Clinical Associate in Psychology Apprentice | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust


Company:	Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£32,073 - £39,043 per annum
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Colchester, CO3 3BT
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	14 Sept 2026
Closing date:	14 Oct 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an apprenticeship post as aClinical Associate in Psychology(CAP) in one of our Neurodivergence Services. Clinical Associates in Psychology fill an identified skills gap between assistant psychologists and qualified clinical psychologists. They are able to practice semi-autonomously with appropriate support, working within their scope of practice, under the supervision of a registered psychologist.

Applications are invited for a Band 5 Clinical Associate in Psychology apprenticeship post. Theexpected start for the apprenticeship is November 2026. If there is a gap between starting in post and beginning the CAP training course, then successful candidates would initially start in a Band 5 Assistant Psychology role and will move onto the CAP apprentice role and job description at the start of the apprenticeship programme. The CAP Apprenticeship is an eighteen-month full-time training divided between work-based experience (up to 4 days per week) and academic teaching and study, which leads to a Masters level qualification.

Due to an anticipated high number of applicants, please be advised that this vacancy will close early.

CAPs are trained to work with a particular service user group and in this case with adults with suspected/ confirmed neurodivergencetherefore providing a more proscribed range of assessments and interventions than Clinical Psychologists. We are seeking to recruit a trainee CAP to be based in the North Essex Autism service (Holmer Court, Colchester base as well as some remote working). Our Autism and ADHD services will though be combining across the Trust to form an Essex wide Neurodivergence Service so it is an exciting time to be joining the teams.

Those appointed will workalongside qualified Psychologists, and together with MDT colleagues including nursing staff, Occupational Therapists, Consultant Psychiatrists, other CAPs and Assistant Psychologists. The role will include screening referrals for diagnostic assessments for autism and/or ADHD, carrying out initial assessments of autism and/ or ADHD as well as developing skills and learning to support with formal diagnostic assessments and facilitating interventions including primarily groups and some individual work.If successful in their training, on qualification, CAPs can apply for a Band 6 CAP role.

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.

• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.

• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.

• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.

• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.

• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

To learn more about working within our Services at EPUT, please view our recruitment videos, where members of the team share their experiences and insights into their roles and what it is like working within our Psychological Services, here at EPUT.

Please view our video link here:Psychological Services

We are particularly keen to hear from applicants with a Psychology degree who have a commitment to working in the local region, from those with diverse backgrounds and from people who bring lived experience relevant to this field of work. The Clinical Associate in Psychology role is a new psychology career path in its own right, therefore the selection process will aim to recruit those suitable for and committed to training for this role.

Please view our video link here:Psychological Services

Please contact Dr Anna Orchard, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, at annaorchard@nhs.net if you wish to discuss the posts.

For a detailed list of responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

We understand that people might use digital AI solutions to support with aspects such as spelling and grammar checking but we are interested in hearing about and understanding the real you so the content of the application should be your own work that you will be able to discuss in interview.This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

This advert closes on Tuesday 15 Sep 2026

Apply for this job