supervision to assist in the delivery of groups in DBT and MBT and the assessment of clients.
• To communicate sensitively and effectively with service users to promote engagement, including those that are harder to reach.
• To assess/monitor risks and act to manage these in discussion/collaboration with you supervisor or other colleagues to ensure these are appropriately and safely managed.
• To attend regular group and individual supervision.
• To ensure clinical records, letters, reports, and other data entry requirements are complete, up to date and of a good quality in line with relevant policies and are reviewed by the supervisor before being shared appropriately within the limits of confidentiality.
• To assist with audit and other service evaluation tasks across the sub-teams in IMPACTT.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Details

Date posted

30 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£29,812 to £32,715 a year per annum (Incl. of HCAS)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-MHS1176-A

Job locations

Erlegh House, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6BZ

University of Reading, Earley Gate

Reading

RG6 6BZ

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

• Prior experience of working with clients with complex presentations
• Good knowledge of Personality Disorder with Borderline Pattern/EUPD and either cognitive behaviour approaches or psychodynamic thinking
• Excellent communication skills and work well in a team
• Good administrative skills, including excellent IT skills

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, its important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.

In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award.

Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call:Harry Stileman on 0300 365 8000 or email [email protected] or Sam Ashworth on 0300 365 8000 or email [email protected] be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than theadvertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description Job responsibilities The must haves for this role: Prior experience of working with clients with complex presentations Good knowledge of Personality Disorder with Borderline Pattern/EUPD and either cognitive behaviour approaches or psychodynamic thinking Excellent communication skills and work well in a team Good administrative skills, including excellent IT skills For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, its important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey. In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted. Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed. We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call:Harry Stileman on 0300 365 8000 or email [email protected] or Sam Ashworth on 0300 365 8000 or email [email protected] be delighted to help. Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than theadvertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

• An upper second class (2:1) honours degree or higher in psychology or equivalent, which confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS)

Desirable

• Graduate membership of British Psychological Society (BPS)

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

• Can demonstrate additional interest and/or learning in relevant areas of applied psychology and mental health practice
• Evidence of an interest in pursuing a career in psychological professions

Desirable

• Undertaken additional training (e.g. practice-based training and workshops) in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, neuropsychology, health and social care practice and/or research design and analysis

Previous Experience

Essential

• Previous experience working with people with any of the following: mental health difficulties; neurological difficulties, learning disabilities, eating disorder, personality difficulties or people with emotion regulation difficulties, or equivalent within an in-patient or community setting
• Experience of audits/evaluations or other forms of research

Desirable

• Experience of providing direct care provision
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Awareness of psychological theory, practice and evidence-based psychological interventions as relevant to this role
• High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotional
• Appreciation of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health difficulties, neurological difficulties and learning disabilities
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge within a mental health and/or learning disabilities context
• Ability to appropriately communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues
• Excellent IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office including high standard of letter and report writing

Desirable

• Experience conducting service evaluation and research, particularly within a clinical setting

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Ability to interact and engage with people who may be experiencing mental health difficulties, neurological difficulties and learning disabilities
• Ability to work under supervision, using own initiative to think quickly on the spot in often challenging situations and to deliver work as agreed and managed at regular intervals
• Ability to recognise the limits of own competencies and to seek supervision and support as required to practice safely and within professional guidelines
• Able to work flexibly as required.
• Able to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position, with minimal impact on daily productivity

Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training Essential An upper second class (2:1) honours degree or higher in psychology or equivalent, which confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS) Desirable Graduate membership of British Psychological Society (BPS) Continuous Professional Development Essential Can demonstrate additional interest and/or learning in relevant areas of applied psychology and mental health practice Evidence of an interest in pursuing a career in psychological professions Desirable Undertaken additional training (e.g. practice-based training and workshops) in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, neuropsychology, health and social care practice and/or research design and analysis Previous Experience Essential Previous experience working with people with any of the following: mental health difficulties; neurological difficulties, learning disabilities, eating disorder, personality difficulties or people with emotion regulation difficulties, or equivalent within an in-patient or community setting Experience of audits/evaluations or other forms of research Desirable Experience of providing direct care provision Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Essential Awareness of psychological theory, practice and evidence-based psychological interventions as relevant to this role High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotional Appreciation of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health difficulties, neurological difficulties and learning disabilities Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge within a mental health and/or learning disabilities context Ability to appropriately communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues Excellent IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office including high standard of letter and report writing Desirable Experience conducting service evaluation and research, particularly within a clinical setting Additional Requirements Essential Ability to interact and engage with people who may be experiencing mental health difficulties, neurological difficulties and learning disabilities Ability to work under supervision, using own initiative to think quickly on the spot in often challenging situations and to deliver work as agreed and managed at regular intervals Ability to recognise the limits of own competencies and to seek supervision and support as required to practice safely and within professional guidelines Able to work flexibly as required. Able to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position, with minimal impact on daily productivity

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Erlegh House, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6BZ

University of Reading, Earley Gate

Reading

RG6 6BZ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Erlegh House, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6BZ

University of Reading, Earley Gate

Reading

RG6 6BZ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)