NHS Clinical Associate Psychologist Apprentice

We are pleased to invite graduate psychologists to apply for our Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) role opportunities within Devon Partnership Trust.

CAPs are an addition to the psychological workforce filling a gap between Assistant Psychologists and qualified Clinical Psychologists, and have an important role supporting the wider NHS agenda to develop and expand service provision.

Once qualified, CAPs are able to practice autonomously with appropriate support, working within their scope of practice, under the supervision of a registered Clinical Psychologist. CAPs will provide high quality, evidence-based, psychological interventions informed by formulations derived from specialist psychological measurement and assessment tools.

The CAP Apprenticeship programme will be undertaken in partnership with the University of Plymouth where an MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) is completed. It is an 18-month, full-time, training programme during which your time will be split between academic learning and work-based practice and learning.

Successful applicants will be appointed at an Agenda for Change Band 5 whilst undertaking the programme, which will transition to a Band 6 qualified CAP role in the LD service on successful completion of the clinical and academic requirements of the training programme. As this opportunity is offered as an apprenticeship, all training costs will be paid for by the employer.

The selection process will aim to recruit individuals who are committed to undertaking the training to practice in this role on completion of the apprenticeship. It is important for applicants to be aware that a Higher Education England policy change in April 2022 means individuals in NHS-funded psychological professions training programmes will normally be unable to access another NHS funded training in the psychological professions until two years after they qualify.

Therefore, applicants need to be committed to this role rather than seeking interim experience to support doctoral applications. We are particularly keen to receive applications from individuals who are committed to working in the local region, from those with diverse backgrounds, and from people who bring lived experience relevant to mental health work.

Please ensure your read the Recruitment Information document in the Supporting Documents section for important information regarding this role.

We have three posts available in the Adult Mental Health Directorate. Two of these are in Community settings with the third in the acute in-patient pathway. Further information regarding the different posts available will be given in the mandatory briefing.

You will need to be available for interview on 24th July 2026.

This advert will close upon the receipt of 30 applicants.

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people s recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile;

making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader Employer.

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Job Purpose

• To undertake a structured apprenticeship programme that includes on the job learning and assessment, personal study, academic work, research, leading to the award of the MSc in Clinical Associate Psychology.
• To undertake specialised psychological assessments, treatments and other types of clinical intervention appropriate to this level of training with individual clients/groups of clients and research activity.
• To be able to work independently, initially under supervision, on a day to day basis.
• This work will be supervised and reviewed…